3.75 out of 5 stars
Ebook. 214 pages. Published June 30th 2015 by Samhain Publishing
Blurb:
All the world’s
a stage…but real-life lessons are hidden in the heart.
Tristan’s in Shamwell for one last summer of freedom before he joins the family
firm in New York—no more farting around on stage, as his father puts it. But
the classically trained actor can’t resist when members of the local amateur
dramatics society beg him to take a role in their production of A Midsummer
Night’s Dream.
Especially as he’ll also be giving private acting lessons to gorgeous local
handyman, Con, who’s been curiously resistant to Tristan’s advances. Tristan’s
determined to get Con in his bed—not only is the man delicious, there’s fifty
pounds riding on Tristan’s success after a bet made with his drama school chum
Amanda.
Con’s never dared to act before. A late-diagnosed dyslexic who had a hard time
at school, he’s always been convinced he’d never be able to learn his lines—but
with Tristan helping him, he might just be in with a chance. Trouble is, the last
time Con fell for a guy, he ended up getting his heart broken, and with Tristan
due to leave the country in a matter of months, Con’s determined not to give in
and start anything that’s bound to finish badly.
Just as Tristan thinks he’s finally won Con’s heart—and given his own in
return—disaster strikes. And the curtain may have fallen forever on their
chance of happiness.
Warning: contains a surfeit of Bottoms
and asses, together with enough mangled quotations to have the Bard of Avon
gyrating in his grave.
Likes:
- The cast of characters.
- The slow burn that kept me interested.
- Seeing a glimpse of Rob and Sean from the last book.
- That Shamwell as a town was expanded.
- All the quotes from plays.
- J.L. Merrow’s wonderful writing voice.
Dislikes:
- Both Tristan and Con could have grown more as people.
- Some things that had more of an impact on the characters could have been expanded on while others that had less impact could have been made less important.
- Both Con and Tristan had their annoying bits.
I really did enjoy this book, which was why I had such a hard time rating it. It was a cute, fun, fluffy read without much of that rip-your-heart-out angst. Sure, the characters had their issues, and their fair share of drama, but you really got the feeling that they would make it work out in the end somehow (even knowing that, since this is a romance book, of course they would work it out and get together).
I am a fan of opposites attract romances, and this one worked well. Both Tristan and Con have things they need to work on, and they both have a lot to give. Their strengths and weaknesses match up very well. They’re not a perfect couple, and I feel like their romance is on less firm of a footing than Sean and Rob’s from the previous book, but I did like watching them get together.
I was surprised when reading other people’s reviews how many people hated Tristan and loved Con. I found them both to be imperfect but ultimately redeemable.
Tristan is self-absorbed in a way only an actor from a wealthy family can be. He honestly doesn’t look around himself too often at other people and how they live. And his wealthy upbringing shows in a lot of little ways. But one thing I will say in Tristan’s defense is that he’s never intentionally mean or cruel. He’s oblivious and puts his foot in his mouth a number of times, but he also knows when he’s messed up and tries to make amends.
Con is something of a sweet and gentle giant. One with a huge chip on his shoulder and paper thin skin due to how he’s been treated in the past, both by his mom and by the public school system. Con has such low self-esteem that it makes him think the worst of Tristan, assuming that Tristan is making fun of him when they first meet, which leads Con to act like a jerk.
Despite their many faults, it’s clear that these two very different men can help each other. Because when it comes down to it, they’re both looking for a forever home where they can be happy.
The cast of characters, while great, were something of a distraction at times. I thought that both Con and Tristan’s family lives could have been expanded on, because both clearly had such profound effects on the men they became.
The main character from the next book in the series, Patrick, was introduced, and I can’t wait for the next installment of the series!
Be sure to check out the review for the other three books in the series – Caught!, Out!, and Spun! as well as the series review.
Love is Love Reviews 