Strawberries and the Beast by April Moone

Title: Strawberries and the Beast

Author: April Moone

Genre: Contemporary, Japan, Yaoi

Length: Novel (200pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (10th October 2011)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Reckless, flamboyant Keigo is bisexual. Blunt, aloof Masaki is straight. Their conflicting personalities make them unlikely friends, but after some careful maneuvering on Keigo’s part and one strawberry-flavored kiss, Masaki gives more of himself to Keigo than he ever thought possible. More than he’s willing to share with his girlfriend. But Masaki’s fear of commitment threatens to shake their rocky relationship to pieces.

Keigo’s new feelings for Masaki are confusing enough even before his on-again, off-again lover, Kaname, blows back into town. Kaname is a manipulative beast, demanding Keigo’s undying fidelity in return for his cruelty, and Keigo’s fragile relationship with Masaki cracks under the weight of his presence. If Keigo really wants to build a life with Masaki, he’ll have to discover the strength to free himself of Kaname and convince Masaki to be with him forever.

Warning: Some readers may find some of the content offensive e.g. Abuse, rape and violence.

Review: Masaki is a bad boy always in getting into fights.  He is brash and plain-spoken.   When Keigo starts hanging around him he is brash, tries to ignore him and tries to drive him away when that fails he begrudgingly accepts him as a friend. Keigo noticed Masaki some months ago and finally found the courage to approach Masaki as he gets to know him more his feelings develop until he can’t resist making a play for him.

This is a very good story that at times makes you cringe when you see the way that Kaname treats Keigo. Keigo learns that he deserves more than what he has received at the hands of Kaname when he thinks about his relationship with Masaki and how Masaki treats him even when they are just friends. Masaki panics when he realizes that he feels a lot for Keigo and reacts by lashing out. Masaki doesn’t like to let people close as he feels like his father deserted him and his mother and then his mother died as well, he also had a difficult childhood because he was always bullied.

I enjoyed this book as it was angsty and is a gay for you, the storyline was good and the emotions and reactions of the two MCs were good. I really liked Keigo and his bravery in standing up to Kaname even though he is still stuck in that situation. Masaki’s description of the relationship between Keigo and Kaname was spot on. I will admit that you don’t always like these two main characters as sometimes Keigo comes across as spineless and weak (you want to smack him and tell him to grow a pair) and Masaki comes across as a heartless b*****d (you want to bang his head against a wall).

I will recommend this to those who like yaoi, hot sex, angst, conflict and an eventual HEA.

 

 

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