Model Love

by S.J. Frost

**This is the re-released edition by MLR Press**

Ian Eldridge has lived a gray existence, his spirit chained by grief and guilt since the death of his twin brother, Aiden. He’d once been one of the most sought after models in the world of high fashion, but when he lost Aiden, he lost everything, including his confidence. On an invitation from his former agent, Ian travels to Bora Bora, hoping to leave his darkness behind, if only for a short while.

Temaru Marceau is a skilled scuba diver on the island and owns a diving shop. The moment he sees Ian, he’s captivated. He can sense Ian needs something…someone, to help him, and he wants to be that man.

In the tropical paradise and under Temaru’s gentle touch, Ian’s world begins to brighten, but will it be enough for him to forge new dreams and become a better version of the man he once was?

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, M M Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, LGBT

ebook

First published October 23, 2013

About the author

S.J. Frost resides in Ohio with her family, pets, and horses. Her short stories have been featured in several erotic and romance anthologies, and her novels are published through MLR Press. Rock stars, vampires, fantasy heroes, and more, she enjoys dabbling in many different sub-genres in gay romance, but no matter what she writes, love and passion are the driving forces in every story.

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 2 out of 5]

While not a bad story, Model Love did very little for me. If you are into hurt/comfort books with insta-lust (quickly morphing into love) with a slow-paced plot, then you might enjoy this one.

I've read hundreds of M/M romance books, so when a book fails to wow me in the first 50 pages or so, I'm usually dreading the rest. This book just didn't wow me. A model finding his passion for modeling and life again with a hunky island surfer-dude sounded like it could be a good story, but I found the relationship to be too fast-paced and cheesy for my taste and a little too "easy fix for my life problems" as well.

I think if you are looking for a little escapism and like to read about physically stunning guys (I prefer someone with some flaws), then you might be able to overlook my issues with pacing and plot. However, I'm just looking for a little more of that something special in my reading materials these days.

*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was an nice read and had likeable characters. I was a little concerned that this story would be kind of heavy and sad with dealing with the death of Ian's brother, but it really wasn't that way. This could actually be considered a nice and light love story, other than Ian's issues with his brother there is no angst or over the top drama. There is an instant attraction and lust with these two and of course they are both gorgegous and are in a wonderful tropical place. That pretty much sets the tone of the story, however there is a lot of healing that Ian needed to do and Temaru and the island was the perfect place for him to do it. This was a fast reading book which ended up enjoyable for me.

[Susan65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me cry.

I was reading along, happy as a clam, because this truly is a sweet and beautiful love story, then I got closer to the end and the waterworks started. Boo hoo hoo....I have such an ugly crying face that I was really glad I was still in bed when I got to that part.

Anyhoo, Ian is an ex-model who gave up his limelight and his wild ways after his twin brother dies. He is struggling to get by day to day, when his agent Mitch offers him a trip to Bora Bora to get a little fresh air and hopefully a fresh perspective on his life.

Tameru is a half French half Tahitian islander who makes me want to pull up anchor and sail off to the French Polynesian island myself. Damn, I wish they grew them like that here. Needless to say, the man is absolutely perfect for me...um, I mean, for Ian.

Tameru and Ian have very little angst between them, the angst is between Ian and the memory of his twin, Aidan. Tameru is instrumental is healing Ian and helping to get his life back on track... and remembering Aidan with love and joy instead of the grief that he's been keeping inside. Not gonna joke, the ending is super sweet, but pull out the hankies because the waterworks will flow.

Recommended for those looking for a light read but with real life issues, and a hot as sin sexy island guy. Seriously, Bora Bora is my next trip.

[Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Lovely little low key holiday romance that becomes something more. Ian Eldridge is a former model still reeling from the death of his twin brother. He's invited by friends to the island of Bora Bora where he meets and falls for a dive master, Temaru Marceau.

Some great sex scenes with one in particular that referred to cock docking which was something that I'd never heard of prior to this story. I have been educated. Thank you S.J. Frost. ;)

Ian's friends Mitch and Rodney were great. They had a fabulous relationship and their friendship with Ian added a nice depth to the story. A nice, sexy read that had a bit of angst and I liked how Temaru was able to help Ian deal with his grief.

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian was a top model, he had it all and he knew it. He partied and enjoyed it, then his twin dies, he feels guilty and grieves.
He gives it all up and since he didn't save for a rainy day he's a waiter.
Not everyone has given up on him and his former agent drags him to Bora Bora..
There he meets hunky and sexy Temaru and it's lust at first sight and after spending all their days and nights together it's *sigh* love.
Ian sees the light again, he starts living again, all is well...
Short, sweet, insta love and a very HEA.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, what can I say, I love this author. This is a novella, about 109 pages. This story is about Ian and Temaru. Ian was one of the top fashion models of his time with his twin brother, Aiden. Three years ago, Aiden and Ian, at the top of their peak, were involved in a horrible accident where Aiden did not survive. Ian falls into a deep depression, leaves his modeling career completely and is guilt ridden over the death of his twin. He is completely lost. His friend and previous agent, Mitch and Rodney (previous photographer and husband to Mitch) invites him to Bora Bora to try and lift his spirits and respark interest in his modeling career.

When Ian gets to Bora Bora with his scruffy appearance, he crosses paths with Temura (Tahitian/French scuba diver godlike creature). Temura invites him go scuba diving and sparks fly from there. Temura teaches Ian to look at the world through eyes of someone surviving loss. He teaches him through friendship and love how to forgive, love himself again, and to eventually love himself enough to love another, Temura. Temura supports him and helps to give strength to reexamine his life and his future.

It is a very sweet, loving story. You cannot help but lust/love all of them (except for Jared, brat newbie model). If you love Frost's work, you will not be disappointed. She does a beautiful job of describing characters, location and steamy scenes. I will read it again, because her books leave you feeling good about love and HEAs. Oh dreams, dreams.. Enjoy, not sure if it is available on Amazon, but it is available on Ellora Cave website.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A sweetly pleasant and uncomplicated read, with likeable characters who have depth and dimension to them, well-meaning friends that add some more colour to the plot and a wonderful setting. This was a good choice and antidote for me after an angst-filled book.

[Juliebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book from S.J. Frost from a new publisher from all her other stories, but still has the same great things of every Frost book! It's a win/win/win!

This was a really beautiful love story and a story about finding yourself again and learning to move on. Ian was a male model who lost his confidence and passion when his twin brother was tragically killed. He feels it was his fault, but really it's not. He's put the blame on himself. His grief and depression felt so real to me, I just wanted to hug him. Luckily he had the beautiful and soulful Temaru to do that. The two of them clicked just right. They were exactly what the other needed. And hot! Yeah this book has some steam to it with those two!

I was afraid the story would be depressing since it deals with the loss of a loved one, but it was actually very uplifting and hopeful. Deep emotions, beautiful love, fun secondary characters (LOVED Mitch and Rodney!) and even some funny moments! Ian: "You might want to think about plucking that tentacle looking nose hair before it slaps someone in the face when you breathe." Oh my God, I died when I read that! LOL! Another great read and another I'll be going back to!

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for Joyfully Jay Reviews.

Read Melanie's review in it's entirety here.

When I think of S.J. Frost, I think of her ancient vampires of her Instincts series, or her edgy rocker boys of Conquest, so I was unprepared for the gentle sweetness of Ian and Temaru of Model Love. I have to admit I was charmed by this story. Every element appealed to me, from the Bora Bora location, to the Project Runway world of models and fashion. And to give this story more depth, Frost added an element of loss and grief on both characters’ parts that gives Model Love a sense of realness that it might otherwise been lacking.

[Laurie Ather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Sometimes a nice, fluffy love story is just what I need. Model Love fit the bill for me.

Temaru and Ian fell for each other really fast and sometimes that can be a head scratcher, but given the place where each of them were in their lives, they were just what the other needed.

Simply put, I really really liked their story.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by another great author. I don't think this author has written a book yet that I didn't like. The characters were exceptional in this book and so easy to fall in love with. Ian is so wonderful and sad you just want to wrap him in your arms and never let go. And Temaru is perfect and so full of life you just want to get to know him and be friends.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story. No relationship angst in this one. Sadness, yes, but not from their relationship. Nothing earthshattering although we did get cock-docking which was pretty sweet. :)

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former model Ian hasn't been the same since the death of his twin brother. Wracked by guilt, he left the modeling world and retreated into a solitary and lonely existence. When his former agent invites him on a getaway to Bora Bora, he is wary, certain it's all a ploy to get him back into modeling. He reluctantly agrees, but makes it clear he has no intention of returning to his former profession.

Enter Temaru, a diving instructor, who finds himself immediately drawn to Ian when he sees him on the beach. But can he get past the walls that Ian has put up around himself? Can Ian let someone into the world he's created? Will he push Temaru away as he has everyone else or can Temaru be the one who helps Ian realize what's he's lost by refusing to work through his guilt?

This was a bit of a fluffy and cute story to read. There's some angst on Ian's part (obviously), but overall it's one of those sweeter romances that I think we all need to pick up from time to time. Temaru is one of my favorite characters that I've read in a romance recently and I wouldn't mind finding a Temaru of my own, to be completely honest. Definitely worth a read.

[Arch Bala · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t the characters that drowned this story into nothingness but it’s the thinly veiled plot that didn’t deliver its characters the story they deserved. I’m actually very disappointed with it especially after reading the first three books of the Conquest series. I was like, “the same author wrote this right?” – What seriously just happened?

The story simply goes like this – Ian used to be a successful model whose life turned upside down after the death of his twin brother who also happened to be a model. Encourage by his friend and former agent to take some time off from his new day job as a waiter (and from grieving going on three years now) he found himself in Bora Bora with the beautiful islander Temaru who helped him realized a lot of things which includes letting go of his grief, guilt and his heart in order to fall in love again. And sadly folks, it stopped there. They fell inlove, Ian got back on his feet and then it ends. I was like, “that’s it?” Yes, the story totally lacks development. It was a lazy novel yes but I think this was simply a fluke on the author’s part given the greatness that is the Conquest series.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian Eldridge was overhelmed with grief due to the death of his twin brother Aiden. They were famous international models, and a fun night out to a club resulted in the loss of his twin and best friend. The next three years saw Ian consumed with guilt until his agent and some friends talked him to going to Bora Bora for both a vacation and a possible photo shoot.

In Bora Bora, Ian met Temaru Marceau, a local excursion guide, and it seems like someone finally gets him. Temaru had lost his grandfather so could relate to the depths of Ian's despair. Over the course of almost 2 weeks in Bora Bora, Temaru slowly coaxes out the man hidden beneath all those layer of sorrow and heartache. The combination of island excursions, companionship and understanding from Temaru finally allowed Ian to address his pain and begin to live again.

The novel was short and sweet. It was a simply Road to Recovery kind of romance. I enjoyed it but would have liked a little more angst and drama.

[Lisa J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have a book boyfriend list, but if I did Temaru would be at the top of it.

Somehow S.J. Frost creates this perfect speciman of a man, an island god who always says the right thing, is beautiful, understanding, romantic and supportive but doesn't come across as an annoying Mary Sue character. Amazing.

"Model Love" actually deals with a serious issue -- Ian is grieving the lost of his identical twin and reluctantly goes on a trip to Bora Bora with friends where he meets the perfect Temaru who helps him deal with his loss. This was instalove that didn't feel like instalove.

Ian and Temaru talk, frolick, and get to know each other. I felt like I was on the journey with them. Temaru gently pulls Ian out of his depression and back into the world of modeling. When the vacation ended, I believed they were in love and was glad I got to spend time with these MCs.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Lovely story about Ian, a former model, who is lost in his grief for his twin brother. He gets dragged to Bora Bora by his friend and former agent to spend some time away and perhaps get a new view on life. On the island he meets Temarua a scuba diving instructor and they hit it off immediately. Ian and Temaru begin an affair that soon evolves into love and Temaru helps Ian heal.

This is an light and easy read, rather insta-love like a bit but still enjoyable and well done. Things wrap up nicely up in the end, perhaps a bit too easily though.

[readingisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love S.J.Frost's writing. She's one of my favorites in the m/m genre. And she did not disappoint with Model Love. Ian and Temaru are both interesting characters, and Frost's portrayal of the world of modeling in high fashion seemed well thought out and sensitive. I really felt for Ian and his loss. Frost has a way of making the characters she created feel almost like they are real people, to the extent that at one point I really wanted to comfort Ian myself!
Fair warning, I think my rating is a little biased because I really do love Ms. Frost's work.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was a nice, sweet novella. I do think it was a bit too...insta-love, at times between the two, but I enjoyed the writing (as I always do with this author!) and got what I wanted - a sweet, sexy story!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Bogusia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Arzu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars

[*Nan* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

S.J. Frost never disappoints. Sweet wonderful read.