NicoleR.M.M. > Books: second-chances‎ (27)

As with her other books, she had me from the first page. I found myself highlighting like crazy, all the funny remarks and the charming ones that made me feel so much, the ones that touched me.
The story starts with Lysander St. Cloud, a former Olympic Medallist winner, who is now more or less forced to take his seat at the board of his family's business, a million dollar construction company. He doesn't want to. He's shy, doesn't have a clue what is expected of him and what he will be able to contribute. And thus he needs a PA. In comes Frankie.
Frankie is a male PA, and a really good one, but he's found himself turned down on the interviews he's had because the PA business is dominated by women and as a man, he seems to not stand a chance. As a feminine man, he can pull it off to wear a skirt and make up and have a female appearance. So, his twin brother and his sister ask him, why not give it a try? He might end up having a job. And so he applies for the job at St. Cloud and he becomes Lysander St. Cloud's new PA.

After months of playing let's pretend, my brain fizzled with exhaustion from subduing my inner gay man for eight hours a day, every day, like being in the closet all over again but with added uncomfortable underwear. My silky skirt lining still gave me a cheap thrill, but usually towards the end of the week, the only clothing I craved was a pair of comfy worn boxers and relaxed fit denim."

Witnessing how Lysander and Frankie get along, how they seem to be just the perfect match, was the most entertaining possible. I loved how their friendship turned into an attraction, and you just know something has to happen because Frankie is not the attractive woman Lysander assumes.
At the same time, Frankie's struggles and growing discomfort about lying to Lysander are done very well. He's still comfortable with cross dressing, but he feels attracted to Lysander too (even though he knows Lysander is straight) and he genuinely likes him very much. I couldn't help but feel a little anxious while reading and knowing something is going to happen. How will Frankie's secret be revealed? When will it finally happen?
And when it finally does, my heart broke. For both of them. Fearne wrote it in the best way possible, the moment of the revelation was heartbreaking, both men's emotions felt very real and honest. But boy, did it hurt! I just wanted them to get passed it, to continue where they left of, because they were so good together! Frankie gave Lysander the confidence he lacked before, gave him meanings to get involved into his family's business in a way that made him comfortable. And seeing these two men, who were so perfect for each other, hurt and confused, well, that was just utterly painful.

The cast of characters was amazing, as usual with Fearne Hill's books. I loved them all and I can't wait to see whose book we are getting next.
And as with all her books, this one also has her trademark dry British humor, and she has me laughing and smiling throughout the whole book. Frankie was such a delight force of joy and positivity, a breath of fresh air, one who knows how to create a safe place for Lysander to grow into his job. And after the secret was revealed, I thought the way Lysander dealt with his unexpected attraction to another man, felt very natural, his struggles, the eventual acceptance, the inexperience...it was all there and I was absolutely impressed by how Fearne was able to make me feel all the feels while reading Lysander's and Frankie's story.
Again. She continues to impress me with each book she releases and I hope to enjoy many more to come!

Highly recommended!

I kindly received an advanced copy from gay romance reviews and this is my honest and unbiased review

Merged review:

This might be my new favorite Fearne Hill book. I don’t know how she does it, but I fall deeply for her characters with each book she writes.
That started off with my first Fearne Hill book and there hasn't been an exception since then. She's such is an exceptional gifted author and every time she releases a new book I can't wait to get my hands on it, wrap myself in a cozy blanket and get comfortable, because even if I wouldn't know the blurb, I just know it is a book I'm going to fall in love with. No doubts.

Uncle Paul muttered under his breath and, next to me, John sniggered.
"Sorry, Paul," said Daphne. "I didn't quite catch that. Would you like to share?"
If looks could kill, the remainder of the board meeting would be spend choosing Uncle Paul's coffin handles.

As with her other books, she had me from the first page. I found myself highlighting like crazy, all the funny remarks and the charming ones that made me feel so much, the ones that touched me.
The story starts with Lysander St. Cloud, a former Olympic Medallist winner, who is now more or less forced to take his seat at the board of his family's business, a million dollar construction company. He doesn't want to. He's shy, doesn't have a clue what is expected of him and what he will be able to contribute. And thus he needs a PA. In comes Frankie.
Frankie is a male PA, and a really good one, but he's found himself turned down on the interviews he's had because the PA business is dominated by women and as a man, he seems to not stand a chance. As a feminine man, he can pull it off to wear a skirt and make up and have a female appearance. So, his twin brother and his sister ask him, why not give it a try? He might end up having a job. And so he applies for the job at St. Cloud and he becomes Lysander St. Cloud's new PA.

After months of playing let's pretend, my brain fizzled with exhaustion from subduing my inner gay man for eight hours a day, every day, like being in the closet all over again but with added uncomfortable underwear. My silky skirt lining still gave me a cheap thrill, but usually towards the end of the week, the only clothing I craved was a pair of comfy worn boxers and relaxed fit denim."

Witnessing how Lysander and Frankie get along, how they seem to be just the perfect match, was the most entertaining possible. I loved how their friendship turned into an attraction, and you just know something has to happen because Frankie is not the attractive woman Lysander assumes.
At the same time, Frankie's struggles and growing discomfort about lying to Lysander are done very well. He's still comfortable with cross dressing, but he feels attracted to Lysander too (even though he knows Lysander is straight) and he genuinely likes him very much. I couldn't help but feel a little anxious while reading and knowing something is going to happen. How will Frankie's secret be revealed? When will it finally happen?
And when it finally does, my heart broke. For both of them. Fearne wrote it in the best way possible, the moment of the revelation was heartbreaking, both men's emotions felt very real and honest. But boy, did it hurt! I just wanted them to get passed it, to continue where they left of, because they were so good together! Frankie gave Lysander the confidence he lacked before, gave him meanings to get involved into his family's business in a way that made him comfortable. And seeing these two men, who were so perfect for each other, hurt and confused, well, that was just utterly painful.

The cast of characters was amazing, as usual with Fearne Hill's books. I loved them all and I can't wait to see whose book we are getting next.
And as with all her books, this one also has her trademark dry British humor, and she has me laughing and smiling throughout the whole book. Frankie was such a delight force of joy and positivity, a breath of fresh air, one who knows how to create a safe place for Lysander to grow into his job. And after the secret was revealed, I thought the way Lysander dealt with his unexpected attraction to another man, felt very natural, his struggles, the eventual acceptance, the inexperience...it was all there and I was absolutely impressed by how Fearne was able to make me feel all the feels while reading Lysander's and Frankie's story.
Again. She continues to impress me with each book she releases and I hope to enjoy many more to come!

Highly recommended!

I kindly received an advanced copy from gay romance reviews and this is my honest and unbiased review

I've been thinking about this review ever since I finished the book and I'm still not sure I can write one that does the book justice. Because, yes, it's dark and disturbing, it's violent, it's sinister, it contains all of the bad things you can ever imagine, and still, it's also a sweet, and deeply felt love story. It's about protecting the one you love more than anything. It's about fulfilling a task of revenge, of having people pay for what has been done in the past and present.
So, yes, it must have been mentioned in other reviews, but reading the trigger warnings is absolutely necessary if you are a sensitive reader. And even if you aren't. Because they are there for a good reason.
But the book drew me in right away and it was really hard to put down. Even after having finished it a couple of days ago, Julien and Khalil are still occupying my mind and that only happens with the real good books.

This is the story of Julien and Khalil, two boys who meet when they are orphaned and brought to a place where people will take care of them, a Catholic home for boys. They grow up together and become friends, and eventually more than just that. But Julien has been keeping secrets from Khalil, and when he turns onto a self-destructive path, Khalil and Julien grow apart.
A few years after the last time they saw each other, Julien manipulates Khalil into coming with him when he has to 'solve a problem'. What Khalil wasn't aware of, is that Julien has become an assassin, a hitman for a dubious organization. From that moment on, they are in it together, Khalil feeling as if he is dragged into something he desperately wants to understand and get out, but as long as Julien keeps his secrets from him and keeps on lying about everything that's important, Khalil doesn't know how to feel safe again.
The sex between these two guys is really hot, by the way. It sometimes feels like hate-sex, and in other moments it's just tender and sweet and all about taking care of each other.

The story unfolds in a perfect pace and reveals the truths about the secrets Julien is keeping, why he is doing what he does, what's been his motive all along. And Khalil finally understands, just as we readers do.
There's a lot of graphic violence in this book as well as other disturbing crimes, but it's so well written that as a reader, when you finally know, you can't help but root for Julien. He's a complicated character, one who's been violated in the worst thinkable ways, and the things he didn't tell Khalil - not now and not when they were boys - he did so he could protect the best thing that ever happened to him after his family died - Khalil.
Their love story was so sweet. Painful at times too, but always hopeful. And even though Khalil said he hated Julien on repeat, it's so clear that he doesn't. He might hate the secrets Julien keeps from him, the fact that he's in the dark about most things happening around him, but he never really hated Julien. These two men were meant to be, they belonged. And in the end, they were rewarded with their hea, something I had a hard time believing in at times.

As always, Laura Lascarso presents this story with excellent writing - I love her poetic use of words, of the phrases she creates. She's such a talented author, I really believe she deserves more recognition.
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone.
Oh, and before I forget: an honorable mention for Ghost - I love that guy! He's hilarious (so if you thought this book was nothing but darkness and violence, there's also humor, mainly due to this secondary character) and even though he tries to hide his painful past behind a tough shell, it's not always working. To me, he felt like a vulnerable kid, someone who'd never had to endure what he had. He's quite the character, though!

I kindly received an advanced copy from the author and this is my honest, unbiased review