Title: Worth Waiting For
Series: Dare to Dream, #3
Author: Bea LaRocca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (246 pages)
Publisher: Siren Publishing (September 3rd, 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: When Nick Stevens walked into the office, Marcus Anderson realized that he’d found the man of his dreams…until he learns that Nick is already taken. Determined to make the best of an uncomfortable situation, Marcus tries to keep a polite distance, maintaining a strictly professional relationship with his co-worker as he struggles to keep his personal desires to himself. Until the night that he finds Nick alone in a bar, hurt, angry, and too drunk to stand on his own.
In order to help him, Marcus must put his personal feelings aside so that he can be the friend that Nick needs. Not entirely sure that he can pull it off, he helps Nick get home, tucks him safely into his apartment, and watches over him through the night. Convinced that Nick will never see him as anything more than a co-worker, he resigns himself to his fate. That of being a man who is permanently relegated to the “friend zone.”
Until Nick kisses him that is…
ISBN: 978-1-63258-237-9
Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/worth-waiting-for-larocca
Reviewer: Prime
Review: Worth Waiting For is the third book in the Dare to Dream series. Bea LaRocca has recommended that the series is read in order, but I will admit that before reading the book I’ve not read books one or two. The first two books, I’ll add, are M/F romance books and those characters and their stories are referred to in this book.
In saying, though, I didn’t get confused and it was easily enjoyed. Yet, I think for this story to go up a level in the “wow” factor, reading the first two books would be a good idea. Claire and Kate from the first two books are also Marcus’s best friends as well as colleagues at the agency and we do get a bit of back-story. But, for people who like details, I think it wouldn’t hurt to start from the beginning. After all, in thinking on things, Marcus has strong friendships with the women of the books 1 and 2. Again, though, if you don’t like M/F, I had no problems catching with things in this one.
Nick and Marcus are wonderful characters with a sizzling attraction and a very realistic feeling relationship. Nick is a lawyer at a literary agent in New York. He had moved to New York reluctantly to be with his boyfriend, who is also a lawyer. Marcus also works at the literary agency with Nick; he’s the PA to his boss and best friend, Claire. The two are attracted but because of Nick’s relationship, they tend to avoid each other at all costs. Although despite the fact they try to avoid each other, it’s clear from the start that they do share a rapport that neither of them is willing to look into while Nick is in a relationship.
Nevertheless, when they finally get the opportunity to be together and finally throw caution to the wind, we get some pretty steamy sex scenes. Both men are strong, so it was exceedingly nice to read a book that wasn’t about a tough guy and a twink. I also like the fact that these strong men are not afraid of their feelings and are not particularly afraid to fall in love with each other. I like to think it’s because Bea LaRocca has written to be essentially kindred spirits that recognise each other as such.
I’m a bit torn on one of the main plot point when it comes to Nick post breakup and this part of the plot is tied up in the epilogue. I call it a main plot point because this is fuelled by Nick’s breakup and influences the start of his relationship with Marcus. The event of Nick going to see a doctor post breakup comes across as sensible and not vitally important to the plot, although it was mentioned enough times to raise suspicions, and then it becomes the subject of the epilogue. It is an important point because it highlights Nick’s trust issues.
I think my problem is, and I hope this makes sense, that although it never came across as particularly important it becomes important in the end, which is when you realise that Nick did have some major trust issues. I guess my problem here has to do with editing or perhaps I just fixated and over analysed something everyone else doesn’t place on the same level as I do.
Regardless, as I said earlier, the plot feels realistic and it was easy to enjoy and get caught up in Marcus and Nick’s story. Both men are incredibly sweet and strong in their own way and the sexual tension is just as strong. They both have a few pleasant hidden qualities too.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *