Title: The Arrangement
Author: Felice Stevens
Series: none
Genre: contemporary romance, m/m
Carter Haywood lives for the weekends—specifically the one weekend every month when he escapes real life, with all the pressures of work and caring for his special needs brother, to do whatever he wants, with whomever he wants. Sex is only a release; he's not looking for love, a relationship or even a second night with the same man, until he walks into a bar and finds someone who makes leaving it all behind impossible. After one incredibly passionate encounter, he breaks his rule and goes back. He needs to see this man again. And again.
Damaged goods. That's all Reed Kincaide sees and hears when he looks in the mirror. Anxiety and ADHD define his life and he’s learned to keep people at a distance, never letting them get close enough to know who he really is. When Carter proposes a monthly weekend of sex without strings, it's the ideal arrangement for him. Or so he thinks. Every month, leaving Carter proves to be more and more difficult. It’s not only the intensely hot sex they have in their hotel suite; Reed wonders about the secret life Carter refuses to share.
As months pass and they grow closer Reed finds himself falling for Carter, but he needs more than hurried hugs and farewell kisses. He wants it all. Letting Reed into his carefully constructed family life could upset Carter’s whole world, but it might be the risk he’s finally willing to take, if it means keeping Reed. Once bodies are engaged, the heart is sure to follow, and Carter and Reed discover that holding on to each other is the first step in letting go of the past.
Amazon US | Amazon UK
FLO'S REVIEW
The Arrangement by Felice Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 **hot & emotional** STARS
Well, what can I say? There really is nothing better to get me out of a book slump than a good old MM romance, and this one had it all. Scorching hot scenes, emotion, angst, thought provoking character issues and such a sweet love story.
I really enjoyed it. I had a few issues with the beginning, but by the end Reed and Carter won me over, no question about it.
A little about the story. Carter is a thirty-two year old business man with his own company. He is very guarded and closed off, his priority next to the job is his ten year old special needs brother he takes care of all alone. Once a month he takes a weekend off to unwind and hook up with a stranger. One day he meets the handsome bartender and master student Reed, and his plans of not seriously getting involved with anyone begin to crumble.
I can’t lie, in the beginning I wasn’t really sold on the whole spark between the two main characters. Their involvement starts out as a one-night stand, but still it fell a little flat for me. Luckily I kept on reading, because they stole my heart rather fast after that.
I liked the emotions, the personal issues that make them keep each other at arm's length. The Arrangement is not just a hot hook-up book; the characters have depth and real life problems that make them relatable and three-dimensional.
All in all, a very well done quick read. Perfect for people who love a moving MM story with a lot of heart and some angst.
**ARC very kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author
I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, my characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
No comments
Post a Comment