Title: Paulie
Author: John Inman
Genre: Erotic Romance / Humor
ISBN: 978-1-62798-481-2
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 6th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5~4 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: To the casual observer, Paulie Banks lives the perfect life. After all, he’s young, handsome, and rich. But Paulie has a secret. He’s madly in love with Ben, his old college roommate—and Ben is straight! Now Paulie has arranged a two-week reunion with his three closest friends to rehash their college years and get to know each other again. Jamie and Trevor are coming, along with their new lovers. And to Paulie’s amazement, even Ben has accepted his invitation.
Beautiful Ben. The one non-gay apple in the old college barrel. Paulie will soon find out if Ben has forgiven him for overstepping the bounds of friendship on the last drunken night they spent together.
With his La Jolla mansion spotless, a stunning new houseboy hired for the duration, and his heart pounding in both fear and anticipation, Paulie welcomes his old friends back into his life. Thanks to a whole lot of liquor and a clothing-optional dress code, boy, do the festivities begin!
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4546
Review: And it starts with a humor punch. Did I mention this is a John Inman novel? No? Well, this is a John Inman novel people. It’s hilarious! Period!
The main idea behind the story is one that has been told a lot. Four college friends inseparable, two already in a relationship, the other two can’t ever be because one of them is straight. Yes, this is a pinning for my straight friend story and while I dislike the drama sometimes this concept brings this is not the case.
Paulie has had a crush on his best friend/roommate for years. On the night before graduation, he and his friends get nearly shitfaced, making him lose all inhibitions. The result, an amazing intimate moment between he and Ben, a moment Paulie will never forget because it’s his dream come true, yet a moment that will turn this night of wonder into a night of misery in his memory from that point on. Because that was the last time his spoke with his best friend, the last time he saw him too for the rest of two years.
So Paulie isn’t sure Ben will accept his invitation for two weeks on his mansion two years later. A reunion with his best college friends, and a chance to clear things between him and Ben. A second chance to regaining their lost friendship.
What seems like a heavy idea, an emotional read that might drag you into tears even, is masterfully turned into one hilarious read that will make you laugh hard, gasp for breath, hurt your face with the permanent grin and shake your head to the surreal and overwhelming sexual antics of seven gay men in a wealthy mansion with free pass to booze. The emotional parts are balanced excellently with laughs and giggles, the sexual heat is turned on high, and the satirical vibes spice things up making you have one hell of a ride and thinking hell yeah, I needed this book by the time it’s over.
So here, you have it in a nutshell; you want a book to make you smile and laugh your head off while also being damned hot and sporting some stunningly gorgeous men? This is that book. My only hang up is the fact that the author has a special love about oral, and while that is described adequately, there is not much other action going on, and if there is it’s skipped with light descriptions. Yeah, it’d be nice to see something more on that area in future books.
Overall, this was yet another freaking hilarious book, one I strongly recommend and ensure it will put a smile on your face.