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Wanderlust #2
Up for Air
Two exes, a young reef conservationist and an attractive hotel developer, find themselves butting heads over plans for a new eco-friendly tropical resort in this steamy MM romance from Queer indie author Kent Holland.
Profit from the paperback version of this book goes to support the Human Rights Campaign.
Leland Salvatore has few passions like his care for the natural world. He has loved the oceans for as long as he can remember (okay, it was The Little Mermaid that did it for him), and he has always wanted to care for them.
Now, working as a reef conservationist, he finds himself asked to consult on a project for a new eco-friendly resort off the coast of Belize. He has one stop the resort, because even an “eco-friendly” resort won’t actually be friendly to the reef and the lifeforms that were there first.
The problem with that? He finds himself working along Andrew Keaton, prodigal son of the massive Keaton hotel empire, who 1) wants to use this resort as a chance to prove himself to his disapproving father, and 2) happens to be Leland’s ex-fiancé.
The two men find themselves locked in collaboration and contention around this project, frequently at odds with each other, but also unable to ignore the tide-like pull they have between them. Will they be able to find common ground, or at least common waters? Or will this relationship sink before either of them can swim?
Profit from the paperback version of this book goes to support the Human Rights Campaign.
Leland Salvatore has few passions like his care for the natural world. He has loved the oceans for as long as he can remember (okay, it was The Little Mermaid that did it for him), and he has always wanted to care for them.
Now, working as a reef conservationist, he finds himself asked to consult on a project for a new eco-friendly resort off the coast of Belize. He has one stop the resort, because even an “eco-friendly” resort won’t actually be friendly to the reef and the lifeforms that were there first.
The problem with that? He finds himself working along Andrew Keaton, prodigal son of the massive Keaton hotel empire, who 1) wants to use this resort as a chance to prove himself to his disapproving father, and 2) happens to be Leland’s ex-fiancé.
The two men find themselves locked in collaboration and contention around this project, frequently at odds with each other, but also unable to ignore the tide-like pull they have between them. Will they be able to find common ground, or at least common waters? Or will this relationship sink before either of them can swim?
342 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2025
8 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 27, 2025
5⭐️ 2🌶️
A refreshing second chance MM romance! 😍
This was a brilliant book that took only a matter of sittings to swim through. I loved the real smoothness and ease to this read and how overly positive it was.
Reef conservationist Leland and hotel developer Andrew are ex-fiancés. After 7 years of not seeing one another, they now find themselves reluctantly working together to create an eco-friendly resort in Brazil.
The book commenced with strength and the immediate The Little Mermaid references had me sold. I loved how Holland’s characters felt familiar, like I’d known them for years, all within the first few chapters.
The plot in this enemies to lovers, second chance romance was perfect for Leland and Andrew. I loved the forced proximity and watching a love truly re-blossom. The amount of reef conservation research Holland conducted really shone bright through, matching the glistening descriptions of coral and sea life.
The drift from the present into glimpses of the past mid-chapter worked so well too and I love how they worked in parallel to deliver the story. The character progression really stood out in this read.
Although predominantly sweet and at times swoony, I really enjoyed the spicy scenes. It sure is better down where it’s wetter, and I loved how the spice was a part of the narrative and was significant to the plot, rather than being unnecessarily incorporated.
This review doesn’t give the book justice as the vibes, the characters and the romance really had me in my feels. My favourite read last month! 🥹
A huge thank you @kenthollandwrites for this ARC of Up for Air, which is published today. I started the Wanderlust series here, at book two, but it worked perfect as a standalone and I can’t wait to venture back to the first one.
I highly recommend this read! 🩵
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
A refreshing second chance MM romance! 😍
This was a brilliant book that took only a matter of sittings to swim through. I loved the real smoothness and ease to this read and how overly positive it was.
Reef conservationist Leland and hotel developer Andrew are ex-fiancés. After 7 years of not seeing one another, they now find themselves reluctantly working together to create an eco-friendly resort in Brazil.
The book commenced with strength and the immediate The Little Mermaid references had me sold. I loved how Holland’s characters felt familiar, like I’d known them for years, all within the first few chapters.
The plot in this enemies to lovers, second chance romance was perfect for Leland and Andrew. I loved the forced proximity and watching a love truly re-blossom. The amount of reef conservation research Holland conducted really shone bright through, matching the glistening descriptions of coral and sea life.
The drift from the present into glimpses of the past mid-chapter worked so well too and I love how they worked in parallel to deliver the story. The character progression really stood out in this read.
Although predominantly sweet and at times swoony, I really enjoyed the spicy scenes. It sure is better down where it’s wetter, and I loved how the spice was a part of the narrative and was significant to the plot, rather than being unnecessarily incorporated.
This review doesn’t give the book justice as the vibes, the characters and the romance really had me in my feels. My favourite read last month! 🥹
A huge thank you @kenthollandwrites for this ARC of Up for Air, which is published today. I started the Wanderlust series here, at book two, but it worked perfect as a standalone and I can’t wait to venture back to the first one.
I highly recommend this read! 🩵
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
August 2, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
This was a super cute, second chance MM Romance! The relationship between Leland and Andrew was really sweet. I loved their back and forth exchanges, especially via email; they were funny and flirtatious. The communication between them was amazing and made their bond even stronger, which made me like them even more as characters. Kent Holland did an excellent job writing their story!
This was a super cute, second chance MM Romance! The relationship between Leland and Andrew was really sweet. I loved their back and forth exchanges, especially via email; they were funny and flirtatious. The communication between them was amazing and made their bond even stronger, which made me like them even more as characters. Kent Holland did an excellent job writing their story!
August 2, 2025
“Up for Air” made me realize….maybe I’m in the wrong profession. Marine biology and wildlife conservation were interests of mine in Scouts, maybe I should have perused those. 😅😂
Another witty rom-com filled with hilarious banter, heart and HEAT. The rekindling between Leland and Andrew shines through on every page; for me, the chapters with their email exchanges stand out the most. Making me giggle and kick my feet at how they egg each other on. The banter throughout is equal parts flirtatious and frustrating, like yall just need to kiss 😂
Watching Leland and Andrew rebuild their relationship through shared goals and conflicting values was incredibly satisfying. And seeing where they falter and compromise. The ecological impact of the project made me root for them even more! “Up for Air” is tender, emotional and had me feeling all the feels!
Another witty rom-com filled with hilarious banter, heart and HEAT. The rekindling between Leland and Andrew shines through on every page; for me, the chapters with their email exchanges stand out the most. Making me giggle and kick my feet at how they egg each other on. The banter throughout is equal parts flirtatious and frustrating, like yall just need to kiss 😂
Watching Leland and Andrew rebuild their relationship through shared goals and conflicting values was incredibly satisfying. And seeing where they falter and compromise. The ecological impact of the project made me root for them even more! “Up for Air” is tender, emotional and had me feeling all the feels!
July 1, 2025
As a fan of second chance romance and of the first book in this series, Up For Air did not disappoint. Leland and Andrew first fell in love in their early twenties, but circumstances and immaturity conspired to separate them. They are reunited seven years later when Andrew seeks out Leland’s marine conservation expertise for an eco-conscious resort development. Leland is understandably suspicious, both of reconnecting with Andrew, even only on a professional level, and of whether a profit-making tourist venture can ever be truly sustainable. As the project brings them back into each other’s orbit, they begin to consider how each other has changed and grown and whether their initial chemistry and connection could become the foundation for a second chance, or a new beginning.
What I particularly enjoy about both books in the Wanderlust series is the ways in which the reader is encouraged to think through some big topics with the characters. Up For Air asks us to consider multiple ethical and moral issues, including the environmental and human exploitation that comes with tourism, as well as more personal questions of how to meaningfully and substantially demonstrate regret and rebuild trust with someone whose heart you broke. Although the characters don’t necessarily make the same choices I imagine I would in their situation, I welcome the layers of complexity in Holland’s books which to me drives his storytelling beyond much of what is available in the romance genre. The author takes some popular tropes and pushes them into unique territory through a commitment to exploring the full context of the characters he creates, not just their romantic relationships. I also really appreciated the author’s note and the insights into his motivations and research process it provided as an introduction to the text.
All in all, Up For Air was a delightful read with much to recommend it. This author has a refreshing and distinct voice and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
What I particularly enjoy about both books in the Wanderlust series is the ways in which the reader is encouraged to think through some big topics with the characters. Up For Air asks us to consider multiple ethical and moral issues, including the environmental and human exploitation that comes with tourism, as well as more personal questions of how to meaningfully and substantially demonstrate regret and rebuild trust with someone whose heart you broke. Although the characters don’t necessarily make the same choices I imagine I would in their situation, I welcome the layers of complexity in Holland’s books which to me drives his storytelling beyond much of what is available in the romance genre. The author takes some popular tropes and pushes them into unique territory through a commitment to exploring the full context of the characters he creates, not just their romantic relationships. I also really appreciated the author’s note and the insights into his motivations and research process it provided as an introduction to the text.
All in all, Up For Air was a delightful read with much to recommend it. This author has a refreshing and distinct voice and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
July 17, 2025
“They said that the water, the ocean, was alive, that it would care for me if I let it.” 100%! I love the ocean, so having a character like Leland just made me oh so happy and excited to read his POVs. Honestly, I think this may have been one of my favourites from Kent. I loved Leland and his drive to protect the ocean and the reef. From the start to the very end of the story, he was my favourite character and I loved seeing his passion.
Andrew was a bit meh at first, but as the story went on, I liked him and loved hearing about his growth and change from when he and Leland first met. I loved that he left his family and everything that was expected of him to do what he wanted, and that involved having Leland as a partner that he worked alongside.
The overall story was just great and had a good pace to it for me. Leland and Andrew’s dialogue was great and once they returned to being friendly it was so easy to see that they were just meant for each other. Even after 7 years. My favourite part, was chapter 16. That heart-to-heart they both shared was everything, and seeing them be all deep was just so perfect.
10/10 for me.
Andrew was a bit meh at first, but as the story went on, I liked him and loved hearing about his growth and change from when he and Leland first met. I loved that he left his family and everything that was expected of him to do what he wanted, and that involved having Leland as a partner that he worked alongside.
The overall story was just great and had a good pace to it for me. Leland and Andrew’s dialogue was great and once they returned to being friendly it was so easy to see that they were just meant for each other. Even after 7 years. My favourite part, was chapter 16. That heart-to-heart they both shared was everything, and seeing them be all deep was just so perfect.
10/10 for me.
October 29, 2025
I loved this book foremost for its flirty banter. It really is my kryptonite.
Anyways as always a brilliant little story by Kent holland.
A story that is not just full of romance and heart and sex but also full of honest communication and consent and checking in.
The story feels lived in and safe and I found myself rooting for Andrew and Leland the whole time wishing they find a way to one another.
Anyways as always a brilliant little story by Kent holland.
A story that is not just full of romance and heart and sex but also full of honest communication and consent and checking in.
The story feels lived in and safe and I found myself rooting for Andrew and Leland the whole time wishing they find a way to one another.
August 21, 2025
When you set your story on the coast of Belize, surround it with ocean, an eco-friendly project, nature protection, and a mm love story that breaks hearts and heals coral reefs, you cannot miss it.
You get my intention; you’ve got me hooked.
Add to it fluent, easy-to-read, and romantic prose, and Kent Holland guarantees you another enjoyable reading experience.
You get my intention; you’ve got me hooked.
Add to it fluent, easy-to-read, and romantic prose, and Kent Holland guarantees you another enjoyable reading experience.
August 28, 2025
Kent Holland’s next book does not disappoint. And the steamy scenes…wow! It kept me wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews