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Love Starved
“It all works, and it is so, so satisfying.” —Foreword Reviews
Make me believe it, even if it’s just for one night… Micah Geller considers himself At 27, he has more money than he needs, a job he loves, a debut book coming out and a brilliant career in information security before him. What he doesn’t have is a partner to share it with—a fact that’s never bothered him much.
But the romantic in him isn’t entirely dead. When a moment of weakness finds him with a contact to a high class escort specializing in fulfilling fantasies, Micah asks for only one "Show me what it’s like to feel loved."
Make me believe it, even if it’s just for one night… Micah Geller considers himself At 27, he has more money than he needs, a job he loves, a debut book coming out and a brilliant career in information security before him. What he doesn’t have is a partner to share it with—a fact that’s never bothered him much.
But the romantic in him isn’t entirely dead. When a moment of weakness finds him with a contact to a high class escort specializing in fulfilling fantasies, Micah asks for only one "Show me what it’s like to feel loved."
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2015
3 people are currently reading
603 people want to read
About the author
Kate Fierro
2 books40 followersKate Fierro spent ten years translating, editing, and reviewing other people’s words before making an impulsive decision to write down some of her own. She hasn’t been able to stop ever since.
Kate is bilingual, with more love for her adopted language than her native one. She lives in Europe.
With nearly a million words under her belt, Love Starved is Kate’s first original novel.
Kate is bilingual, with more love for her adopted language than her native one. She lives in Europe.
With nearly a million words under her belt, Love Starved is Kate’s first original novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
May 8, 2022
It's not a secret it was absolutely a cover buy. I didn't know anything about this book, except that it's gay and that the cover is gorgeous.
It turned out it is an underrated gem, too.
The characters are precious, have a healthy realationship and a best friends dynamic, which is *chef's kiss*.
In a few scenes Aiden actually reminded me of Henry from R,W&RB, who reminds me of myself, so it was a ride.
The writing style is one of my faves, since it's quite simple, yet so emotional, and I really would like to read something else from this author, so please, Kate Fierro, publish something new!
It turned out it is an underrated gem, too.
The characters are precious, have a healthy realationship and a best friends dynamic, which is *chef's kiss*.
In a few scenes Aiden actually reminded me of Henry from R,W&RB, who reminds me of myself, so it was a ride.
The writing style is one of my faves, since it's quite simple, yet so emotional, and I really would like to read something else from this author, so please, Kate Fierro, publish something new!
January 5, 2016
I had a seriously bad reading streak this week so I thought I had finally gone insane when I decided to end the week with a new author’s debut novel. But boy was I glad I took a chance because Kate Fierro just wiped out my bad reading week with this book.
And I think this is what Love Starved is all about – taking chances. Taking a leap of faith. It tells the story of Micah who has given up his dream of a happily ever after years ago after still having hang-ups from his first relationship. He had this perfect fantasy of a great love having seen it with his parents and with his sister, Claudia, and her steady relationship with a high-school sweetheart.
Love, the ultimate happiness as depicted in a thousand movies, in books, in every other song on the radio. He’d soaked it up like a sponge growing up, letting it shape him even when he’d already known that in his case, love would never be as it was portrayed in the mass media; he was waiting for Prince Charming rather than looking for a beautiful princess. Even then, love was the goal, the life-changing gift.
Micah thought he had it from his relationship with his ex-boyfriend. Turned out his ex-boyfriend was a first-grade asshole so his illusion of true love shattered. He eventually resigned himself to live a life alone thinking there is no such thing but that changed after giving in to an impulsive drunken decision one night of hiring an escort to fulfill his romantic fantasy – just once making him feel what it’s like to be cherished, to feel loved.
From here on you may think, “Yeah, yeah. We get it. They both fall in love after that, right?” For one thing, you are right. They do fall in love, but it doesn’t happen quick and fast. What makes me love this is how the author played with the relationship arc after Micah and Angel’s – or Aiden’s – first meet. It’s a love story that slowly burns and lets you examine these characters in detail and allows you to see their dimensions along with their many imperfections and vulnerabilities. This isn’t a shallow story of a client falling in love with a prostitute. This barely even had an erotic aspect to it. This is a story of friendship, of healing, and of rebirth.
I just love these characters which emanate genuineness because then I can empathize and connect well with them. I am warmed by Micah’s and Aiden’s vulnerabilities. Their struggles to get to where they stood in the end felt all real to me and their easy camaraderie felt natural.
I liked the roller coaster ride of emotions that I got to experience as the author maneuvered with the plot. It wasn’t too angst-y but it wasn’t also light. A lot of unexpected twists, I must say, but the author took great care in laying these down for her readers. It’s a remarkably well-written story that you just can't help but be engrossed in the author’s world and get hooked with these beautiful characters – main and secondary alike. I even slowed down in the last 2 chapters because I seriously didn't want it to end. It’s a sweet, romantic story and I would gladly read it again in the future. Congratulations on your debut, Kate!
May 9, 2016
A Hearts On Fire Review
FOUR HEARTS--This story.
I had to sleep on it before gathering my thoughts.
This story won't be for everyone. Let me talk to those who might interested. Trigger Warnings: off page sexual assault, physical abuse. And if you're a reader who likes their hookers to only sleep with the main character while they're 'together', this isn't for you either. Because Micah has no issue with Angel/Aiden the prostitute continuing his trade while they non-date/fake date/hook-up. Angel continues hooking throughout the majority of the book.
Still with me?
Cool.
"Love Starved" is an apt title. Twenty seven year old information security trainer Micah Geller is lonely. He's quiet, owns a success business, came out a little later in life and has never experienced love. He has an ideal of perfect love. His one time with a relationship was 2 years ago and he is still burned by that horrid affair. When his bossy best friend gives him a card of an escort( Angel) she and her husband used, Micah drunk emails him and asks for the boyfriend experience. But not for sex. He wants to be fooled by love, to actually have one night of being with someone who is attentive, gentlemanly and cares about him.
It's a tricky setup but Angel takes it. And gives something for Micah to think about. But their date sorta backfired. Micah's sister's friend sees them together and blabs to his sister. This snowballs into a fave trope of mine, FAKE BOYFRIENDS! Micah is too cowardly to tell people that he hired an escort and that Angel's not his boyfriend. So he pays Angel (extensively) for family time.
This story is very slow burn. Micah has a person who could fulfill any sexual fantasy he had right at his finger tips and the book doesn't go there. (There is sex, don't worry) But the slow relationship pace is what caught me. That and Micah's loneliness. He was such a sweet man and thoughtful.
Angel has a past and secrets. He tries to keep it professional but he is drawn to Micah as Micah is just as drawn to him. They become friends. It takes time for Angel to trust Micah but trust him he does. Micah pays for a night of sex, his pining becomes too much and then he learns something darker about his friend and Angel's real name, Aiden.
The plot is a slow twist and sometimes it gets too sweet or sometimes it might get too slow but I couldn't stop reading. Just when I thought I could predict what would happen next, I didn't. Points for the book.
Is the book realistic?
Ish.
Realistic-ish.
Some of the reactions and reasonings behind life choices or situations were a little out there. My biggest concern being Aiden's reasoning behind choosing to prostitute.
I highly doubt anyone wants to be a prostitute when growing up. There are several reasons why anyone becomes a prostitute but Angel/Aiden's is a shaky one. If it were for more a selfish mean, or if he was tricked or forced, or even if he came up with he really enjoyed sex. Anything other that especially when he barely gave any credence to even wanting contact with his 'reason'. And then the excuse Angel gives Micah that Angel is the only one to sacrifice himself, aka the martyr, for a reason that didn't deserve it.
And if maybe that angle was delved into deeper, instead of causally swept up in two sentences when Angel runs into his HEA and tries to throw it back on the very same reason he said couldn't do it in the first place?
I'm talking in circles just because I'm trying hard to not give away the twists and surprises.
The self sacrifice might work for some but I couldn't buy it in Angel. His background wasn't explored enough for me to see why he would even waste his time. Selling himself affected him deeply, so shouldn't the cause do exactly that as well?
But I liked Angel/Aiden. I wanted to knock his head and Micah's too a few times. They could be hardheaded and frustrating but solid story is solid. There's a blackmail angle I liked but I would have wished the resolution would have went further. I didn't care for the best friend. I wouldn't want to hang out with her. I kind of felt sorry for Micah. And Micah's family were like the perfect nuclear family. I can't buy no one not having the slightest problem with their son dating a prostitute.
Thank goodness this is fiction, huh?
Every time reality got a little hazy, Micah would do something that made me smile or I'd get a sweet line like this:
Because when it needed to be romantic, this definitely played it up.
A sweet, slow romantic story between twenty-somethings, both loners who needed love and found each other in an unconventional manner. It just took them some time to realize it.
Ends with a HEA. I'd read more from this author again. :)
FOUR HEARTS--This story.
I had to sleep on it before gathering my thoughts.
This story won't be for everyone. Let me talk to those who might interested. Trigger Warnings: off page sexual assault, physical abuse. And if you're a reader who likes their hookers to only sleep with the main character while they're 'together', this isn't for you either. Because Micah has no issue with Angel/Aiden the prostitute continuing his trade while they non-date/fake date/hook-up. Angel continues hooking throughout the majority of the book.
Still with me?
Cool.
"Love Starved" is an apt title. Twenty seven year old information security trainer Micah Geller is lonely. He's quiet, owns a success business, came out a little later in life and has never experienced love. He has an ideal of perfect love. His one time with a relationship was 2 years ago and he is still burned by that horrid affair. When his bossy best friend gives him a card of an escort( Angel) she and her husband used, Micah drunk emails him and asks for the boyfriend experience. But not for sex. He wants to be fooled by love, to actually have one night of being with someone who is attentive, gentlemanly and cares about him.
It's a tricky setup but Angel takes it. And gives something for Micah to think about. But their date sorta backfired. Micah's sister's friend sees them together and blabs to his sister. This snowballs into a fave trope of mine, FAKE BOYFRIENDS! Micah is too cowardly to tell people that he hired an escort and that Angel's not his boyfriend. So he pays Angel (extensively) for family time.
This story is very slow burn. Micah has a person who could fulfill any sexual fantasy he had right at his finger tips and the book doesn't go there. (There is sex, don't worry) But the slow relationship pace is what caught me. That and Micah's loneliness. He was such a sweet man and thoughtful.
Angel has a past and secrets. He tries to keep it professional but he is drawn to Micah as Micah is just as drawn to him. They become friends. It takes time for Angel to trust Micah but trust him he does. Micah pays for a night of sex, his pining becomes too much and then he learns something darker about his friend and Angel's real name, Aiden.
The plot is a slow twist and sometimes it gets too sweet or sometimes it might get too slow but I couldn't stop reading. Just when I thought I could predict what would happen next, I didn't. Points for the book.
Is the book realistic?
Ish.
Realistic-ish.
Some of the reactions and reasonings behind life choices or situations were a little out there. My biggest concern being Aiden's reasoning behind choosing to prostitute.
I highly doubt anyone wants to be a prostitute when growing up. There are several reasons why anyone becomes a prostitute but Angel/Aiden's is a shaky one. If it were for more a selfish mean, or if he was tricked or forced, or even if he came up with he really enjoyed sex. Anything other that especially when he barely gave any credence to even wanting contact with his 'reason'. And then the excuse Angel gives Micah that Angel is the only one to sacrifice himself, aka the martyr, for a reason that didn't deserve it.
And if maybe that angle was delved into deeper, instead of causally swept up in two sentences when Angel runs into his HEA and tries to throw it back on the very same reason he said couldn't do it in the first place?
I'm talking in circles just because I'm trying hard to not give away the twists and surprises.
The self sacrifice might work for some but I couldn't buy it in Angel. His background wasn't explored enough for me to see why he would even waste his time. Selling himself affected him deeply, so shouldn't the cause do exactly that as well?
But I liked Angel/Aiden. I wanted to knock his head and Micah's too a few times. They could be hardheaded and frustrating but solid story is solid. There's a blackmail angle I liked but I would have wished the resolution would have went further. I didn't care for the best friend. I wouldn't want to hang out with her. I kind of felt sorry for Micah. And Micah's family were like the perfect nuclear family. I can't buy no one not having the slightest problem with their son dating a prostitute.
Thank goodness this is fiction, huh?
Every time reality got a little hazy, Micah would do something that made me smile or I'd get a sweet line like this:
"...you deserve love fresh and pure like the first one, and I can't give it to you. All I can give you is messy and complicated. I'm scratched and dented and covered in scars, and so is my love. But it is there."
Because when it needed to be romantic, this definitely played it up.
A sweet, slow romantic story between twenty-somethings, both loners who needed love and found each other in an unconventional manner. It just took them some time to realize it.
Ends with a HEA. I'd read more from this author again. :)
August 25, 2015
This story of a quiet, once-bitten twice-shy man and a rent boy does several things right. First, I really appreciated that Angel did not quickly give up prostitution and become monogamous after meeting Micah. A guy who's turning tricks generally has strong motivation to do so - money, power, threats, to get back at someone... That doesn't change on a dime. And I also liked that Micah didn't ask him to. The author let them develop a relationship slowly, in fits and starts, so that progress and setbacks were believable. Angel's ability and eagerness to keep his sex-persona and real life separate were well portrayed.
I liked the guys together, and appreciated that the emphasis wasn't usually on the sex, but on the other parts of their relationship. Both men were appealing, and the mystery of Angel, whom we see only through Micah's point of view, was revealed at a plausible and intriguing pace.
The secondary characters were good for moving the plot, although I was glad of Micah's mother to balance out the flamboyance of his best friend and sister. All the women were rather excitable, but since Micah's reluctance to stand up to their curiosity was part of what drove the initial story, it wasn't a problem for me.
Where I took off a star was in the tendency for things to be a bit too black and white. Brian, Micah's ex-boyfriend, had to be a negative character to motivate Micah's subsequent self-isolation. But did he have to have been bad at sex, and never romantic, and uninterested in Micah's job, and demanding, and disliking everything Micah liked, and the one who cheated, and the one who broke up with him, and, and, and? It got to where each new revelation of "Brian had never done this right" became less a reason for sympathy and more a moment of wondering "Why did you ever stay with him?" It would have been a more interesting (and plausible) book if Brian had occasionally done something better than Angel did.
The antagonist was also so vile that it took away a little of the suspense. (and warrants tags for abuse) Major spoiler -
And Angel was a little too perfect. No drugs, no grit, no disdain for his customers, no real hardness (although I grant you he started high-end, never on the streets.) The reason he got into prostitution in the first place felt a little under-motivated.
But I did enjoy the story. In all, a smooth, mildly angsty, sometimes sweetly romantic book about the value of treating everyone as human and seeing past facades. And about how real trust can develop if you don't push too hard.
I liked the guys together, and appreciated that the emphasis wasn't usually on the sex, but on the other parts of their relationship. Both men were appealing, and the mystery of Angel, whom we see only through Micah's point of view, was revealed at a plausible and intriguing pace.
The secondary characters were good for moving the plot, although I was glad of Micah's mother to balance out the flamboyance of his best friend and sister. All the women were rather excitable, but since Micah's reluctance to stand up to their curiosity was part of what drove the initial story, it wasn't a problem for me.
Where I took off a star was in the tendency for things to be a bit too black and white. Brian, Micah's ex-boyfriend, had to be a negative character to motivate Micah's subsequent self-isolation. But did he have to have been bad at sex, and never romantic, and uninterested in Micah's job, and demanding, and disliking everything Micah liked, and the one who cheated, and the one who broke up with him, and, and, and? It got to where each new revelation of "Brian had never done this right" became less a reason for sympathy and more a moment of wondering "Why did you ever stay with him?" It would have been a more interesting (and plausible) book if Brian had occasionally done something better than Angel did.
The antagonist was also so vile that it took away a little of the suspense. (and warrants tags for abuse) Major spoiler -
And Angel was a little too perfect. No drugs, no grit, no disdain for his customers, no real hardness (although I grant you he started high-end, never on the streets.) The reason he got into prostitution in the first place felt a little under-motivated.
But I did enjoy the story. In all, a smooth, mildly angsty, sometimes sweetly romantic book about the value of treating everyone as human and seeing past facades. And about how real trust can develop if you don't push too hard.
November 8, 2015
My review will be short.
This book made me feel like crap. It was utterly depressing and angsty. If you go for that kind of shit, this is the book for you.
The writing was very good and it has a slow burn I kind of liked, but also hated because this book felt loooooooooooong.
And I REALLY REALLY disliked the fact that Angel/Aiden ‘serviced’ Micah’s best friend and her husband (before Micah and Angel met).
And now I’m off to read something that will make me happy. It’s either that or I’ll start with the drinking.
This book made me feel like crap. It was utterly depressing and angsty. If you go for that kind of shit, this is the book for you.
The writing was very good and it has a slow burn I kind of liked, but also hated because this book felt loooooooooooong.
And I REALLY REALLY disliked the fact that Angel/Aiden ‘serviced’ Micah’s best friend and her husband (before Micah and Angel met).
And now I’m off to read something that will make me happy. It’s either that or I’ll start with the drinking.
October 23, 2015
*3.5 stars*
NOTE: This review is all over the place.
Overall, this was a nice story with an interesting take on the "client falls for the prostitute" theme.
Micah, really is love starved. He craves human touch and loving feelings. And this what he asks from Angel, the escort. Not necessarily sex, just to feel loved. Actually, there isn't too much steam in the story but the existing sex scenes are very intense.
I particularly liked the way Micah and Angel's relationship progressed. For the most part of the book, they 're friends. Sometimes with benefits, yes, but it was wonderful to see them falling in love with each other. Micah, at least, since we didn't have Angel's POV.
TBH I missed that POV. It always seemed that Micah was giving too much all the time. I wanted Angel to show more emotion or at least explain why he, sometimes, behaved that way.
Now, the big issue that led me to round down. The reason that Angel became an escort in the first place. I didn't buy it. Nope, no way.
Bottom line, despite some niggles I liked it but this felt too big to me to overlook. The writing is good and it was a great job from a debut author.
NOTE: This review is all over the place.
Overall, this was a nice story with an interesting take on the "client falls for the prostitute" theme.
Micah, really is love starved. He craves human touch and loving feelings. And this what he asks from Angel, the escort. Not necessarily sex, just to feel loved. Actually, there isn't too much steam in the story but the existing sex scenes are very intense.
I particularly liked the way Micah and Angel's relationship progressed. For the most part of the book, they 're friends. Sometimes with benefits, yes, but it was wonderful to see them falling in love with each other. Micah, at least, since we didn't have Angel's POV.
TBH I missed that POV. It always seemed that Micah was giving too much all the time. I wanted Angel to show more emotion or at least explain why he, sometimes, behaved that way.
Now, the big issue that led me to round down. The reason that Angel became an escort in the first place. I didn't buy it. Nope, no way.
Bottom line, despite some niggles I liked it but this felt too big to me to overlook. The writing is good and it was a great job from a debut author.
September 5, 2017
4.5 stars. This was unexpected and I loved it.
This could have been an ordinary story or well, fantasy, about a guy falling in love with an escort. Pretty Woman-ish. But the author created something that was so much more.
Love Story is told from Micah's perspective. Micah hasn't dated for years. He had one boyfriend in college but it was a hugely disappointing experience (his boyfriend was a complete jerk) that he gave up on love and focused his time on building a successful career in IT security. One night, when drunk, he contacts Angel (an escort) and hires him. Not for sex, but rather to show him what it's like to be loved.
What follows is not what you'd expect at all. They have their one date which snowballs into a few more, but Micah and Angel's relationship progresses in a very unusual way. They somehow become friends before they truly become anything else and there are a few hurdles they need to cross along the way. There were some teary moments, a few unexpectedly thrilling moments and, yes, some steamy moments. I don't want to give anything anyway, so I'll say no more. Just know that it was a beautiful journey.
Thanks wesley for the recommendation and the fantastic review that tempted me to read this!
This could have been an ordinary story or well, fantasy, about a guy falling in love with an escort. Pretty Woman-ish. But the author created something that was so much more.
Love Story is told from Micah's perspective. Micah hasn't dated for years. He had one boyfriend in college but it was a hugely disappointing experience (his boyfriend was a complete jerk) that he gave up on love and focused his time on building a successful career in IT security. One night, when drunk, he contacts Angel (an escort) and hires him. Not for sex, but rather to show him what it's like to be loved.
What follows is not what you'd expect at all. They have their one date which snowballs into a few more, but Micah and Angel's relationship progresses in a very unusual way. They somehow become friends before they truly become anything else and there are a few hurdles they need to cross along the way. There were some teary moments, a few unexpectedly thrilling moments and, yes, some steamy moments. I don't want to give anything anyway, so I'll say no more. Just know that it was a beautiful journey.
Thanks wesley for the recommendation and the fantastic review that tempted me to read this!
May 4, 2015
I grabbed this book sample from the ‘zon because a bookie friend of mine (that is, a book reading friend, not a legit “bookie”) wrote such an amazing review, I wanted to check it out for myself. After devouring the sample, I was so intrigued that I bought the book so I could continue reading the story.
I am so impressed that this is Author Kate Fierro’s debut novel. Love Starved has a rock solid story line, with well-developed main characters and secondary characters. I really fell for both guys; hook, line and sinker. The more I read, the harder I fell.
Sweet Micah is a successful young man with his own business, and he’s been screwed by Cupid. Only ever having had one boyfriend, he feels like a real relationship is just not in the cards for him. His past relationship tainted the way he viewed himself and his ability to have a sexual relationship. His best friend, Daphne, always tries to get him out in the dating world, to no avail - so one day she passes along a card for a male escort that she is acquainted with. And one lonely night, when Micah is feeling some liquid courage, he messages the escort, Angel. To his surprise, the escort messages him right back, and they proceed with making arrangements for Micah’s “perfect date.”
It sounds weird, I know. Why would a young successful, likeable man like Micah, need to pay for a date? Well, why not? All he wants is one night where his fantasies can come true. One night where Micah’s faith in himself and in romance can be restored. So he can feel normal. And loved. And confident.
And so enters Angel. He’s amazing. He’s handsome and charming and confident, all of the things that Micah is seeking. He takes Micah out for an amazing date and they have a wonderful time. Micah enjoyed himself with Angel so much that he ends up contacting him (and paying him) several more times for more dates.
However, as time goes on, we get a sense that not everything is copacetic in Angel’s life. The more time they spend together, the more attracted Micah becomes to Angel, and the harder Angel tries to maintain a barrier between being professional, and being personal, with Micah.
I don’t want to give away the plot line, suffice it to say that there are some unexpected twists and turns along the way to the HEA that these boys deserve in the end. It becomes a bit of a tangled web as we find out what Angel’s back story is, and what he is dealing with. I felt as if I was on the proverbial emotional roller coaster with this book, feeling so giddy and high reading about Micah and Angel’s emerging relationship, to crashing to sadness over some of Angel’s personal convictions, which led to the boys' separation.
I really enjoyed this story, and fell in love with these two extremely engaging and likeable characters as they traversed along the path to their ‘Happily Ever After.’ I look forward to reading more by new Author, Kate Fierro. If you are looking for a fun, romantic story with a unique plot and a happy ending, this is the book for you.
For more details, see https://rainbowgoldreviews.wordpress....
I am so impressed that this is Author Kate Fierro’s debut novel. Love Starved has a rock solid story line, with well-developed main characters and secondary characters. I really fell for both guys; hook, line and sinker. The more I read, the harder I fell.
Sweet Micah is a successful young man with his own business, and he’s been screwed by Cupid. Only ever having had one boyfriend, he feels like a real relationship is just not in the cards for him. His past relationship tainted the way he viewed himself and his ability to have a sexual relationship. His best friend, Daphne, always tries to get him out in the dating world, to no avail - so one day she passes along a card for a male escort that she is acquainted with. And one lonely night, when Micah is feeling some liquid courage, he messages the escort, Angel. To his surprise, the escort messages him right back, and they proceed with making arrangements for Micah’s “perfect date.”
It sounds weird, I know. Why would a young successful, likeable man like Micah, need to pay for a date? Well, why not? All he wants is one night where his fantasies can come true. One night where Micah’s faith in himself and in romance can be restored. So he can feel normal. And loved. And confident.
And so enters Angel. He’s amazing. He’s handsome and charming and confident, all of the things that Micah is seeking. He takes Micah out for an amazing date and they have a wonderful time. Micah enjoyed himself with Angel so much that he ends up contacting him (and paying him) several more times for more dates.
However, as time goes on, we get a sense that not everything is copacetic in Angel’s life. The more time they spend together, the more attracted Micah becomes to Angel, and the harder Angel tries to maintain a barrier between being professional, and being personal, with Micah.
I don’t want to give away the plot line, suffice it to say that there are some unexpected twists and turns along the way to the HEA that these boys deserve in the end. It becomes a bit of a tangled web as we find out what Angel’s back story is, and what he is dealing with. I felt as if I was on the proverbial emotional roller coaster with this book, feeling so giddy and high reading about Micah and Angel’s emerging relationship, to crashing to sadness over some of Angel’s personal convictions, which led to the boys' separation.
I really enjoyed this story, and fell in love with these two extremely engaging and likeable characters as they traversed along the path to their ‘Happily Ever After.’ I look forward to reading more by new Author, Kate Fierro. If you are looking for a fun, romantic story with a unique plot and a happy ending, this is the book for you.
For more details, see https://rainbowgoldreviews.wordpress....
February 4, 2016
I didn't have high hopes based on the cover and title, but this was really good. It was sweet, romantic as hell, and a little gritty. A nice slow burn too, which I appreciate.
September 26, 2015
At twenty-seven, Micah Geller has more money than he needs, a job he loves, a debut book coming out and a brilliant career in information security before him. What he doesn’t have is a partner to share it with—a fact that he’s never allowed to bother him much. Until Daphne, a close friend, gives him the card of a high-class escort she highly recommends. Micah has no intention of contacting the man, but a moment of drunken weakness unleashes the longing romantic in him and Micah wakes to find that he’s made a ‘date’ with the man… a date for which he’s paid over a thousand dollars in advance and tasked Angel to: "Show me what it’s like to feel loved."
A well-written story with intriguing main characters. It’s written entirely from Micah’s point of view, and I’m coming to find more and more that single POV isn’t my favorite. So often it leaves me wanting to be more in touch with the other character. Being on the outside and seeing only through Micah’s eyes, we get a very one-sided view of Angel for quite a long while. There are hints that things are going on beyond what we see, which was fine at first but I did began to get frustrated when Micah either didn’t pick up on things or got sidetracked from them so easily.
Micah is successful and a bit of a nerd/geek. Due to being hurt by his first and only boyfriend Brian, he’s leery of relationships. Brian, his ex, is portrayed in such a negative manner that it rather left me wondering what Micah had ever seen in him that had caused him to be so very much in love that his breakup with him would cause him such pain and disillusionment. I’d have loved to see more nuance to Brian in his memories, the good along with the bad.
Angel is bi-sexual and a larger percentage of his clients are female than are male. After the initial fantasy date, due to being seen by someone close to him, Micah chooses to rehire Angel to be his pretend boyfriend a few times rather than admitting to having hired an escort.
The relationship between these two is slow to build, often one step forward and two steps back, and I enjoyed that. Micah continued servicing his clients for some time after they met, and Micah didn’t once attempt to sway him away from doing so. Also while Micah easily could have taken advantage of fulfilling his sexual fantasies with Angel, for the most part he didn’t, even after he paid him for a sexual date. He’s a very sweet guy, and I loved that about him. Loved the slow burn of their romance.
Even after we get to the point of seeing a bit more about what is going on with Angel, things still moved slowly. A few things bugged me about Angel/Aiden’s motivations for doing the things he did, they were a bit over the top of the whore with the heart of gold theme for me. The info given on his background didn’t make me buy into him having enough motivation to prompt him into doing what he did for the reason he did. And Micah’s family were all way too sweet and accepting of a situation that might well have caused at least a smidge of concern. A minor annoyance I found jumping out at me quite early was how often both of the characters winked, it started to feel contrived after a while.
Overall though, I very much enjoyed reading this exploration of two men slowly learning to trust in each other after both have had trust issues in the past. There were many poignant and sweet moments that kept me fully enthralled. The sexual tension was high, and the romance was at times deeply touching.
The cover sparkled. It stood out from the others and called to me with its art and the bright, warm sparkly colors.
A well-written story with intriguing main characters. It’s written entirely from Micah’s point of view, and I’m coming to find more and more that single POV isn’t my favorite. So often it leaves me wanting to be more in touch with the other character. Being on the outside and seeing only through Micah’s eyes, we get a very one-sided view of Angel for quite a long while. There are hints that things are going on beyond what we see, which was fine at first but I did began to get frustrated when Micah either didn’t pick up on things or got sidetracked from them so easily.
Micah is successful and a bit of a nerd/geek. Due to being hurt by his first and only boyfriend Brian, he’s leery of relationships. Brian, his ex, is portrayed in such a negative manner that it rather left me wondering what Micah had ever seen in him that had caused him to be so very much in love that his breakup with him would cause him such pain and disillusionment. I’d have loved to see more nuance to Brian in his memories, the good along with the bad.
Angel is bi-sexual and a larger percentage of his clients are female than are male. After the initial fantasy date, due to being seen by someone close to him, Micah chooses to rehire Angel to be his pretend boyfriend a few times rather than admitting to having hired an escort.
The relationship between these two is slow to build, often one step forward and two steps back, and I enjoyed that. Micah continued servicing his clients for some time after they met, and Micah didn’t once attempt to sway him away from doing so. Also while Micah easily could have taken advantage of fulfilling his sexual fantasies with Angel, for the most part he didn’t, even after he paid him for a sexual date. He’s a very sweet guy, and I loved that about him. Loved the slow burn of their romance.
Even after we get to the point of seeing a bit more about what is going on with Angel, things still moved slowly. A few things bugged me about Angel/Aiden’s motivations for doing the things he did, they were a bit over the top of the whore with the heart of gold theme for me. The info given on his background didn’t make me buy into him having enough motivation to prompt him into doing what he did for the reason he did. And Micah’s family were all way too sweet and accepting of a situation that might well have caused at least a smidge of concern. A minor annoyance I found jumping out at me quite early was how often both of the characters winked, it started to feel contrived after a while.
Overall though, I very much enjoyed reading this exploration of two men slowly learning to trust in each other after both have had trust issues in the past. There were many poignant and sweet moments that kept me fully enthralled. The sexual tension was high, and the romance was at times deeply touching.
The cover sparkled. It stood out from the others and called to me with its art and the bright, warm sparkly colors.
April 9, 2017
4.5 stars, plus extra for that wonderful cover!
Magical and real. A journey to finding confidence in yourself, confidence to take from life what you need and get yourself where you want to go, instead of letting life (or anything/one else) beat you up.
I loved the slow slide towards love, the realistic way in which the characters acted, how they oh so slowly meshed, and how they changed both their lives because of their relationship with each other.
I was pissed, I was hurt, I was making glistening anime eyes, I was happy and awed and in the end thankful.
Really great story, if you're interested, definitely go ahead and read it!
Magical and real. A journey to finding confidence in yourself, confidence to take from life what you need and get yourself where you want to go, instead of letting life (or anything/one else) beat you up.
I loved the slow slide towards love, the realistic way in which the characters acted, how they oh so slowly meshed, and how they changed both their lives because of their relationship with each other.
I was pissed, I was hurt, I was making glistening anime eyes, I was happy and awed and in the end thankful.
Really great story, if you're interested, definitely go ahead and read it!
April 21, 2015
I was lucky enough to get an Advance copy of this book, yay!
What I loved most about this book: it took me by surprise over and over. Is there anything more entertaining than a book that transports you, that takes turns you weren’t expecting and keeps you turning the pages because you just have to know?
Love Starved is a story about Micah Geller, 27, a man who works in information security and lives an independent, successful, and slightly lonely life in Minneapolis. While he tells himself he isn’t lonely, and that he doesn’t need love, Fierro does an excellent job showing us that he is and does with restraint that makes us feel it. Early in the book, his friend Daphne challenges his assertions that he doesn’t need love or physical connection and gives him the name of a personal escort who specializes in creating custom fantasy scenarios for his clients.
The initial premise of the book — that Micah ends up asking Angel for one night to show him what it feels like to be loved — compelled me. This is the place where the book begins to step away from a common trope we’d be expecting in a romance about a lonely man calling an escort. How on earth was Angel going to pull this off?
I don’t want to give away the plot of the book, but I will say that this was the first of several turns the book took that elevated it from any expectations I had. I literally couldn’t put the book down — whenever I thought I could (mainly because my kids wanted to play or I had to make dinner) — I got sucked back in by a twist I didn’t see coming. It takes a great writer to pull this off effectively, while maintaining a believable chemistry and unfolding a relationship (or potential relationship).
There are many things I could praise Fierro for, but one in particular I wanted to single out: the way she handled Micah’s romantic history. It is incredibly hard to write about someone who has been burned by love without making it too cliched, too saccharine, or too expected. From the start I thought Micah’s heartbreak was going to be a story of a lost lover and longing for him. But it very much wasn’t. And what’s better, Fierro doesn’t just tell us what happened: she shows us slowly and organically. She doesn’t explicitly tell us that it Micah was emotionally manipulated or that he spent two years learning to believe that what he got — not much — was what love was, and what’s more painful, that that was the most love he could expect or deserved. Through this story, we get the privilege of watching Micah unpack this past in a natural progression that very much honors the real life work that is healing from an emotionally manipulative and painful relationship. Watching Micah learn just how much he’s worth and what love between two people can be — not just something he deserves, but something he has to give — felt like an honor.
This book is the perfect romantic read: well written, a plot that keeps you hooked, with a love story you can’t help but root for.
Also, high praise for her cover artist, who captured beautifully one of the highlights and themes of the book with her depiction of starlight behind the characters.
What I loved most about this book: it took me by surprise over and over. Is there anything more entertaining than a book that transports you, that takes turns you weren’t expecting and keeps you turning the pages because you just have to know?
Love Starved is a story about Micah Geller, 27, a man who works in information security and lives an independent, successful, and slightly lonely life in Minneapolis. While he tells himself he isn’t lonely, and that he doesn’t need love, Fierro does an excellent job showing us that he is and does with restraint that makes us feel it. Early in the book, his friend Daphne challenges his assertions that he doesn’t need love or physical connection and gives him the name of a personal escort who specializes in creating custom fantasy scenarios for his clients.
The initial premise of the book — that Micah ends up asking Angel for one night to show him what it feels like to be loved — compelled me. This is the place where the book begins to step away from a common trope we’d be expecting in a romance about a lonely man calling an escort. How on earth was Angel going to pull this off?
I don’t want to give away the plot of the book, but I will say that this was the first of several turns the book took that elevated it from any expectations I had. I literally couldn’t put the book down — whenever I thought I could (mainly because my kids wanted to play or I had to make dinner) — I got sucked back in by a twist I didn’t see coming. It takes a great writer to pull this off effectively, while maintaining a believable chemistry and unfolding a relationship (or potential relationship).
There are many things I could praise Fierro for, but one in particular I wanted to single out: the way she handled Micah’s romantic history. It is incredibly hard to write about someone who has been burned by love without making it too cliched, too saccharine, or too expected. From the start I thought Micah’s heartbreak was going to be a story of a lost lover and longing for him. But it very much wasn’t. And what’s better, Fierro doesn’t just tell us what happened: she shows us slowly and organically. She doesn’t explicitly tell us that it Micah was emotionally manipulated or that he spent two years learning to believe that what he got — not much — was what love was, and what’s more painful, that that was the most love he could expect or deserved. Through this story, we get the privilege of watching Micah unpack this past in a natural progression that very much honors the real life work that is healing from an emotionally manipulative and painful relationship. Watching Micah learn just how much he’s worth and what love between two people can be — not just something he deserves, but something he has to give — felt like an honor.
This book is the perfect romantic read: well written, a plot that keeps you hooked, with a love story you can’t help but root for.
Also, high praise for her cover artist, who captured beautifully one of the highlights and themes of the book with her depiction of starlight behind the characters.
February 23, 2017
Love Starved is a compelling story of two men trapped in their own warped view of life, having lost hope in their dreams for a better life.
Fierro has written a compelling story that you will not want to put down. Each of her original characters are dynamic, and have a depth and complexity that is revealed throughout the story. Micah Geller is a man who has been hurt, and given up on love because of it. He spends his days running his IT company and fills his life with work to the exclusion of all but a small number of friends and family. Angel is a man who, due to circumstances beyond his control, has become a high-priced escort specializing in fantasy fulfillment. Due to his job, he has eschewed both friendship and love. When Micah is introduced to the concept of a fantasy service by his best friend, Daphne (think Kristin Chenowith living in Minnesota), he considers the idea laughable, until a drunken moment of angst has him sending Angel a message, essentially: Show me what it’s like to feel loved.
As the novel continues, the story develops far beyond the Pretty Woman trope. We see these two men grow first as friends becoming best friends, then as lovers separated by the main antagonist in the story, a man who sends shivers down my spine still, several days after putting the book to bed. Fierro is a master of writing angst. Fierro has created a story that compels you to care about characters that existed first in her mind, but crawl their way into the reader’s heart. The story is so well-developed that you can’t help but want to jump in and fight for them.
This is a story for every person who has ever been hurt or become jaded on life. For everyone who ever needed a friend in just the right moment. For everyone who has lost hope that life will ever get better. Fierro has written a masterful story that will keep you engaged right up to the very end. Be prepared before you begin.
It is a book you won’t want to put down.
Fierro has written a compelling story that you will not want to put down. Each of her original characters are dynamic, and have a depth and complexity that is revealed throughout the story. Micah Geller is a man who has been hurt, and given up on love because of it. He spends his days running his IT company and fills his life with work to the exclusion of all but a small number of friends and family. Angel is a man who, due to circumstances beyond his control, has become a high-priced escort specializing in fantasy fulfillment. Due to his job, he has eschewed both friendship and love. When Micah is introduced to the concept of a fantasy service by his best friend, Daphne (think Kristin Chenowith living in Minnesota), he considers the idea laughable, until a drunken moment of angst has him sending Angel a message, essentially: Show me what it’s like to feel loved.
As the novel continues, the story develops far beyond the Pretty Woman trope. We see these two men grow first as friends becoming best friends, then as lovers separated by the main antagonist in the story, a man who sends shivers down my spine still, several days after putting the book to bed. Fierro is a master of writing angst. Fierro has created a story that compels you to care about characters that existed first in her mind, but crawl their way into the reader’s heart. The story is so well-developed that you can’t help but want to jump in and fight for them.
This is a story for every person who has ever been hurt or become jaded on life. For everyone who ever needed a friend in just the right moment. For everyone who has lost hope that life will ever get better. Fierro has written a masterful story that will keep you engaged right up to the very end. Be prepared before you begin.
It is a book you won’t want to put down.
May 4, 2015
Original Blog Post: Blog Tour, eARC REview, Excerpt & #Giveaway: Love Starved by Kate Fierro
I really did not know what to expect from this book. There were red flags warning me this could not possibly work. Debut author is one. Another is the other MC is a sex worker. How will their relationship even work? Then there is the title, Love Starved. Conclusion, one is starved for love and falls for the wrong man.
The resulting read was an eye opener. True, Angel is a sex worker and he makes sure his clients' fantasies are fulfilled. Then again, one wonders, why does he do this? He is a college student taking up law and he is too sweet a man to be involved in such a profession. Then there is Micah. Well, he truly is love starved and we get to know that from the get go. But then we ask why he should fall for a younger man than him knowing full well he guy is just for hire?
As the story progresses, I came to the point where I asked: what is the point? Where is this leading to? And just when I did ask, I got to that point and got led into a story that intrigued. I began to realize, both men were starving for love for reasons of their own and their getting to know each other away form the fantasy became the basis for a relationship that would work.
This is a really pleasing surprise read and the way the relationship progressed was as well. No insta-anything, no over the top angst and drama, just life and how it could go wrong. It is a story of how two men get to grow into a realization their physical needs are not as important as what their hearts require.
I really did not know what to expect from this book. There were red flags warning me this could not possibly work. Debut author is one. Another is the other MC is a sex worker. How will their relationship even work? Then there is the title, Love Starved. Conclusion, one is starved for love and falls for the wrong man.
The resulting read was an eye opener. True, Angel is a sex worker and he makes sure his clients' fantasies are fulfilled. Then again, one wonders, why does he do this? He is a college student taking up law and he is too sweet a man to be involved in such a profession. Then there is Micah. Well, he truly is love starved and we get to know that from the get go. But then we ask why he should fall for a younger man than him knowing full well he guy is just for hire?
As the story progresses, I came to the point where I asked: what is the point? Where is this leading to? And just when I did ask, I got to that point and got led into a story that intrigued. I began to realize, both men were starving for love for reasons of their own and their getting to know each other away form the fantasy became the basis for a relationship that would work.
This is a really pleasing surprise read and the way the relationship progressed was as well. No insta-anything, no over the top angst and drama, just life and how it could go wrong. It is a story of how two men get to grow into a realization their physical needs are not as important as what their hearts require.
July 8, 2015
I had heard great things about this book before I started reading, so I did expect to enjoy it. What I wasn't prepared for was to fall so completely in love so quickly with both main characters and their individual and shared journeys. Whatever you might expect from this book going in: it is so much more!
Micah is a successful businessman who actually loves his job, but he's neglected his private life and doesn't think much about his personal hopes and dreams. Angel is a professional escort, entering the scene so collected and calm and confident. Micah's request seems impossible yet charmingly innocent: he wants to know what it's like to feel loved.
As the story begins to peel away the layers of both characters and we get to see beneath the surface, as both men get to see each other more and more for who they are, what unfolds is a story of friendship and kindness, of people genuinely caring about one another and learning about themselves in the process.
What it comes down to is the most basic human need of being needed and the deep-seated wish to matter.
The characters in this book are complex and likeable and wonderfully human. There is a depth to them that makes it impossible not to fall in love with them. And the plot that unfolds as their paths keep crossing is captivating and masterfully told.
This is going on the re-read list! Highly recommended!
Micah is a successful businessman who actually loves his job, but he's neglected his private life and doesn't think much about his personal hopes and dreams. Angel is a professional escort, entering the scene so collected and calm and confident. Micah's request seems impossible yet charmingly innocent: he wants to know what it's like to feel loved.
As the story begins to peel away the layers of both characters and we get to see beneath the surface, as both men get to see each other more and more for who they are, what unfolds is a story of friendship and kindness, of people genuinely caring about one another and learning about themselves in the process.
What it comes down to is the most basic human need of being needed and the deep-seated wish to matter.
The characters in this book are complex and likeable and wonderfully human. There is a depth to them that makes it impossible not to fall in love with them. And the plot that unfolds as their paths keep crossing is captivating and masterfully told.
This is going on the re-read list! Highly recommended!
April 22, 2015
Is the concept a little tropey? Yes. But it’s so masterfully executed that I don’t care. The plot moves like caramel, nice and slow and thick and tasty, and sexy and bold and warm. I mean, it never felt dull, and I finished this book in less than a day, it sucked me in so hard. I give it an A+.
March 27, 2015
4.5 out of 5 stars
May 3, 2016
It’s hard to say to which main character in this book the title refers—they both seem a bit “love starved.” Micah is a busy, successful writer and “information security” guy who’s alone because he’s sworn himself into it after a too-long bad relationship and subsequent breakup with a Class A controlling jerk. He’s given the card of an escort called Angel, whose performance involves romance and attentiveness and things that feel like real dates (and, oh, by the way, really expert sex); in loneliness, Micah calls Angel. The two have some “dates,” or “encounters,” or whatever scare-quoted euphemisms might convey that they go out and they stay in and do kissing things together during which Micah’s head almost twists itself off from how lovely it is to be treated with such kind and caring attention.
But Angel keeps mysteriously cancelling on him, or running out at the smallest chirp of a text message, and everything festers awful when Angel can’t keep up the glossy veneer anymore and his body—quite literally—breaks down in front of Micah.
Angel needs rescuing, and Micah wants to rescue. But things can’t rest easy like that—the days of princesses in towers are over (if they ever were even under), and chivalry didn’t die so much as it got rejected for being rather imbalanced, power-wise. The story would be pretty damn disappointing if Micah were welcomed to swoop in, fix everything, and carry Angel off on his shoulder.
Instead, what happens is a more careful attempt at recognizing someone’s humanity, a negotiation in which both players have a say: not a rescue, but an offered hand-up and the choice to take it or not. And afterward, there’s a rather messy mess to sort through. This is the loveliness of this story: it seems fully conscious of the path we expect it to take (because all love stories take that path, depending on a rescue and chivalry and the rejection of one form of prostitution for what usually resembles another… and if you can stand the gagging and irritation, you can re-watch Pretty Woman for evidence) and does not take that path.
I’m trying not to say too much about the plot here—except that it’s compelling, a path down which one races to discover what’s at its end. The reader wants to do this, in part, because, in the best of ways, the story doesn’t fulfill expectations—it takes on the “hooker with a heart of gold” trope, but doesn’t become its servant. What I really want to talk about is how this all ends up, but I’m in a quandary, because doing so requires either that I give away the plot or do some fancy footwork to avoid that and still say what I mean to say.
I’m going to try the footwork, though I’m a pretty terrible dancer and I walk with a cane. Let’s watch me try:
The final chapter of this novel jumps ahead a bit in time, after the plot seems to have resolved itself, and lands in a pretty clichéd place. But then I kept reading, and it turned out not to be the place I thought it was, and I was so relieved, and so happy that it wasn’t that clichéd place the plot hadn’t seemed to earn yet.
(Phoo, getting winded from all this tap-dancing… I’m going to have to sit in a moment.)
What I’m trying to say: there is what seems to be a deliberate disobedience of formula at the end of the story that I just adored. This, from a story that had all the elements to make a Pretty (Wo)Man cliché but chooses, instead, to work at realness (see what I’m getting at here? It’s like the plot itself: fantasy escort dates that become, with effort, real love). The fantasy of love, as Micah learns, as we learn reading along, is way less satisfying than the flawed, sticky, banged-up and difficult real deal.
The fantasy is tempting, for sure (in this case, it’s promised through a flashy special-effects business card that changes to be what you want as you look at it and comes with a gentlemanly, attractive package wearing a sport coat and carrying roses). But this story takes, at each turn, the harder path, the more genuine one—it takes off the sport coat, puts down the flowers, and revels in the imperfection of its characters. And that, to bastardize Frost, has made all the difference.
(OK. Now I’m going to fold up my walking cane and take a rest here for a spell, maybe watch some YouTube videos of good dancers.)
But Angel keeps mysteriously cancelling on him, or running out at the smallest chirp of a text message, and everything festers awful when Angel can’t keep up the glossy veneer anymore and his body—quite literally—breaks down in front of Micah.
Angel needs rescuing, and Micah wants to rescue. But things can’t rest easy like that—the days of princesses in towers are over (if they ever were even under), and chivalry didn’t die so much as it got rejected for being rather imbalanced, power-wise. The story would be pretty damn disappointing if Micah were welcomed to swoop in, fix everything, and carry Angel off on his shoulder.
Instead, what happens is a more careful attempt at recognizing someone’s humanity, a negotiation in which both players have a say: not a rescue, but an offered hand-up and the choice to take it or not. And afterward, there’s a rather messy mess to sort through. This is the loveliness of this story: it seems fully conscious of the path we expect it to take (because all love stories take that path, depending on a rescue and chivalry and the rejection of one form of prostitution for what usually resembles another… and if you can stand the gagging and irritation, you can re-watch Pretty Woman for evidence) and does not take that path.
I’m trying not to say too much about the plot here—except that it’s compelling, a path down which one races to discover what’s at its end. The reader wants to do this, in part, because, in the best of ways, the story doesn’t fulfill expectations—it takes on the “hooker with a heart of gold” trope, but doesn’t become its servant. What I really want to talk about is how this all ends up, but I’m in a quandary, because doing so requires either that I give away the plot or do some fancy footwork to avoid that and still say what I mean to say.
I’m going to try the footwork, though I’m a pretty terrible dancer and I walk with a cane. Let’s watch me try:
The final chapter of this novel jumps ahead a bit in time, after the plot seems to have resolved itself, and lands in a pretty clichéd place. But then I kept reading, and it turned out not to be the place I thought it was, and I was so relieved, and so happy that it wasn’t that clichéd place the plot hadn’t seemed to earn yet.
(Phoo, getting winded from all this tap-dancing… I’m going to have to sit in a moment.)
What I’m trying to say: there is what seems to be a deliberate disobedience of formula at the end of the story that I just adored. This, from a story that had all the elements to make a Pretty (Wo)Man cliché but chooses, instead, to work at realness (see what I’m getting at here? It’s like the plot itself: fantasy escort dates that become, with effort, real love). The fantasy of love, as Micah learns, as we learn reading along, is way less satisfying than the flawed, sticky, banged-up and difficult real deal.
The fantasy is tempting, for sure (in this case, it’s promised through a flashy special-effects business card that changes to be what you want as you look at it and comes with a gentlemanly, attractive package wearing a sport coat and carrying roses). But this story takes, at each turn, the harder path, the more genuine one—it takes off the sport coat, puts down the flowers, and revels in the imperfection of its characters. And that, to bastardize Frost, has made all the difference.
(OK. Now I’m going to fold up my walking cane and take a rest here for a spell, maybe watch some YouTube videos of good dancers.)
June 10, 2015
I was given the distinct pleasure of being asked to read an advance copy of Kate Fierro’s debut novel, Love Starved, in exchange for an honest review. I was familiar with Fierro’s independent writing already and, having always enjoyed her work, I trusted that she would bring her consistently lovely writing style to her first book as well. I will admit, however, to underestimating just how much I would become immersed in the world and characters that Kate has created. I wasn’t prepared for the emotion I would feel for these characters, but it sure didn’t take me long to feel it.
Micah Geller, a 27 year old Information Security Consultant living in Minneapolis, has resolved to spend his life alone, with his challenging work as his primary companion. Micah’s past heartbreak has instilled in him both a fear of relationships, and a seeming disinterest in romantic intimacy. As such, he spends what little free time he has with his friend Daphne and his sister Claudia. It is Daphne who inadvertently sets in motion the events that will change not only Micah’s view on living in solitude, but his entire life.
At Daphne’s recommendation, Micah gets in touch with a private escort, Angel, who specializes in fulfilling the fantasies of both men and women. Micah isn’t interested in paying Angel for sex. What he wants from him instead is to feel loved and cherished, and he goes so far as to tell his family that they are in a relationship. Micah hires Angel a few more times to keep up this charade, and it isn’t long before the two begin to develop a friendship. We start to learn more about Angel and his struggles as Micah’s feelings for him grow, and the two are faced with navigating their complicated relationship in the face of the challenges of Angel’s profession.
In Micah, Kate Fierro has created a man who is both vulnerable and brave, independent but lonely, terrified of intimacy but, when faced with the right opportunity, ready to take the risk. I felt a connection to him immediately, and his deep humanity was evident right from the start. Angel was a much harder read - definitely an elusive character. This does stand to reason, but I still found myself wanting to explore him sooner than I was able to. However, once Angel began to be developed more and I saw pieces of his human frailty, I quickly became just as interested in his story. The exploration of his bisexuality was a welcome plot point as well.
To say that this book kept me engaged throughout would be a vast understatement. In fact, I simply devoured it! I had to force myself to put it aside when I had weekend company, and even then I found myself sneaking away at random intervals just to get in a couple of pages. Kate Fierro has a very strong ability to weave an absorbing plot with consistent pacing, as well as to create characters that keep readers engaged and invested throughout. I remain a huge fan of her work!
Micah Geller, a 27 year old Information Security Consultant living in Minneapolis, has resolved to spend his life alone, with his challenging work as his primary companion. Micah’s past heartbreak has instilled in him both a fear of relationships, and a seeming disinterest in romantic intimacy. As such, he spends what little free time he has with his friend Daphne and his sister Claudia. It is Daphne who inadvertently sets in motion the events that will change not only Micah’s view on living in solitude, but his entire life.
At Daphne’s recommendation, Micah gets in touch with a private escort, Angel, who specializes in fulfilling the fantasies of both men and women. Micah isn’t interested in paying Angel for sex. What he wants from him instead is to feel loved and cherished, and he goes so far as to tell his family that they are in a relationship. Micah hires Angel a few more times to keep up this charade, and it isn’t long before the two begin to develop a friendship. We start to learn more about Angel and his struggles as Micah’s feelings for him grow, and the two are faced with navigating their complicated relationship in the face of the challenges of Angel’s profession.
In Micah, Kate Fierro has created a man who is both vulnerable and brave, independent but lonely, terrified of intimacy but, when faced with the right opportunity, ready to take the risk. I felt a connection to him immediately, and his deep humanity was evident right from the start. Angel was a much harder read - definitely an elusive character. This does stand to reason, but I still found myself wanting to explore him sooner than I was able to. However, once Angel began to be developed more and I saw pieces of his human frailty, I quickly became just as interested in his story. The exploration of his bisexuality was a welcome plot point as well.
To say that this book kept me engaged throughout would be a vast understatement. In fact, I simply devoured it! I had to force myself to put it aside when I had weekend company, and even then I found myself sneaking away at random intervals just to get in a couple of pages. Kate Fierro has a very strong ability to weave an absorbing plot with consistent pacing, as well as to create characters that keep readers engaged and invested throughout. I remain a huge fan of her work!
November 27, 2021
At a first glance, the premise of this book seems to be nothing new - rich guy falls in love with prostitute, conflict ensues, conflict is resolved. But the plot is so much richer than that.
Although it is told from Micah's perspective, from the very beginning we get to see moments of Angel's humanity behind the performance, moments that even Micah doesn't seem to realize are there. Seeing the way that their relationship unfolds, with ups and downs and so many complications that are ever so present in real human relationships is such a pleasure. Their conflicts sometimes mirror, sometimes complement each other. They both have intimacy issues, Micah has a good connection with his family and close friends but has had no luck in the love department and Angel has trouble connecting to people in a personal level. His vulnerability and incredulous joy when [spoiler alert!] Micah chooses his friendship over sex is extremely touching.
Over all, there were plenty of easy plot points that the author could have gone for but didn't, and the book is that much better for it. These characters are three dimensional and they are treated with respect. When one of them is victim to violence he is never reduced to just a pitiful victim.
I have only two complaints about this book, the first is that I think the 1% is already overrepresented in romance fiction. The second is that I had so many favorite moments dispersed throughout the book that coming back to them pretty much requires rereading the whole thing, which is kind of hard when you don't have unlimited time for leisure reading. But it was well worth the few hours of sleep I skipped. 5/5 *will* read again.
Although it is told from Micah's perspective, from the very beginning we get to see moments of Angel's humanity behind the performance, moments that even Micah doesn't seem to realize are there. Seeing the way that their relationship unfolds, with ups and downs and so many complications that are ever so present in real human relationships is such a pleasure. Their conflicts sometimes mirror, sometimes complement each other. They both have intimacy issues, Micah has a good connection with his family and close friends but has had no luck in the love department and Angel has trouble connecting to people in a personal level. His vulnerability and incredulous joy when [spoiler alert!] Micah chooses his friendship over sex is extremely touching.
Over all, there were plenty of easy plot points that the author could have gone for but didn't, and the book is that much better for it. These characters are three dimensional and they are treated with respect. When one of them is victim to violence he is never reduced to just a pitiful victim.
I have only two complaints about this book, the first is that I think the 1% is already overrepresented in romance fiction. The second is that I had so many favorite moments dispersed throughout the book that coming back to them pretty much requires rereading the whole thing, which is kind of hard when you don't have unlimited time for leisure reading. But it was well worth the few hours of sleep I skipped. 5/5 *will* read again.
April 30, 2015
4.5 stars!
as much as this book seems like it will just be one big cliche...it's not. it's actually a really epic love story. and really, the one thing micah is looking for turns out to be the exact thing he shows angel.
i love micah because he's truly a great guy. he is strong and cute and nerdy and loving. because of a really bad past relationship and his highly demanding career, he's become somewhat isolated. he's kind of given up hope for a future relationship and decides to just hire an escort at a friend's urging. and this becomes a big tangled web throughout which he learns to love and how to be a best friend.
oh angel...his armor of self confidence and arrogance is pretty thick and tall. and micah strips him of that armor completely and finds that angel is vulnerable and feels worthless underneath that armor. angel was hired to show micah how it feels to be loved, but can he really show micah when he doesn't really know?
i started to highlight some of my favorite parts but then realized that my favorite parts are basically Chapter 24. so yeah...
the writing is really good and the character development was great. the supporting cast was superb. overall, a complete story that is sure to make you smile, laugh, grit your teeth in anger, cry and then smile. really big.
as much as this book seems like it will just be one big cliche...it's not. it's actually a really epic love story. and really, the one thing micah is looking for turns out to be the exact thing he shows angel.
i love micah because he's truly a great guy. he is strong and cute and nerdy and loving. because of a really bad past relationship and his highly demanding career, he's become somewhat isolated. he's kind of given up hope for a future relationship and decides to just hire an escort at a friend's urging. and this becomes a big tangled web throughout which he learns to love and how to be a best friend.
oh angel...his armor of self confidence and arrogance is pretty thick and tall. and micah strips him of that armor completely and finds that angel is vulnerable and feels worthless underneath that armor. angel was hired to show micah how it feels to be loved, but can he really show micah when he doesn't really know?
i started to highlight some of my favorite parts but then realized that my favorite parts are basically Chapter 24. so yeah...
the writing is really good and the character development was great. the supporting cast was superb. overall, a complete story that is sure to make you smile, laugh, grit your teeth in anger, cry and then smile. really big.
August 18, 2015
Love Starved touched upon a familiar romance trope. A person meets up with a sex worker, person falls for the sex worker who can't do romance due to their job.
I loved this take on this trope. The main characters were very sympathetic and you cared for both Micah and Angel/Aiden pretty much from the get-go. The tension in the plot had me wanting to read everything in one go. I had to contain myself though. But I loved coming back to this story, see how the relationship developed and the obstacles in Micah's and Aiden's way.
And oh, did the second to last chapter make me cry. Aiden waiting for Micah and his confession. My heart!
This was such a beautiful tale about love and friendship. Really, really enjoyed it.
I loved this take on this trope. The main characters were very sympathetic and you cared for both Micah and Angel/Aiden pretty much from the get-go. The tension in the plot had me wanting to read everything in one go. I had to contain myself though. But I loved coming back to this story, see how the relationship developed and the obstacles in Micah's and Aiden's way.
And oh, did the second to last chapter make me cry. Aiden waiting for Micah and his confession. My heart!
This was such a beautiful tale about love and friendship. Really, really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2015
TEASER
What a debut by Kate Fierro! Love Starved is a touching, heart-warming, feel good romance.
The synopsis of this book leaves so much out, but in an oh-so-sweet way. Kate Fierro leads you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and at every corner she has you waiting with baited breath to see what happens next. This story is a reminder that love can occur in the most unlikely of circumstances, especially when you least expect it.
READ FULL REVIEW AT:
http://blog.queercentricbooks.com/lov...
OR
FB: Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
https://www.facebook.com/KimmersEroti...
What a debut by Kate Fierro! Love Starved is a touching, heart-warming, feel good romance.
The synopsis of this book leaves so much out, but in an oh-so-sweet way. Kate Fierro leads you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and at every corner she has you waiting with baited breath to see what happens next. This story is a reminder that love can occur in the most unlikely of circumstances, especially when you least expect it.
READ FULL REVIEW AT:
http://blog.queercentricbooks.com/lov...
OR
FB: Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
https://www.facebook.com/KimmersEroti...
March 23, 2016
Aww, such a perfect, beautiful, sweet story! Besides, it finally broke a streak of boring, bad and unfulfilling books I seem to read lately - and reminded me what a joy it is to read a wonderful book.
I love this kind of premise: sex worker and client falling in love - but it is not always done well, let's be honest. Here it is perfect. The plot was unpredictable, complicated and the stakes were so high I was on the edge with worry for the characters. And both MCs are such darlings, I don't even know which one I love better. They both did so much to achieve happiness, and I was happy for them!
I love this kind of premise: sex worker and client falling in love - but it is not always done well, let's be honest. Here it is perfect. The plot was unpredictable, complicated and the stakes were so high I was on the edge with worry for the characters. And both MCs are such darlings, I don't even know which one I love better. They both did so much to achieve happiness, and I was happy for them!
March 10, 2016
4.5*
Okay...I have been in a reading slump for a month or two. Start a book stop and start another one. Nothing has held my interest. But WOW! This book did!
This story slowly evolves around "Angel" and Micah. From friendship to BFF's and more. Micah didn't want to save or fix Angel or make him feel guilty for doing what he does. And Micah's family were all so awesome. There is drama and angst but it fit the story. Love this book!
Okay...I have been in a reading slump for a month or two. Start a book stop and start another one. Nothing has held my interest. But WOW! This book did!
This story slowly evolves around "Angel" and Micah. From friendship to BFF's and more. Micah didn't want to save or fix Angel or make him feel guilty for doing what he does. And Micah's family were all so awesome. There is drama and angst but it fit the story. Love this book!
May 2, 2015
This book was simply wonderful.
April 25, 2015
FiveStars
This was a beautiful story. Micah takes a chance on a escort service to fulfill his fantasy of feeling loved. You would think that you would wonder is the escort giving you what you paid for or is it for real. This is Micah and Angel's story. A very well put together story that has you hoping for the HEA.
Micah was a lonely and scared man, but I thought that he didn't let himself go to enjoy himself. Angel had tons of secrets, but treated Micah with respect and love. The relationship that develops between the two is beautiful. I felt Aiden taught Micah so much about relationships and love, and brought out the best in him.
There was one secondary character I thought added so much to the book. Daphne, Micah's FRIEND, she was loud, bubbly and very nosey. She was always there for Micah.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is a perfect book if YOUR looking for HEA.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sherry
FiveStars
This is a sweet, romantic story that made me laugh, cry, and believe in true love all over again. I couldn't put it down.
At first, I wasn't sure how I felt. I liked Micah right away, but I didn't care at all for Daphne. However, her obnoxious BEHAVIOR set the stage for one of the most fun, heartbreaking, wonderful love stories I've read in ages. The whole thing felt a lot like some of my favorite date movies—neither a tragic, overwrought drama nor an over-the-top comedy, this had a nice blend of emotions, action, and humor.
I absolutely fell in love with Angel right along with Micah. Even though being an escort wasn't his dream in life, he was not ashamed of who he was. I liked the dynamic with Micah, too. He was worried his family would think less of him, but he himself was also never ashamed of Angel. No wonder, because even though we never see inside Angel's head, I think he's one of the most complex and interesting characters I've read in a long time. Plus, I always love when bisexual men are well-represented, and Ms. Fierro does an excellent JOB.
The only negative thing I have to say is that I think it was a chapter too long. There was nothing in the last chapter that really added to the story, and it kind of cheapened the resolution of Micah and Angel's relationship for me.
Other than that, this was fantastic. Anyone who needs a dose of optimism is sure to feel all warm and fuzzy inside after reading.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
5 stars
Amy
This was a beautiful story. Micah takes a chance on a escort service to fulfill his fantasy of feeling loved. You would think that you would wonder is the escort giving you what you paid for or is it for real. This is Micah and Angel's story. A very well put together story that has you hoping for the HEA.
Micah was a lonely and scared man, but I thought that he didn't let himself go to enjoy himself. Angel had tons of secrets, but treated Micah with respect and love. The relationship that develops between the two is beautiful. I felt Aiden taught Micah so much about relationships and love, and brought out the best in him.
There was one secondary character I thought added so much to the book. Daphne, Micah's FRIEND, she was loud, bubbly and very nosey. She was always there for Micah.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is a perfect book if YOUR looking for HEA.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sherry
FiveStars
This is a sweet, romantic story that made me laugh, cry, and believe in true love all over again. I couldn't put it down.
At first, I wasn't sure how I felt. I liked Micah right away, but I didn't care at all for Daphne. However, her obnoxious BEHAVIOR set the stage for one of the most fun, heartbreaking, wonderful love stories I've read in ages. The whole thing felt a lot like some of my favorite date movies—neither a tragic, overwrought drama nor an over-the-top comedy, this had a nice blend of emotions, action, and humor.
I absolutely fell in love with Angel right along with Micah. Even though being an escort wasn't his dream in life, he was not ashamed of who he was. I liked the dynamic with Micah, too. He was worried his family would think less of him, but he himself was also never ashamed of Angel. No wonder, because even though we never see inside Angel's head, I think he's one of the most complex and interesting characters I've read in a long time. Plus, I always love when bisexual men are well-represented, and Ms. Fierro does an excellent JOB.
The only negative thing I have to say is that I think it was a chapter too long. There was nothing in the last chapter that really added to the story, and it kind of cheapened the resolution of Micah and Angel's relationship for me.
Other than that, this was fantastic. Anyone who needs a dose of optimism is sure to feel all warm and fuzzy inside after reading.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
5 stars
Amy
August 1, 2020
Real love is better than any fantasy
(Minor spoilers) Micha doesn't quite know what he's asking for when he first contacts Aiden (Angel) but he's desperate for emotional intimacy. Aiden's been doing the illusion of love alongside his body for so long he barely knows what a vulnerable, authentic connection looks like anymore. I'm a sucker for any story where real feelings catch people unaware because they're so safe in the delusion that nothing serious is going to happen that they forget to hide who they really are, or how important they've made it to keep others at a distance. I was thrilled with the early chapters of Love Starved; I couldn't put it down. It was slightly off putting when Micha didn't want to tell his parents who Aiden (Angel) really was to him at first; I felt life he was ashamed of what he'd done and who Adien was. I would have liked to see more of Adien and Micha's inner thoughts and emotional debates as they navigate their relationship. It was awesome seeing Micha so sure of his feelings, and his commitment to being Aiden's friend even if it hurt. I thoroughly enjoyed both Micha's protective steak and his respect for Aiden's autonomy. I feel like the story could have ended after they commit to their happy ending with a shorter final chapter and/ or epilogue. The last few pages felt like the perfect ending for them, and I very much enjoyed watching their story unfold.
(Minor spoilers) Micha doesn't quite know what he's asking for when he first contacts Aiden (Angel) but he's desperate for emotional intimacy. Aiden's been doing the illusion of love alongside his body for so long he barely knows what a vulnerable, authentic connection looks like anymore. I'm a sucker for any story where real feelings catch people unaware because they're so safe in the delusion that nothing serious is going to happen that they forget to hide who they really are, or how important they've made it to keep others at a distance. I was thrilled with the early chapters of Love Starved; I couldn't put it down. It was slightly off putting when Micha didn't want to tell his parents who Aiden (Angel) really was to him at first; I felt life he was ashamed of what he'd done and who Adien was. I would have liked to see more of Adien and Micha's inner thoughts and emotional debates as they navigate their relationship. It was awesome seeing Micha so sure of his feelings, and his commitment to being Aiden's friend even if it hurt. I thoroughly enjoyed both Micha's protective steak and his respect for Aiden's autonomy. I feel like the story could have ended after they commit to their happy ending with a shorter final chapter and/ or epilogue. The last few pages felt like the perfect ending for them, and I very much enjoyed watching their story unfold.
May 1, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
This book. Oh man this book is wonderful. Micah’s thoughts about how his first “date” would go are so typical of first dates in general, but also how I’d expect someone paying for a date to act. The reality of the date was so much better and it blew all of Micah’s, and my, expectations away. Angel absolutely broke my heart. He kept thinking he wasn’t deserving of Micah’s friendship or love, or that he wasn’t what Micah needed or wanted. The relationship between Micah and Angel was absolutely beautiful. They started out as client/escort, but they quickly became friends as they both overcame problems and saved each other. Angel was so bubbly and happy, there’s no way Micah couldn’t help but love him. I loved that the story kept going after Angel and Micah overcame the issues they faced and were finally able to be together. It showed more of their happy ending than most stories would. I would have liked just a little bit more to see Angel and Micah happy long term. Maybe moved in together? Or when they tell Daphne they’re ready for her to create their fairytale wedding? Despite not having that, this story was amazing and so full of emotion. Definitely a book you need to read.
Four and a half stars!
This book. Oh man this book is wonderful. Micah’s thoughts about how his first “date” would go are so typical of first dates in general, but also how I’d expect someone paying for a date to act. The reality of the date was so much better and it blew all of Micah’s, and my, expectations away. Angel absolutely broke my heart. He kept thinking he wasn’t deserving of Micah’s friendship or love, or that he wasn’t what Micah needed or wanted. The relationship between Micah and Angel was absolutely beautiful. They started out as client/escort, but they quickly became friends as they both overcame problems and saved each other. Angel was so bubbly and happy, there’s no way Micah couldn’t help but love him. I loved that the story kept going after Angel and Micah overcame the issues they faced and were finally able to be together. It showed more of their happy ending than most stories would. I would have liked just a little bit more to see Angel and Micah happy long term. Maybe moved in together? Or when they tell Daphne they’re ready for her to create their fairytale wedding? Despite not having that, this story was amazing and so full of emotion. Definitely a book you need to read.
July 1, 2015
Reviewed by Kimmers for QUEERcentric Book
4.3 Stars
Love Starved by Kate Fierro ReviewWhat a debut by Kate Fierro! Love Starved is a touching, heart-warming, feel good romance.
I have to admit, I began this review in my normal fashion, summarizing scenes and emotions... but I quickly realized I could not review Love Starved in this way or I would give too much of the developing story away.
Rather than potentially spoiling this great book for you, I will instead highlight why you should give Love Starved a chance:
KATE FIERRO LEADS YOU ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF EMOTION
The synopsis of this book leaves so much out, but in an oh-so-sweet way. Kate Fierro leads you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and at every corner she has you waiting with baited breath to see what happens next. This story is a reminder that love can occur in the most unlikely circumstances, especially when you least expect it.
YOU DON’T FIND TOO MANY LOVE STORIES LIKE THIS IN THE M/M GENRE
You don’t find too many love stories like this in the M/M genre. Love Starved focuses on a “true” relationship (born of friendship) and is not all about the sex. Although I wouldn’t have been disappointed with a few more sex scenes!
Continue reading the review at QUEERcentric Books
4.3 Stars
Love Starved by Kate Fierro ReviewWhat a debut by Kate Fierro! Love Starved is a touching, heart-warming, feel good romance.
I have to admit, I began this review in my normal fashion, summarizing scenes and emotions... but I quickly realized I could not review Love Starved in this way or I would give too much of the developing story away.
Rather than potentially spoiling this great book for you, I will instead highlight why you should give Love Starved a chance:
KATE FIERRO LEADS YOU ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF EMOTION
The synopsis of this book leaves so much out, but in an oh-so-sweet way. Kate Fierro leads you on a roller coaster ride of emotion and at every corner she has you waiting with baited breath to see what happens next. This story is a reminder that love can occur in the most unlikely circumstances, especially when you least expect it.
YOU DON’T FIND TOO MANY LOVE STORIES LIKE THIS IN THE M/M GENRE
You don’t find too many love stories like this in the M/M genre. Love Starved focuses on a “true” relationship (born of friendship) and is not all about the sex. Although I wouldn’t have been disappointed with a few more sex scenes!
Continue reading the review at QUEERcentric Books
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