The Heir Apparent

by Tere Michaels

Henry Walker is the only son of a wealthy businessman - and heir to a vast company. It is his birthright and destiny. But Henry only truly desires the one thing he cannot have…time to spend with his lover, Archie Banks. Archie is his childhood friend turned driver, bodyguard and dirty little secret. Circumstances make it difficult for them to sneak moments together – something that will become impossible once Archie moves on after he graduates from college.

They fear the uncertain future, and what will become of their blossoming feelings - but nothing prepares them for the danger and disaster about to overwhelm their lives. A shocking kidnapping leads to tragedy and suddenly Henry and Archie are thrust into a dramatic fight against an unknown enemy. They must fight not only be together, but to also save the company Henry has been groomed to run his entire life.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Mystery, Suspense, LGBT

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2013

About the author

Tere Michaels unofficially began her writing career at the age of four when she learned that people got paid to write stories. It seemed the most perfect and logical job in the world and after that, her path was never in question. (The romance writer part was written in the stars—she was born on Valentine’s Day.)

It took thirty-six years of “research” and “life experience” and well… life… before her first book was published but there are no regrets (she doesn’t believe in them). Along the way, she had some interesting jobs in television, animation, arts education, PR, and a national magazine—but she never stopped believing she would eventually earn her living writing stories about love.

Her home base is a small town in New Jersey, very near NYC, a city she dearly loves. She shares her life with her husband, her son—who is also her personal trainer—and an exceedingly spoiled cat. Her spare time is spent watching way too much sports programming, going to the movies and for long walks/runs in the park, reading, and doing yoga.

Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry. It’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers and is always available for speaking engagements, visits, and workshops. Send her a message through her contact page or connect with her on Instagram (@TereMichaels) and Facebook.

She teaches regularly at SavvyAuthors, as well as running a private consulting and developmental editing business.

Reviews

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, it wasn’t clear where Henry Walker and Archie Banks were a couple. I would argue that they had a professional and a sexual relationship, maybe even a friendship but there didn’t seem to be an actual romantic relationship. After experiencing Matt and Evan’s relationship in their series, my expectations of Tere Michael’s books are really high because I have experienced the magic she can deliver.

Archie was Henry Walker’s chauffeur and Archie’s family worked for the Walker family in various capacities. Henry was the heir to his father’s business, WalkCom International and his father treated him quite coldly. For most of the book Archie lacked a backbone or any sort of personality outside of his brief interactions with Archie.
When Henry, his father Normal, his father’s best friend David were kidnapped, Archie was the main suspect since he was the driving the car.

Honestly, this story suffered from underdeveloped characters. I didn’t understand what was truly driving each character, what they were about and what molded them. I thought it was sad how everyone was coddling Henry, specifically the house servants, when he is a grown man. Instead Archie was the one I found compelling. He wanted more out of life and he worked towards it. Archie was the one who worked to figure out the mystery behind the kidnapping of Henry even though he isn’t in law enforcement. Even though this mystery was very predictable, I wanted to know more about the kidnapper’s motives.

Overall, I would say this book was just average.

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review.

[Heller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a real disconnect with the characters and story in this one. It was a struggle to finish it, tbh.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars – Overall, The Heir Apparent is not a bad book. While the writing is fine, it suffers from a couple of big issues that resulted in my not being thrilled with it. The first of which is a trope which has rarely ever worked for me in romance. The two characters involved in the story's relationship, Henry Walker, who is the millionaire heir to a business empire, and Archie Banks, who was Henry's primary childhood friend/playmate and now Henry's chauffeur/bodyguard, start the tale with more than just a deep friendship, they're also occasional lovers. It turns out they also have strongly established romantic feelings for one another but refuse to acknowledge them to anyone, let alone each other, because of station. Because all of this exists already prior to the plot this book contains, the novel simply lacks many of the things I look forward to reading in a romance. There's essentially little relationship building because the feelings are already there. It's not until the story gets underway that they start to act on them in order to transition from friends-with-benefits to a romantic relationship. As such, the feels didn't come through for me.

The second issue is that the mystery plot that takes up much of the story is dreadfully simple to figure out. In fact, I really wondered why it took so long before anyone began to suspect who was behind it.

Again, this wasn't bad. I liked it, but I didn't love it.

The author and/or publisher generously provided me a complimentary copy of The Heir Apparent in exchange for this fair and honest review.

Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're expecting this to be anything like the Faith, Love & Devotion series, I'll stop you right here....it's nothing like that, it's a whodunit....and not a bad one at that!!

I started off not liking the characters (other than Archie) at all, Henry Walker was a real 'cold fish', his father Norman was even more so (and I have to admit that it narked me a little that they were British - authors, and I'm not singling you out here Tere, most of us Brits weren't educated at Eton and do not have a silver spoon in our mouths, some of us can even show emotion you know, a lot less stereotyping would be welcome!!), and I thought 'What the hell have I bought here??', but it took someone's death for the story to thaw a little for me. Henry and Archie had grown up together, Archie's mum was employed in the house, and when Henry's mum died, Norman went through wives as through they'd gone out of fashion and Archie's mum became a surrogate mum to Henry. Fast forward a few years and Henry and Archie were secretly lovers (or so they thought), Henry being the boss's son (Walkcom), Archie being employed as chauffeur/bodyguard and doing a degree at the same time. On the way into the office one morning, their Hummer is deliberately run off the road, and the mystery starts..... I'm not going to go into that here, you'll have to read it for yourselves, but I did guess who Mr Bad Ass was, and was really happy for Archie and Henry once everything was sorted out. Recommended.

[Mandapanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great romance between Henry, the heir of a big company, and his lifelong friend and chauffeur Archie. I loved the dynamic and the history between Henry and Archie. Archie is about to leave after years of service now that he has paid the debts of his father and finished his external studies. The tension between them at their upcoming separation and Henry's inability to be honest about their relationship are played out against an interesting kidnapping/family tragedy plot.

The only small negative for me was the transparency of the bad guy. It was hard to believe Archie and Henry couldn't see who it was. But it didn't worry me that much because I was so involved with the MC's. The sex scenes are very erotic but at the same time restrained. Just perfect! I really appreciated the way the author wrote the relationship between Henry and his father. It avoided the usual one dimensional formulaic father/son thing. Their love was flawed but not terrible.

[Tutu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book rubbed me the wrong way. I knew when I started reading it that it was mainly a mystery, so I did not have any false expectations. Unfortunately it still failed to deliver for me.

The mystery part is not exactly that big of a surprise. I knew who the bad guy as soon as he/she were first introduced. As far as the plot goes, can’t say it was extremely original. What could have saved this book for me would have been the relationship between Archie and Henry. But sadly that was the biggest let down for me. I really did not like Henry. He was cold and selfish and a coward. I kept expecting him to prove himself but in my opinion he never did. Archie made his mistakes also in their relationship by not speaking up and holding his ground but I blame him less then Henry.

I just felt the whole book that Archie was being used. And it had been going on for a ton of years. This is something that disturbs me immensely in the stories I read.

Also, it irritated the hell out of me how the author kept using the expression his lover. Aside for the fact that the repetition was annoying it was also extremely false. Archie wasn’t his lover, he was his dirty secret.

If I could be objective I’d say that this is an ok story. But I’m not. So….please see my above rant.

Still, Tere Michaels rocks and I wholeheartedly recommend her series Faith & Fidelity. Go read that!

[Susan65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became really attached to both Archie and Henry. They were just so right for each other, even though it took time and tragedy for them to figure it out.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich, somewhat bored, and definitely emotionally challenged heir to an international manufacturing conglomerate meets hard-working, ambitious, loyal chauffeur/bodyguard in this coming-of-age-at-a-somewhat-later-stage-in-life tale. The emotional trials and tribulations of these two complicated men who are very clearly close friends immediately pulled me in and, from the start, had me deeply involved with their fate. Henry and Archie have known each other since childhood, have shared (and are still sharing) many a secret, and now face a dilemma neither of them knows how to solve. Not until a traumatic event do they even realize they have an issue, but once they do? They’ve got their work cut out for them in more than one way.

Henry, Henry, Henry! I didn’t know what to think of him at first – I mean, he’s in his latetwenties when the story begins, but he is as weak-willed, “tame”, and fearful of his father as if he were younger than a teenager and not yet his own man. I can get that living under a powerful father’s shadow can make someone more timid and less self-confident than they might otherwise be. But Henry is not stupid and should have had time to grow up a little more than it seems he has. His self-doubt and need to please his tyrant of a father at (almost) any cost were hard to swallow for me – but then I have always known what I want and was never afraid to go after it; not everyone is like that without a wake-up call. Be that as it may, the accident/kidnapping awakens Henry to the realities of life, and after that, he manages to change and grow into a self-reliant man who knows what he wants and no longer shies away from going after it. It’s not an easy journey, but the fact that this makes him a much better partner for Archie was a very nice side effect.

Archie is the complete opposite of Henry and not just because he is neither rich nor an heir to a vast fortune. Archie is emotionally mature, knows what he wants, and about to graduate college. His only real conflict is around not wanting to leave Henry to his fate. But Archie also knows staying where he is - hiding his true feelings for his boss and their relationship from the world – isn’t healthy and won’t be good for either of them in the long run. Nor is spending his future as a chauffeur and sometime bodyguard – Archie has managed to obtain a business degree by working hard in the little free time he has. He is ready to make the hard choices and “face the music”, as it were, but the helplessness he feels when Henry is kidnapped makes him reconsider his priorities.

As for the other characters? Henry’s father enraged me to the point of spitting curses every time he “graced” the pages and treated Henry like a piece of dirt. Henry’s assistant was hilarious and very supportive, as were some of the other secondary characters. The villain was painfully obvious from the beginning, but that is okay in a “mystery light” like this where most of the focus is on a developing relationship that feels more like an obstacle course than a romance. The business side is touched lightly but with just enough detail and credibility to add some realism to the novel, and by the time all the other twists and turns played out, I have to say I really liked this story.

If you like dramatic stories with lots of emotional growth, if you enjoy watching two men with a long history of friendship (and a little more) come to grips with the fact that their feelings for each other are far deeper than they suspected, and if you’re looking for a read that has a touch of suspense, lots of soul-searching, and more than one “will they – won’t they” moment, then you will probably like this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Kassa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tere Michael’s new novel, The Heir Apparent, is a tightly written, absorbing mystery-romance. The characters have depth and the relationships grow beyond typical expectations. The mystery portion is interesting and could have been pretty suspenseful, unfortunately there is only one option for villain and the story doesn’t even try to offer other options. Thus the end reveal is too easy and obvious, which ruins the pacing and suspense. However, I found this to a pretty minor problem and enjoyed the story regardless.

Henry Walker is the son and heir of some kind of global industry company. He and his driver/bodyguard Archie Banks have been friends since childhood and turned into friends with benefits as they grew up. Now Archie is looking to leave and start his own career in business while Henry is expected to take up the reins of his father’s business. A sudden accident throws everything into turmoil and Henry doesn’t know what to think or whom to believe.

The main thrust of the story is the evolving relationship between Henry and Archie, framed by the chaos of the kidnapping attempt and it’s aftermath. Henry begins the story weak-willed and submissive. He’s deeply afraid of his father while craving the man’s affection and pride. Henry is mired in his own self-doubt too much to ever really acknowledge his relationship with Archie. The kidnapping and subsequent actions force Henry to define his life and wants. It makes him grow up and be his own person, finally. These events actually go a long way towards establishing and building Henry as an independent, likable character.

The other characters are decent and the females feel supportive without smothering or collapsing. I liked the warmth and concern of those who worked for the Walker estate, a kind of old world charge even as Archie realizes how ridiculous and superficial it all is. Archie feels genuine and makes a good counterpoint to Henry without being overbearing or too invisible. He straddles the line between partner and deference well but will likely flourish out on his own. There’s a hanging thread on whether he finished his degree or had to repeat the semester but that’s a small detail.

On the other hand the mystery of who arranged the kidnapping is laughably obvious. The story only offers one possibility and basically puts up a neon sign saying who is responsible. The fact that the characters don’t realize this really put a stretch on my ability to suspend disbelief. Numerous details and overwhelming evidence got too much towards the end, making the eventual reveal thin and tired before it even started. I wish the story had offered other options to really make the suspense sing and get readers questioning who might be the villain.

Although I easily guessed the ending, this is still an enjoyable read. The writing is tight, characterizations interesting and the various relationships grow and offer more depth at the end than the beginning. Whereas characters may feel wooden at the start they definitely change and deepen by the end, which makes the story interesting despite the failure at creating suspense. The ending is slightly too easy but no real complaints. I’d recommend this one for fans of Michaels but those new to her writing should definitely read others first. This is a good read but not her best.

[Sunne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think goodreads needs another star system...why?

Because I more and more read books that are 3,5 stars. This one is no exception.

Why? I mean, hey, I've read Tere Michaels "Faith, Love & Devotion"-series and loooooved it.

If I compare this book to the series...it's defintely a 3 star....if I compare it to other books at the moment available...it might be closer to 4 stars.

Well....let's start:
The writing is good, I never felt detached from the action, I never experienced any moment where the language distracted me from the story.
The story was okay, nothing really spectacular but unique enough to be entertaining. I wanted to read it.

But - I didn't get it. No, seriously, I couldn't understand Archie's and Henry's relationship in the beginning. They acted like strangers becoming fuck-buddies by accident. For the books sake, they had been friends since childhood. They had been partners in crime forever!!! Where did the distance and detachement come from? Why did they never talk with each other? They spend more than enought time alone in the car together! If my best buddy were my chauffeur - I wouldn't play employer in the backseat....and after he became my lover....
So - the strange dynamics in the "whatever" they had threw me off. Additionally I found both Archie and Henry pale as character. At first I had hoped for Henry to be unbalanced or having depressions or whatever...it certainly seemed a possibilty but no...he was just a stressed but good son. Oh, yes, that's another point that tickled me. The nonexistent father/son bond that had been portrayed in the beginning morphed through the book into an understanding where everybody had to ask: "Why had Norman never talked to Henry about it? Wouldn't he want to be closer to his son?"
And here we go to Henry. Sweet clueless Henry...sorry darling, but you didn't even saw it coming when it nearly hit you on the head. Even Archie, who wracked his brain didn't even think of .....Duh...I knew it from the beginning.

Well....but back again to the rating. I think I go for 3 stars - that means I liked it.

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archie Bank, driver and bodyguard for Henry Walker, The Heir Apparent of WalkCom The manufacturing conglomerate with energy and steel interests around the world that is owned by the wealthy Walker family. Archie is also Henry’s childhood friend and secret lover.
After six years fo study Archie will finally have his business degree and will be looking for a new job Soon he’d have a job that didn’t require a gun permit and a uniform. But All his excitement always felt tempered by the reality that wherever he went, Henry wouldn’t be there.




The kidnapping of Henry, together with his father and godfather, ends in the death of Henry's dad, an unexpected twist in the will, brings more danger.
Henry is resolute and works hard to adhere to the will, but will he finally haul Archie out of the closet and admit what they are to each other?

I liked reading this book, although it needs a critical editing, e.g. when Henry is in the garden with David, he is referred to as Archie instead of Henry “Doing what?” Archie asked.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was questioning this couple for quite a while because they didn't seem like a couple at all. More of the fuck buddies variety. Then everything changed and it became a romance with a little intrigue and a little smexing and a whole lotta sweetness.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This moves quickly and relies a lot on pre-established relationships, but for all that I still really enjoyed it. The mystery aspect was a bit overdone and predictable but I liked the connection between Henry and Archie. I wanted them to work out and be able to own up to their feelings for each other. As always I enjoyed Ms. Michaels writing style and the smoothness of her prose. This is a quick read, but I still found myself swept up in the story.

Archie Banks life has been dictated in large part by the station he was born into. His mother worked for the Walker family for years and while he grew up running wild with the Walker heir growing up changes things. Archie’s made his living as a bodyguard and chauffer to his childhood friend while pursuing his own degree. It may have taken him longer than one would wish to get through college working full time, but he’s almost there. It’s finally time to get a real job and a career, but doing so may just take him away from the secret he’s been keeping for years.

Henry Walker has been the prodigal son to his father and his family’s company for years. Having his best friend there beside him through all the years has been perfect. No one understands him as well as Archie does. But now it’s coming smack into his face that that might be disappearing soon. He’s incredibly proud of everything that Archie has accomplished, but neither one of them has ever acknowledged what their relationship really means. They’ve hidden the sexual side of their relationship for years, it’s the one thing they don’t talk about. But when their hummer is blindsided and Henry is kidnapped their world is turned on its ear and keeping quiet may not be possible anymore.

So I really liked the established couple route of this story. I enjoyed that they had this awkward we don’t talk about it thing going on. They’re friends with benefits arrangement has let them both not admit to or really deal with their feelings for each other. The kidnapping may have been a catalyst, but so would have been Archie’s finally graduating and moving on with his life. Before they can take anything out into the world they have to face how they really feel for themselves and actually talk to one another, get past the stilted and awkward talking thing and go for it.

The mystery here was predictable and really functioned more as a catalyst than any real threat. I was never all that concerned that the troublemaker would win, they just forced Henry to grow up and really step into the man he’s supposed to be. I really felt like I did get to see him leave the boy behind and take on the mantle of the man. He’s always been the rich kid and not had to struggle with things, but when push came to shove he stepped up to the plate. I appreciated that Archie didn’t just cater to Henry either. He is his own man and appreciates every opportunity he’s been given as an extended part of Henry’s family, but he’s also ready to be his own man.

I enjoyed this story it was fun and entertaining. I liked the characters and wanted things to work out for them. I liked Archie secreting Henry away from all the insanity to try to get them space to work out everything. The other servants of the house were very sweet and a fun group of people very well acquainted with each other. I enjoyed seeing Archie’s mother mothering the heck out of Henry as well. You could see the history between all these people.

All in all this isn’t my favorite Tere Michaels book but it was still one I very much enjoyed reading. I will keep reading Ms. Michael’s books because the writing is always smooth and the story just flows. The characters are fleshed out and I’m always rooting for them to find the HEA. ☺

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed on Hearts on Fire

It wasn’t a love at first sight read for me. It could be because this was about an established couple, Henry & Archie, which means I had to warm up to them in a hurry to care about what’s happening between them. Not helping was how cold and uncomfortable they first seemed with each other. They grew up together, knew each other since they were five, and are lovers but they have awkward conversations & don’t kiss each other when they’re about to have sex. All this is supposed to be because Henry is wealthy & Archie is from the lower servant class. He’s the family chauffeur. It’s like an upstairs/downstairs British soap opera helped by the fact that they are both British expats. But they grew up in modern day New York where that kind of class attitude doesn’t fly so I had a hard time buying into this.

The story when it gets going does improve somewhat. There’s a dramatic incident that pushes Archie & Henry together more. There was some thawing out and actual emotions expressed. I did find the makeover that Henry’s dad Norman undergoes from pre to post incident unbelievable though.

He’s first presented as an unfeeling autocrat who has a distant & disapproving relationship with his son and a man who likes to flex his power with Henry. Here’s what Henry thinks about why his father asked him to dinner:

“Because it was ridiculous and inconsiderate and exactly the sort of thing his dad did on a regular basis. If he truly wanted dinner with his only son, he could have had it in Manhattan, after work. Not upstate, not in the middle of the week. Not when the invitation sounded much like a summoning. Not when it disrupted Henry’s life and by extension, Archie’s.”

When Norman’s wife suggest he hires Archie after he graduates from college, he replies, “My dear, you are a kind soul. But it wouldn’t look right elevating my chauffeur like that.” He sounds like a total elitist snob here. Yet later in the story the man is presented as saintly and practically father of the year.

The contradictions & little unbelievable things, like Henry trying to hide the fact he’s gay & his relationship with Archie from his employees, just kept me from completely staying in the moment in this story. Why would anyone care considering this takes place in New York where Gay men are not a rare sight in the work place.

The mystery elements were light and obvious. I wasn’t that put off that Henry & Archie couldn’t solve it. They’re not detectives nor even amateur sleuths. They are actually the victims and so were too caught up with all the emotions, grief & even brief hospitalization to really be the clearest of thinkers. I know for some this was the weakest part of the story, but for me it was the parts I wrote above where I had the problems.

I don’t mind a cooler love affair as long as it fits the time, the era & the setting. This one didn’t quite do that but I didn’t dislike this story either. It just took a long time for me to warm up to it. It’s no love at first sight but I did grow to eventually like it.

[Trisha Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. The romance was sweet. The crime and mystery fell short for me. I had guessed who it was before the 50% mark. It was a really good book though and the ending was nice. Hopefully there might be a sequel one day.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE a Tere Michaels love story!!!!!

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great characters. Terrible plot.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ 4.5 Stars ~

Henry is the next in line to take over his father’s considerable earnings and thriving corporation. His stern and demanding father has been grooming his son ever since he was born, and Henry feels the weight of a life that he’s not really sure he wants to embrace pressing in on him more heavily every day. His only respite from the hamster wheel that his life has become seems to be the time spent with his best friend and employee, Archie Banks. From the moment Archie arrived, at the tender age of five, to be with his mother, the Walker’s family cook, he and Henry have been cohorts in crime in the best way. Growing up together means that Archie can guess Henry’s every need, both inside and out of the bedroom. But theirs has always been a hidden affair. After all, Archie is driver and bodyguard for Henry—the hired help—and certainly not approved boyfriend material.

Circumstances beyond either man’s control are about to send their relationship and lives into a tailspin. Kidnapping, corporate espionage, and his father’s untimely death will force Henry into making choices that are difficult and potentially deadly for him and Archie. Whatever feelings the two men have for one another will have to remain hidden while they fight to find out who wants Henry dead, and why.

Author Tere Michaels offers up a fast paced mystery packed with action and romance in the re-release of her novel, The Heir Apparent. As always the characters this author creates are fascinating, realistic and so very easy to like. Henry is trapped in a life that he’s not sure he really wants. His affair with Archie has always been one of convenience. Now, with Archie’s graduation looming, and the very real possibility that he will be leaving the family estate and his position there, Henry feels so conflicted about how that makes him feel. Neither man has ever professed aloud how they feel about the other, always being so aware that they are from very different stations in life, and hardly a match made in heaven. But, lurking right beneath the surface is an attraction that has always lit them both on fire for each other, and it’s time to face the fact that it has progressed way beyond simple lust.

There is great chemistry between these two men. Their interactions are easy, natural and remarkably well written. The dialogue is sharp and intelligent, as is the plotline itself. While the mystery portion of this novel may have been relatively simple to figure out, it was still exciting to see it unfold. I enjoyed the supporting characters, immensely, and felt they added to the richness of the story while also affording us a further glimpse into what made Henry and Archie tick. With just enough background history fed to us throughout the various chapters, the novel felt complete to me—the men themselves, accessible and familiar, and the conflict realistic. I truly enjoyed this book and would love to revisit Henry and Archie a few years into the future, and see what has become of them and how their lives have changed, but, alas, I fear no sequel is in the offing on this one, as the ending tied up the story quite nicely.

The Heir Apparent is an exciting, action-packed novel that offers up a hard fought but undeniably sweet and satisfying romance. This is a book I most definitely can recommend to both mystery and romance lovers alike.

Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd edition by Dreamspinner Press.

This is surprisingly a really fun read for me.
I liked Archie and Henry's relationship, even though Henry need a little more spine and talk to his father about it rather than assuming, you know?
I liked how devoted Archie is with Henry, taking care of him with no doubt. No question asked when Henry acting weird, especially during the sex session :P

Their sexy time has always been sexy, and romantic at some point. Forbidden and dangerous...but they never thought that Henry's father knew or okay, everyone. He and Archie were just apparently not really good with hiding their feelings to each other.
There's no father - son typical conflict, remember about assuming? Thet's what Henry did. After it was too late for him and his father to have a real talk. After he knew finally, how much his father loved him, on his own way.

The bad guy, I think I knew about him from the very early after the kidnapping, the 'sign' was there. I have no idea why Archie and Henry didn't 'see' that.

Overall, this was fun, aside from what happened to Henry's father (nobody wanted that happened).
There's a strong HFN for Henry and Archie. I believed, it's their HEA, knowing they're always together since they're five.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Businessman Henry Walker is the titular heir apparent. He is a workaholic who has been striving his entire adult life to learn the intricacies of his family’s huge corporation so he can take over from his father one day. Archie Banks is Henry’s chauffeur/bodyguard/sometimes lover. Archie grew up on the Walker estate and the two have been friends since childhood. Henry and Archie are keeping their intimate relationship a secret. When disaster strikes, Archie is the only person Henry really trusts. This book is a good mix of romance and mystery. I recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary m/m romance.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Henry is poised to take over for his dad at their large company. You meet Archie, his chauffer and body guard and you slowly learn that there is more to their relationship than employer/employee. There is corporate politics and intrigue that will take this story on some twists and turns. This is a nice story of Henry coming to terms with his feelings for Archie and finally doing something about it. I enjoyed learning about the history between Archie and Henry and all the wonderful people in their lives.

[T.M. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit the ground running! Henry Walker, only child and heir to his father’s multimillion dollar company is secretly in love with his best friend. Archie Banks grew up at the Walker estate. He is Henry’s chauffer, bodyguard and lover. A kidnapping leaves both men seriously injured, and the FBI are convinced Archie is behind it. Left to their own devices in an all too tiny apartment, the relationship between these two secret lovers blooms into something more. When the smoke clears will Henry finally admit he’s in love with Archie? Or will he keep his bodyguard in the closet, along with the truth about his sexuality.

If this book had wavered from the initial chapter, even slightly, I might not have finished it. The childhood friends turned lovers aspect is starting to wear me thin in the M/M genre. But Michael’s managed to find the right balance by starting the story on a cliff, and riding the consistency of the plot from there. Yes, I saw the bad guy coming a mile away, but that’s not what the whole of this story was about. I really enjoyed reading Henry and Archie’s relationship as it evolved from just sex to love. The secondary characters were vital to the story as well, even though I figured out who the bad guy was early on, everyone had a part to play and I was intrigued by each and every one of them.

This is the first of Tere Michaels books that I’ve read, but I will definitely be on the lookout for more. The story was engaging and the characters grabbed me, especially Henry and Archie. Their sex scenes were not extremely explicit, but neither were they overall. Michaels still managed to convey the want, need and electricity between them regardless.

If you like M/M romance with that element of mystery and just a teensy bit of intrigue, then this is the book for you.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

It was a fun book, with a bit of everything in it. However, there are conflicts in the book that I felt had been ironed out too conveniently.

[Crissy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I really liked this book, mostly for the characters and their story. I loved Archie and his struggles to make something of himself in the midst of loving a man that couldn't claim him publicly. I loved Henry in all his confusion and fear. He loves Archie and he loves his father. Henry seriously doesn't want to disappoint his father so he's kept his relationship, if that's what you can call it, a secret.

The emotional journey is what makes this story so good. Henry's struggle to accept his place in life while wanting to accept Archie in public. Archie's patience and quiet love and devotion to Henry as he so openly battles himself and his career. Archie is Henry's rock, his stability, his peace. It's quite beautiful.

My biggest problem is the predictability of the whodunit. I had that figured out almost as soon as it happened. I had the mystery plot almost completely figured out by the sixth or seventh chapter. I just wish it would have been someone else entirely and surprised me.

I still recommend reading this book. Even with the predictability, the mystery is still a good one. And the romance is totally worth the entire read. I really do love this book. Another in the plus column for Tere Michaels.

[clear skies · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved Tere Michael's previous series and those who follow the author know she isn't a "churn them out every month" type of author. So I was super happy to see a new M/M book from her. Unfortunately for me it was a hot mess.

First of the book is like one bad soap episode; we have Henry a rich kid molded to take over the legacy that is a billion dollar company. A mother who died and a father who is strict. Henry is also closeted and very much in love with his childhood best friend Archie (whose background confused me as he called him mother mum but this was based in America - I don't even know). Anyway, Archie is Henry's bodyguard and his mother was also the housekeeper. I'm sure most of us have suffered through this trope.

Henry's legacy is put on the test when he, his father and godfather are kidnapped. In short people die, the plot is cheesy as hell and the relationship aspect is so forced and so unrealistic and sorry to say unromantic I'm surprised I even finished it.

Overall it was pretty bad in my eyes.

[~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★☆☆
Was on the kindle and didn't remember what it was about. Two boyhood friends have grown up and are lovers and employer/employee. Rich boy, father, family friend and poor boy are abducted and father dies and the mystery of who set up the abduction is on and whether or not rich boy will take over the CEO spot since there are a few suspects who don't want him to succeed. An ok read, quickly forgotten.

[Anke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I guessed the solution to the kidnapping early on, so that took away a bit of my reading fun. On top of that there was something missing for me regarding the chemistry between Henry and Archie. Nevertheless, the writing drove me to finish this in rather short time:)

[Idamus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but sadly I guessed who done it pretty much straight away, and never suspected anyone else
3.5 stars

[*Nan* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but I didn't fall in love with the characters like I have in her books in the past. The bad guy was super obvious from the start.