Elizabeth Varlet

4 Stars

Consistently good writing with a sexy set up and topical angst that didn’t veer off into too much protracted melodrama.

Now it’s been a while since I read book 2 (Dark & Dazzling) which I equally enjoyed but I will say, that these types of tropes I’m not as gaga for as I used to be. However, this did not disappoint.

Granted, Driver does not discriminate whatsoever in who he’s attracted to and though he mistakes Tam for a girl initially, Tam being a man doesn’t deter Driver from pursuing him hard.

Tam on the other hand doesn’t have any inclination to be chased due to a terrible brutal history but you know, when a charismatic guy such as Driver pulls out all the stops, how long can Tam reasonably resist? Not very.

So ensue a playful, weighted back and forth with several obstacles that are eventually conquered. Tam’s trauma was never minimized but he’s slowly charmed (and so was I) by the persistent Driver, who was so very very hard to resist. Driver too, has his own demons and sad past and he can’t seem to not run away when any responsibility or obligation or feelings come into play, so just know he’s going to do some stupid and hurtful things until he gets his head straight. When he does, it was a lovely thing.

Overall, Varlet brings the feels, the romance, and the smex, and though this type of storyline has been done many times over, I still enjoyed myself quite nicely if I do say so myself!
… (más)

Mad & Marvelous by Elizabeth Varlet
Sassy Boyz #4

I read and loved the first book in this series and seem to have missed the second and third. This book can easily be read without reading any others in the series.

The Sassy Boyz is a troupe of male dancers that are sometimes mistaken for women. They are unique, entertaining, edgy and intriguing whether on stage or off. As Hop Lovette dances he loses himself in the music. He is a creative soul but in some ways tormented. He is waiting for his boss, Rafe Marson, to recognize who he is as they do have a past. In the past he has taken chances and lived for the adrenaline rush but has grown into himself for the most part. There is still one aspect of his life and being that he has not really embraced and Rafe helps him with this…eventually.

Rafe runs and co-owns the nightclub Switch. He is working hard to get enough money to purchase the club outright and get out from under the thumb of a man he dislikes but cannot seem to get away from. His family and business is important to him – so important he doesn’t really have time for a life outside of work.

This is definitely not your vanilla love story with Rafe as the Dom but it is also a story of caring and sharing and learning with both men having needs that are met by the other. It may be hard for some to relate to but as not all loves are the same there is a need to have love stories that vary, too.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Will I read other books by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (más)

Fitch and Ansel…an unlikely couple but with oh so much potential!

At 23 Ansel Becke has had a very rough life. As the story unfolds his demons become known and his mode of self-medicating to get away from said demons emerges. His friends, the Sassy Boyz Dancers and Suze, are there for him and have become a pseudo-family or pack for one another. I do want to hear the stories of Liam, Tam, Azariah and Suze and hope they will appear in future books. Ansel is true to his vision of himself but really doesn’t expect to love or be loved for the person he is. He does a lot of growing in this book.

Fitch Donovan is nearly 30 when he meets Ansel. He has taken his sister, Megan, and her friends to celebrate her 21st birthday. He is smitten by the tall blonde in the dance troupe and still drawn when he realizes she is really a he. Egged on by his sister a lap dance that will change Fitch’s life is given to him by Ansel. A kiss is just a kiss…until it is something more…

Fitch is conflicted due to having always identified as straight but when a second encounter with Ansel leaves him just as intrigued as the first he decides to follow his feelings and see what will happen. (I have to say that having a lesbian sister who has confided in him and discussed LGBTQ issues with him has left him more informed than most straight men.)

I enjoyed this story. I loved Fitch. I was drawn to Ansel. I want to know what will happen to the Sassy Boyz and hope to see more of Lars and Suze in future books of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars… (más)