Title: Plan B
Author: S.J.D. Peterson
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (200pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (6th February 2013)
Heat: Low – Moderate
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Danny Marshal has always lived his life out loud, but his androgynous appearance is only a small part of who he is. One night at a frat party, Danny meets Lance Lenard, football jock and apparent straight guy. Lance is shocked when he’s immediately attracted to Danny’s feminine side. Danny is happy to be the subject of Lance’s first man-on-man experiment—until Lance begins to struggle with the fact that despite his appearance, Danny is indeed a man.
Lance’s whole life has been focused on his goal of playing in the NFL, and he knows those dreams will be smashed if anyone finds out about his little secret. Although Lance has grown to crave Danny’s touch, he’s not willing to give Danny what he’s grown to crave: a boyfriend who’s proud to love him for every flamboyant and snarky cell in his body.
Life sends Danny and Lance in different directions, each of them focused on his respective Plan A. But the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3555
Review: Danny doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks of him. If he wants to wear makeup, high-heeled boots and dress flamboyantly, then he will; he has firm plans for what he wants from life, and that life involves the theatre and NOT a jock who seems to have a kink for feminine men. Lance has his own life plans, the NFL, but his attraction to Danny is confusing him, being gay would ruin all his hopes. Their plans and needs rip them apart… but what happens when Plan A doesn’t go according to plan?
This is quite a good story of a straight jock and a gay theatre student becoming involved, but their plans and dreams stopping them from taking it further. Danny is a great character who lives life to the full. Meeting Lance throws him though, because there is just something about the man who has snagged Danny’s attention. Lance is a character that we don’t get to know quite as well because everything we learn about him is from Danny’s POV, and that view is slightly tainted by Danny’s feelings. The storyline is great and plays out nicely, while the writing is smooth and well-paced, and there’s some great emotional tugging of confused feelings, angst and love.
I really did enjoy this story and watching as Danny and Lance danced around the truth between them. Both of them knew, from the beginning, that with each of their plans, there would never be a future for them. But, knowing and being able to protect their hearts are two different things, and there is only one thing that can be done. The conflict that Danny goes through will touch your heart, falling for the jock that may never be able to admit he’s gay is something he never wanted, but he won’t live in the closet or deny who he is. Their years apart haven’t changed the feelings for either of them, and after an explosive confrontation, they just might have the timing right where Plan A can turn into Plan B.
Okay, for some of you this story will be perfect just the way it is, but, and I hate to say this, I wanted Lance’s story as well, his turmoil, his confusion and his heartbreak because although it was great from Danny’s perspective, it would have been brilliant to have had Lance’s as well. This story is about two young men finding a love that interferes with their life plans, but we only get one side of that story, we see it all from only one POV and although I thought Danny was great, he wanted it all and on his terms, there was no compromise.
I will recommend this to those who love straight jocks going gay, a gay guy wanting more, conflicting plans, some angst, some hot sex and eventually a very happy ending.
This one sounds good!