Title: The Uncertain Customer
Series: The Garden Series, #1
Author: Pearl Love
Genre: Historical Gay Romance
Length: Novella (80 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 23rd 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Devon Wilcox, the privileged fifth son of a viscount, has everything a man could want … except being gay in a time when such deviant behavior could land him in prison. He tries to console himself with the denizens of society’s underbelly, but frequently ends up the victim of those who’d rather take advantage of his desperation. Fortunately, his best friend and secret object of infatuation, Sir Wallace Church, comes to his rescue. Wallace tempts him with the promise of high-class entertainment at a mysterious boy brothel called “The Garden.” Situated in the heart of mid-Victorian London, The Garden offers an array of choice morsels, beautiful young men named after flowers. There, Wilcox finds not only the perfect bed partner for the evening, but the chance to gain his most ardent heart’s desire.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4909
Review: Devon Wilcox is in love with his best friend, Wallace Church, and has been for close to fourteen years, since their first day of college. It’s a secret he holds dear. Both men carry a persuasion for the same-sex that only they and their random lovers are privy to. Wilcox doesn’t mind sharing stories of his conquests and the sometimes harrowing situations it leaves him in with Church, but he has never told him how he feels about him, until now.
Church learns of a club that caters to his and Wilcox’s particular fancy and makes them an appointment. The Garden offers a wide variety of young men to suit any man’s fancy, and the owner awards Church and Wilcox with two of his most beautiful, delicate flowers for the evening. Wilcox is uncertain about almost every aspect of the evening’s events along the way, but each time he’s convinced. The one thing he is absolutely certain of is his feelings for Church and the obvious reciprocation when they finally share their first kiss.
What begins as a safe rendezvous with a couple of chance strangers, transforms into Wilcox deepest fantasy coming to life. I adore historical romance. The time period, the phrasing of words and sentences, the clothes and the scenery. And this short story did not disappoint or deviate from any of the aforementioned attributes. Wilcox and Church are very much the proper gentlemen, aside from being in love with each other and both being men in a time when it could get you killed. The foursome aspect was quite a surprise, but there is so much passion and tenderness weaving its way around the bedroom that I was completely mesmerized by the scene.
I know I usually say short, sexy and steamy… my three favorite colors. Well, this was short, passionate and heart warming… and these three are a close second! Just a fast, fun read that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I loved it!
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
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