Title: The Guy from Glamour
Series: The Guy Series
Author: Skylar M. Cates
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (236 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 9th, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4Hearts
Reviewer: Eli/Mandingo
Blurb: Anthony Carrino loves his big, gregarious Italian-American family, even if his sisters are interfering, and his dad, the local sheriff, knows everything going on in town. He’s happy as a middle school guidance counselor. Despite helping kids and their parents fix their problems, Anthony can’t manage to get his own love life right. If only everyone would stop calling him the “nice” guy.
Dean Pierce doesn’t do relationships. A tough-minded military man, he is dedicated to his job as a Night Stalker, flying Chinook helicopters and not speaking much to anybody. He certainly doesn’t want to deal with a mess of emotions. But when tragedy strikes, Dean finds his hands full with his troubled niece, her irresistible guidance counselor, and a meddlesome family, which includes a rather large puppy.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4557
Review: Dean Pierce is safe and secure life he has built from himself in the military. Tragedy has flung him into being a parent and into the path of exactly the type of man. He needs to find to be with in order to be true to himself. The story takes its time to show how damaged both men are from their respective life experiences; and, how they can each help each other to become happy and whole. Both men must trust each other and learn how to build a life together. And while the men appear vastly different when they are first presented, they are perfect matching puzzle pieces.
Nestled within this story is how we are impacted by our families or the lack of them. Family is who has made Anthony the man who can teach Dean how to become his niece’s family. Dean’s poor family life is what makes him know that he must be there for his niece even if it means giving up everything that he knew in his life before. The true impact of this is seen as Dean builds a relationship with his niece and she becomes herself a happy and whole person and he learns to become a parent. It is Anthony who shows Dean how to allow himself the ability to not only feel to but also show the deeper emotions that will be necessary to bring about the transformations for both his niece and himself.
Anthony and Dean will become friends and then lovers. Their romance is warm and touching and the reader roots for both men to be able to always be together. Anthony because he so deserves to find a good man who wants him just for himself and Dean because he’s been so cut off that being loved is a gift he will cherish. Often in romances, the reader is rushed through the life scenes that will serve to ensure that the reader roots for the HEA of the two men. This book took the reader on the journey that both men had to go on in order for them to be happy and healthy together. Great characters, both in Dean and Anthony, as well as the ensemble cast of family and friends. Lots of heart. There might be a few tears. A very endearing read.