Waiting on Wednesday (181)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

By Monica Murphy
Publication Date: May 3, 2016

Darkly sexy, emotional and forbidden, a woman unwittingly falls in love with the son of her abductor. The conclusion of a two-book contemporary romance series by New York Timesbestselling author Monica Murphy.

Lies hurt. Lies destroy. I tried my best to understand why Ethan kept his secrets but it was so hard. Until I realized that I couldn't deny myself any longer -- I needed to be with him. We needed each other. Despite my family's wariness, the media's fascination with us, the fact that his father still has a stranglehold on our lives, we belong together. No matter what. I will never let Ethan go. But sometimes love destroys us too, and we're too weak to banish the demons. Especially when our demons are determined to ruin us... 

By Amy Lane
Publication Date: April 18, 2016

One year ago, actor Connor Montgomery lost the love of his life to a drunk driver. But what’s worse for Connor is what he still has: a lifetime of secrets born of hiding his relationship from the glare of Hollywood. Unable to let go of the world he and Vinnie shared, Connor films a drunken YouTube confession on the anniversary of Vinnie’s death.

Thankfully, the video was silent—a familiar state for Connor—so his secret is still safe. He needs a fresh start, and a new role on the hit TV show Wolf’s Landing might be just that.

The move to Bluewater Bay may also mean a second chance in the form of his studio-assigned assistant. Noah Dakers sees through Connor’s facades more quickly than Connor could imagine. Noah’s quiet strength and sarcastic companionship offers Connor a chance at love that Hollywood’s closet has never allowed. But to accept it, Connor must let Vinnie go and learn to live again. 


By Kylie Scott
Publication Date: April 19, 2016

The last thing Vaughan Hewson expects to find when he returns to his childhood home is a broken hearted bride in his shower, let alone the drama and chaos that comes with her.

Lydia Green doesn't know whether to burn down the church or sit and cry in a corner. Discovering the love of your life is having an affair on your wedding day is bad enough. Finding out it's with his best man is another thing all together. She narrowly escapes tying the knot and meets Vaughan only hours later.

Vaughan is the exact opposite of the picture perfect, respected businessman she thought she'd marry. This former musician-turned-bartender is rough around the edges and unsettled. But she already tried Mr. Right and discovered he's all wrong-maybe it's time to give Mr. Right Now a chance.

After all, what's wrong with getting dirty? 

Starstruck by L.A. Witt

*** 1/2

Hollywood is full of dirty secrets, but Carter refuses to be Levi's.

Retired action star Levi Pritchard has made a quiet life for himself in the sleepy logging town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. But then Hollywood comes to film the wildly popular television series Wolf's Landing, and Bluewater Bay isn't so sleepy anymore. His retirement doesn't stick, either, because he's offered a part on the show-exactly the kind of complex role he'd always wanted, one that would prove him more than a glorified stuntman. The only catch? He has to stay in the closet-no matter how attractive he finds his costar.

Carter Samuels is the critically acclaimed male lead on Wolf's Landing. And now, the man who inspired him to take up acting-and made him realize he's gay-is joining the cast, and sparks fly between them instantly. But Carter is out and proud and determined to stay true to himself.

Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi's disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them. Except their friendship deepens by the day, tempting them with what they can't have but both desperately need

Review:

I believe everyone goes through reading slumps at one time or another.  It seems to happen to me at least once a year.  But eventually a book comes along to save the day.  A book that hits the spot.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  It just has to be perfect for me at the time I’m reading it. 

Starstruck was that book.  I had just gone through a string of romances that just weren’t doing it for me.  It had been a little while since I had read a m/m romance so I decided to pick this one out of my TBR list.  And, boy, am I glad that I did.  This book has everything.  Beautiful scenery.  Hollywood-beautiful boys.  A CocaCola addicted main character. Steamy hot drinks.  Steamy hot bedroom scenes.  And, the Pièce de résistance, two forever boys.

Levi left Hollywood after being typecast and never being allowed to expand his skills into other film genres.  He’s been enjoying a quiet and drama-free life in Bluewater Bay, WA.  Other than helping produce and direct local theater productions, Levi pretty much keeps to himself.  And he likes it that way.  So when an old Hollywood acquaintance asks to meet with him about the hit show that has been filming in town, Levi is thoroughly annoyed.  He has successfully left Hollywood and now it seems Hollywood has decided to invade his turf.  But, as much as he would like to tell everyone to go away, he is being offered the role of a lifetime.  A role that will allow him to broaden his career and help him break free of the typecasting that he has resented for so long.  The only catch is that he has to stay in the closet.  With a star and director that are out in the open about their sexuality, the production company has decided they don’t want the hit show to be known as the “gay” show and are unwilling to add another gay actor to the cast.  This obviously bothers Levi but since he’s never been willing to come out of the closet anyway, he might be willing to go along with this so he can take advantage of a career changing opportunity.

When Carter sees his idol and Hollywood crush, Levi Pritchard, touring the set, he is absolutely giddy.   So much so that he takes a chance and visits a rehearsal at the local theater so he can introduce himself to Levi and talk about his possible casting in the show.  Unexpectedly,  Carter and Levi hit it off immediately.  They find that they both have a mutual love for indie films.  It doesn’t take long before they are spending every free moment watching movies together at Levi’s home.   

Their attraction to each other is undeniable.   But Levi is not so willing to come out of the closet and Carter is unwilling to be a secret.  The two of them struggle with being best friends when they want to add so much more to their relationship.  Until Levi can stand up for himself and until he realizes he won’t really be losing anything by being open about who he is, their friendship continues to become more tense.

Like I said, this book hit the spot.  I love stories about nice people.  And these men were NICE.  I love stories that focus on connections besides the obvious sexual attraction.   Watching these two men become best friends while pursuing mutual interests is what made me love them and cheer them on.  That’s one of the things that make me, as a reader, feel like I know the main characters.  It forces me to care for them as if they were my best friends and family.

I’ve read L.A. Witt once before (Covet Thy Neighbor – loved it!) and after reading Starstruck,  I will now be making an effort to move her previous books closer to the top of the TBR pile.   If you are looking for hot boys, romance and  just the right amount of angst  then I recommend you pick this one up very soon.

Nat