Title: Papi
Author: J.P. Barnaby
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (27pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10th August 2011)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2 1/2
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Kyle Lang just got out of a marriage that lasted too goddamned long. He knew when he married her that he shouldn’t have. For the last few years, he’s been haunted by daydreams of the perfect feel of another man’s skin. The problem is, the bar scene isn’t working so well for him. When Kyle picks up Jesse, an eighteen-year-old illegal who turns tricks for cash, he finally finds something to scratch that desperate itch. For Jesse, who is only gay-for-pay to support his sister, it’s the first time he’s ever been aroused by another man’s touch. The consequences will change his whole world.
A Bittersweet Dreams title: It’s an unfortunate truth: love doesn’t always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.
Review: This one certainly lives up to the name Bittersweet Dreams. It started really well with Kyle being slightly nervous about exploring sex with a male and Jesse (who isn’t gay) was only turning tricks so he and his sister could survive in America.
The sex between the two is scorching, Jesse enjoys it for the first time and Kyle seems to love it too.
My only problem was the ending as I really don’t think that I was supposed to burst out laughing at how ridiculous it was, because in my country it would be Kyle who would be in more trouble than Jesse.
And honestly the blurb for Bittersweet Dreams is incorrect if this story is anything to go by as there is no love, just pure sex.
So I would recommend this if all you wanted is a quick sex fix and didn’t mind too much about how it ends.