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The Senator's Secret
Politics, puppy dogs, and passion, oh my!
When his Republican opponent outs him with a photo in a Facebook post, Senator Samuel Dalton doesn’t have many options open to him. It doesn’t matter that the photo is totally innocent. He has no choice but to come clean… until his staff suggest putting a spin on it that leaves Sam reeling.
Sure, he’ll end up with a lot of sympathy, not to mention the possibility of more voters from the LGBT community, but it still seems a pretty drastic solution.
Now all they have to do is persuade Gary, the other man in the photo, to play along. It sounds so convince the constituents of North Carolina that he and Sam are engaged.
No big deal, except for the fact that they’ve only just met….
When his Republican opponent outs him with a photo in a Facebook post, Senator Samuel Dalton doesn’t have many options open to him. It doesn’t matter that the photo is totally innocent. He has no choice but to come clean… until his staff suggest putting a spin on it that leaves Sam reeling.
Sure, he’ll end up with a lot of sympathy, not to mention the possibility of more voters from the LGBT community, but it still seems a pretty drastic solution.
Now all they have to do is persuade Gary, the other man in the photo, to play along. It sounds so convince the constituents of North Carolina that he and Sam are engaged.
No big deal, except for the fact that they’ve only just met….
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
19 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
K.C. Wells
172 books1,857 followersK.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.
If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT
You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:
E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: https://www.kcwellswrites.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-w...
And for those who like things a little hotter?
There's KC's alter ego, Tantalus, who writes gay erotica.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.
If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT
You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:
E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: https://www.kcwellswrites.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-w...
And for those who like things a little hotter?
There's KC's alter ego, Tantalus, who writes gay erotica.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
August 16, 2016
This books is sweet, gooey, and totes feel good. I'm not a fan of the Dreamspun Desires series, but I am a huge fan of K.C. Wells, so I had to give this one a try. And I'm very glad I did.
Sam is a state senator with aspirations to become a member of the U.S. Senate. He's kind, truly listens to people, and is generally a good guy. He's also a virgin: a closeted virgin. Sam's put romance (and sex) on the backburner. He doesn't want men crawling out of the woodwork to tell dirty stories about him once he makes it big.
All of the careful planning is nearly ruined when Sam is "outed" by a perfectly innocent picture of him hugging a campaign volunteer. Said volunteer is Gary, a graduate student who's drowning in student loans.
Gary likes Sam and believes in Sam's politics. He thinks Sam is charming and cute. And he hates the idea of being in debt. So he agrees to pose as Sam's fiancé in exchange for having his loans paid off.
What follows is a light, romantic comedy of sorts. Cue Bruno Mars' Marry Me.
Gary and Sam grow close as friends, and eventually as something more. Sam has a great team of people who'd do anything to see him succeed, and they outsmart the evil preacher who wants to ruin Sam's reputation and chance at re-election.
The whole thing is a lot of fun, if not entirely realistic. In general, state senators just aren't a big deal; my state has 29 senators, and I can't name one. But Sam and Gary are the It Couple. They have to hold a conference to announce their relationship, and again to assure people that they are the Real Deal.
Thumbs up to the author for including some hot lovin' and a very (VERY!) nice HEA.
I'm a fan of the Fake Boyfriend trope, and it was done very well here. This book is a perfect beach read (no angst and lots of happy!).
Sam is a state senator with aspirations to become a member of the U.S. Senate. He's kind, truly listens to people, and is generally a good guy. He's also a virgin: a closeted virgin. Sam's put romance (and sex) on the backburner. He doesn't want men crawling out of the woodwork to tell dirty stories about him once he makes it big.
All of the careful planning is nearly ruined when Sam is "outed" by a perfectly innocent picture of him hugging a campaign volunteer. Said volunteer is Gary, a graduate student who's drowning in student loans.
Gary likes Sam and believes in Sam's politics. He thinks Sam is charming and cute. And he hates the idea of being in debt. So he agrees to pose as Sam's fiancé in exchange for having his loans paid off.
What follows is a light, romantic comedy of sorts. Cue Bruno Mars' Marry Me.
Gary and Sam grow close as friends, and eventually as something more. Sam has a great team of people who'd do anything to see him succeed, and they outsmart the evil preacher who wants to ruin Sam's reputation and chance at re-election.
The whole thing is a lot of fun, if not entirely realistic. In general, state senators just aren't a big deal; my state has 29 senators, and I can't name one. But Sam and Gary are the It Couple. They have to hold a conference to announce their relationship, and again to assure people that they are the Real Deal.
Thumbs up to the author for including some hot lovin' and a very (VERY!) nice HEA.
I'm a fan of the Fake Boyfriend trope, and it was done very well here. This book is a perfect beach read (no angst and lots of happy!).
September 2, 2016
3.5 stars
Maybe I psyched myself up a little too much for this one? I kinda, sorta liked this. I definitely didn't DISLIKE it, but I'm on the fence. It really stepped over my "cheesy" line and I wasn't able to suspend disbelief enough to love it.
Nutshell: On the fence. No hot sex, cheesy-ish situations, a typical arranged-marriage plot, but better than most.
My flag is at half staff.
Maybe I psyched myself up a little too much for this one? I kinda, sorta liked this. I definitely didn't DISLIKE it, but I'm on the fence. It really stepped over my "cheesy" line and I wasn't able to suspend disbelief enough to love it.
Nutshell: On the fence. No hot sex, cheesy-ish situations, a typical arranged-marriage plot, but better than most.
My flag is at half staff.
June 8, 2021
ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh - the cutest fake boyfriends novel I've ever read.
I did wonder how K.C. Wells was going to keep it clean in a Dreamspun Desires novel, and Wells fans will not be disappointed! The senator gets his first time lovin' and he gets it goooood.
Super low angst, really nice family scenes, and a great hopeful message all around. For a lovely afternoon read, you're not going to do any better than The Senator's Secret.
I did wonder how K.C. Wells was going to keep it clean in a Dreamspun Desires novel, and Wells fans will not be disappointed! The senator gets his first time lovin' and he gets it goooood.
Super low angst, really nice family scenes, and a great hopeful message all around. For a lovely afternoon read, you're not going to do any better than The Senator's Secret.
August 30, 2016
I'm going to be the odd man out in this review, but that's okay.
I absolutely adored this story. Sam and Gary were so good together, and KC did a great job showing they belonged with one another.
But...
Sam and Gary were not my favorite characters of the story. For me, two others rose above the Senator and his Secret.
First: Mom. Who wouldn't love someone who goes out and stocks her son's bedroom for his expected arrival with his beau?
Second, and most important, Dinky. He doesn't have any lines, he doesn't get counted as a main character. He doesn't even have that many scenes, but the ones he does have helps him to steal the show. I absolutely love Dinky. Sandra Harden (My Fiction Nook) and I were discussing the book, and we think Dinky needs a spinoff of shorts. :)
Seriously, if you need a feel good book, this one will do it for you. The ensemble is tight, the characters are wonderful, and the writing is top notch.
So, come for the writing, stay for the Dinky.
I absolutely adored this story. Sam and Gary were so good together, and KC did a great job showing they belonged with one another.
But...
Sam and Gary were not my favorite characters of the story. For me, two others rose above the Senator and his Secret.
First: Mom. Who wouldn't love someone who goes out and stocks her son's bedroom for his expected arrival with his beau?
Second, and most important, Dinky. He doesn't have any lines, he doesn't get counted as a main character. He doesn't even have that many scenes, but the ones he does have helps him to steal the show. I absolutely love Dinky. Sandra Harden (My Fiction Nook) and I were discussing the book, and we think Dinky needs a spinoff of shorts. :)
Seriously, if you need a feel good book, this one will do it for you. The ensemble is tight, the characters are wonderful, and the writing is top notch.
So, come for the writing, stay for the Dinky.
September 1, 2016
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
4.5 Stars
The stories in the Dreamspun Desires series are a chance to just sit back and enjoy some sweet, fluffy, low-angst and unapologetically tropey romances. The fake fiancé is a classic for a reason and The Senator’s Secret hits just the right notes in that regard.
Sam has devoted his life to two things, running his family hardware store and his career in politics. His interest in politics is a particular passion and Sam’s been planning for a life in public office since college. He is now serving as a North Carolina state senator with aspirations for a federal seat and he has done everything to ensure that his reputation is beyond reproach, and when I say everything I mean everything. Sam won’t risk dating or hooking up with someone and the possibility that it could come back to haunt him. He may be lonely, but so far his plan has worked. The only one who knows he’s gay is his best friend/chief of staff Curtis, and he thinks that since the SCOTUS decision on marriage equality Sam should come out.
When an innocent, congratulatory hug of a campaign volunteer is turned into nasty politics by his rival, Pastor Hartsell, Sam is unexpectedly placed on the spot. His choices are either come out and admit to his sexuality and face the fallout or acquiesce to his staff’s harebrained idea to turn the tables on the Pastor. That’s how Gary, a man he’s barely met, becomes his fiancé. How could Gary refuse when not only will his veterinary school tuition be paid, but he will get to spend time with the gorgeous Sam.
As Gary and Sam are thrust into the spotlight and become a media item, they go about trying to construct a believable past, creating photo ops and trying to hold off questions about a wedding date. Of course it’s a tangled web, especially considering Sam’s parents found out about his fiancé when the rest of the state did and there are still unbelievers out there who would like to expose their love for the sham it is, but instead of angst and drama, romantic comedy ensues. Sam and Gary bond as they try to rid themselves of photographers, volunteer at an animal shelter and try to convince the state of North Carolina that they are in love. Within a week or so they’ve done such a good job of it that they’re each starting to think that maybe they’re in love too.
Light on steam but heavy on romance, Sam and Gary make an adorable pair. Gary quickly becomes very protective of Sam and Sam falls just as fast. Gary is smart, funny and has a mischievous streak that quickly charms Sam. When the two men finally take their relationship so that next level, well this is K.C. Wells so you know it’s going to be hot and sexy!
The supporting cast is a fun group from Sam’s best friend Curtis to his Will & Grace obsessed secretary and the poor photographer picked to follow them around, but Sam’s mother takes the cake! She is very serious about her son’s love life and, after determining that Gary is good enough for her Sam, she goes above and beyond to make sure they’re comfortable in her home.
The story is sweet with an Epilogue full of hearts and flowers. It’s one of those books where you’ll sit down to read a chapter and next thing you know, you’re halfway through the book (true story!). A perfect read for when you need a smile and some good old-fashioned romance.
4.5 Stars
The stories in the Dreamspun Desires series are a chance to just sit back and enjoy some sweet, fluffy, low-angst and unapologetically tropey romances. The fake fiancé is a classic for a reason and The Senator’s Secret hits just the right notes in that regard.
Sam has devoted his life to two things, running his family hardware store and his career in politics. His interest in politics is a particular passion and Sam’s been planning for a life in public office since college. He is now serving as a North Carolina state senator with aspirations for a federal seat and he has done everything to ensure that his reputation is beyond reproach, and when I say everything I mean everything. Sam won’t risk dating or hooking up with someone and the possibility that it could come back to haunt him. He may be lonely, but so far his plan has worked. The only one who knows he’s gay is his best friend/chief of staff Curtis, and he thinks that since the SCOTUS decision on marriage equality Sam should come out.
When an innocent, congratulatory hug of a campaign volunteer is turned into nasty politics by his rival, Pastor Hartsell, Sam is unexpectedly placed on the spot. His choices are either come out and admit to his sexuality and face the fallout or acquiesce to his staff’s harebrained idea to turn the tables on the Pastor. That’s how Gary, a man he’s barely met, becomes his fiancé. How could Gary refuse when not only will his veterinary school tuition be paid, but he will get to spend time with the gorgeous Sam.
As Gary and Sam are thrust into the spotlight and become a media item, they go about trying to construct a believable past, creating photo ops and trying to hold off questions about a wedding date. Of course it’s a tangled web, especially considering Sam’s parents found out about his fiancé when the rest of the state did and there are still unbelievers out there who would like to expose their love for the sham it is, but instead of angst and drama, romantic comedy ensues. Sam and Gary bond as they try to rid themselves of photographers, volunteer at an animal shelter and try to convince the state of North Carolina that they are in love. Within a week or so they’ve done such a good job of it that they’re each starting to think that maybe they’re in love too.
Light on steam but heavy on romance, Sam and Gary make an adorable pair. Gary quickly becomes very protective of Sam and Sam falls just as fast. Gary is smart, funny and has a mischievous streak that quickly charms Sam. When the two men finally take their relationship so that next level, well this is K.C. Wells so you know it’s going to be hot and sexy!
The supporting cast is a fun group from Sam’s best friend Curtis to his Will & Grace obsessed secretary and the poor photographer picked to follow them around, but Sam’s mother takes the cake! She is very serious about her son’s love life and, after determining that Gary is good enough for her Sam, she goes above and beyond to make sure they’re comfortable in her home.
The story is sweet with an Epilogue full of hearts and flowers. It’s one of those books where you’ll sit down to read a chapter and next thing you know, you’re halfway through the book (true story!). A perfect read for when you need a smile and some good old-fashioned romance.
December 7, 2017
...I loved Sam and Gary ! This book was so much fun !...
Met outside the office when they're sneaking for a smoke Gary and Sam didn't know that one 'congratulation hug' can be their union.
Gary is only working in telemarketing division at Sam's campaign office for running a campaign as Senator, while waiting for his class to be a Vet.
But one photo on Facebook change their life forever.
This is an almost no angst cinderfella story with a Senator campaign as a background.
How many gay people is still virgin at age 33? Not much. But Sam was a virgin, because, shy, politics and all.
Outed by his rival in a campaign, finally was kind of blessing in disguise for Sam. He met Gary, someone he will never look at if they're not out for smoke that day.
I liked it how the author didn't rush the sex.
Virgin, everyone.
I didn't realized there's no sex after 70%, they're only shared kisses...and sex only happened once, at 84%. Almost feels like a clean romance, almost. But the sex is worth waiting for, it was sexy and full of love between the two MCs. I didn't mind waiting.
This is the story about finding what you truly wants in the middle of ambition, what's truly your intention in life. About family and priorities.
And there's 'Dinky'! OMG this dog...he's so cute and adorable...and why did no one wanted to adopt him before? You'll find why, and it's hilarious!
I'm a sucker of a great Epilogue, and I can say, I'm satisfied, because...Dinky !
Recommended!
*ARC was given by Publisher for a fair and unbiased review. Review made by Lilly for Lelyana's Book Blog*
Met outside the office when they're sneaking for a smoke Gary and Sam didn't know that one 'congratulation hug' can be their union.
Gary is only working in telemarketing division at Sam's campaign office for running a campaign as Senator, while waiting for his class to be a Vet.
But one photo on Facebook change their life forever.
This is an almost no angst cinderfella story with a Senator campaign as a background.
How many gay people is still virgin at age 33? Not much. But Sam was a virgin, because, shy, politics and all.
Outed by his rival in a campaign, finally was kind of blessing in disguise for Sam. He met Gary, someone he will never look at if they're not out for smoke that day.
I liked it how the author didn't rush the sex.
Virgin, everyone.
I didn't realized there's no sex after 70%, they're only shared kisses...and sex only happened once, at 84%. Almost feels like a clean romance, almost. But the sex is worth waiting for, it was sexy and full of love between the two MCs. I didn't mind waiting.
This is the story about finding what you truly wants in the middle of ambition, what's truly your intention in life. About family and priorities.
And there's 'Dinky'! OMG this dog...he's so cute and adorable...and why did no one wanted to adopt him before? You'll find why, and it's hilarious!
I'm a sucker of a great Epilogue, and I can say, I'm satisfied, because...Dinky !
Recommended!
*ARC was given by Publisher for a fair and unbiased review. Review made by Lilly for Lelyana's Book Blog*
September 22, 2016
3.25 stars
I liked the beginning, but somewhere along the way I lost interest in the characters. I even started to skim the only sex scene in the book.
I still liked the fluffiness of it all, but I had a hard time suspending disbelief.
I liked the beginning, but somewhere along the way I lost interest in the characters. I even started to skim the only sex scene in the book.
I still liked the fluffiness of it all, but I had a hard time suspending disbelief.
August 26, 2016
THIS!!! I had starry heart eyes from the beginning to the end!!! Loved it.
This is my absolute favorite of the Dreamspun Desires series. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I was smiling and enjoying Samuel and Gary. Loved their fake relationship. It was everything I could ask for. A few of the Dreamspun Desires books have left me feeling underwhelmed and I'm not to familiar with K.C. Wells work either, but this was A+.
This was a lite, low angst, sweet, sugary feel good story. I guess I read it at the right time. I loved all the characters of the story. I think Samuel and Gary were perfect for each other. Anytime anyone mentions Will & Grace, then you have a friend in me. Senator Samuel is in the middle of a primary campaign when an innocent photo of him hugging his employee is blown out of proportion.
It forces Samuel to come out the closet. Something he had no plan on doing. Gary is given an offer he can't refuse. What happens next is the sweetest story ever. I swear this book forced me to watch Love Actually. I was super enamored by these two, that I didn't want it to end at all!
I like the gradual incline of the relationship. I kinda wish we learned or some more of Gary's life. I get it Samuel was the one everything revolved about, but those little morsels that we learned about Gary forced me to think about him and see him in his setting. I would loved to see him at school, or amongst peers when Samuel shows up. I did like them getting together talking, and falling for each other. This one seemed to just happen. I think the author did a fantastic job on letting the story unfold and be magical all by itself. Super happy with this edition. I might just grab the next in the series.
September 2, 2016
4 Stars
What a sweet, fun read....really enjoyed this one!
What a sweet, fun read....really enjoyed this one!
October 23, 2016
Dreamspun Desires are contemporary category romance novels, complete with your favorite heartwarming heroes, captivating plots, and exotic settings. These titles are all about happily ever afters that leave you with a satisfied smile for days.
I love a good fake boyfriend trope story and this one starts off interestingly enough with a virgin Senator who's never had a boyfriend, or even one night stand, because he's been grooming himself for politics since college.
Add an innocent encounter with a staffer sharing good news, and a picture taken secretly and shared with commentary that makes it seem like it was an illicit encounter, and you have the beginning of a potentially humorous and passionate story.
For me though, it went off the rails pretty shortly thereafter when the first suggestion of response to the picture is for them to claim they're both gay (which no one except the Senator's chief of staff knew he really is gay) and are engaged to be married.
I mean, I'm sorry - what?
I'll be honest, the execution of the premise requires the complete suspension of disbelief, which I did at that point, but I never really fully recovered. At that point it was just John Solo's narration that kept me going. Solo captures the characters well with their individual character voices, and his pacing and tone are on point.
Even though it was sweet, and it is sweet, and was somewhat enjoyable, made more so by John Solo's narration, it wasn't great enough to make this saccharine offering in the Dreamspun Desires series hit my sweet spot.
Audio copy of The Senator's Secret provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
I love a good fake boyfriend trope story and this one starts off interestingly enough with a virgin Senator who's never had a boyfriend, or even one night stand, because he's been grooming himself for politics since college.
Add an innocent encounter with a staffer sharing good news, and a picture taken secretly and shared with commentary that makes it seem like it was an illicit encounter, and you have the beginning of a potentially humorous and passionate story.
For me though, it went off the rails pretty shortly thereafter when the first suggestion of response to the picture is for them to claim they're both gay (which no one except the Senator's chief of staff knew he really is gay) and are engaged to be married.
I mean, I'm sorry - what?
I'll be honest, the execution of the premise requires the complete suspension of disbelief, which I did at that point, but I never really fully recovered. At that point it was just John Solo's narration that kept me going. Solo captures the characters well with their individual character voices, and his pacing and tone are on point.
Even though it was sweet, and it is sweet, and was somewhat enjoyable, made more so by John Solo's narration, it wasn't great enough to make this saccharine offering in the Dreamspun Desires series hit my sweet spot.
Audio copy of The Senator's Secret provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
September 5, 2016
3.5 stars
I know that K.C. Wells have written a lot of titles already, but since I am not big fan of BDSM book and I associate her with the Collars and Cuffs series, I never pay her books any attention *shrugs*. Then Mbak Lelyana (who got the ARC for this) told me that this was good and she enjoyed it. I thought, heck, why not. Let's give it a try.
Well, for my first experience with Wells, I thought it was good. Not the best I've read but I definitely enjoyed it.
Sure, the situation that threw Sam and Gary to the fake engagement was a little too out there. It had too much of coincidence with Gary not having anyone that can contest the situation (what, no parents, no friends, nobody at all?). Gary seems to take things in stride easily. Our beloved virgin Senator (yep, he cares about politics TOO MUCH that he avoids anything resembling relationship or sexual relationship, ENTIRELY) also ended up giving his V-card a little too fast for my sake, for this stranger.
.... BUT, despite what you could see as complaints there (haha) I guess I was able to suppress my cynical self or any sense of disbelief and enjoyed the ride. It was pretty sweet of a story, and light on angst. There was a progress in relationship from being a total stranger to something more. The sex happened near the end only (which always a positive thing in my book). Plus, there was an AWESOME dog involved (*lol*).
So yep, I really liked it. I thought it definitely fit with the Dreamspun line :)
I know that K.C. Wells have written a lot of titles already, but since I am not big fan of BDSM book and I associate her with the Collars and Cuffs series, I never pay her books any attention *shrugs*. Then Mbak Lelyana (who got the ARC for this) told me that this was good and she enjoyed it. I thought, heck, why not. Let's give it a try.
Well, for my first experience with Wells, I thought it was good. Not the best I've read but I definitely enjoyed it.
Sure, the situation that threw Sam and Gary to the fake engagement was a little too out there. It had too much of coincidence with Gary not having anyone that can contest the situation (what, no parents, no friends, nobody at all?). Gary seems to take things in stride easily. Our beloved virgin Senator (yep, he cares about politics TOO MUCH that he avoids anything resembling relationship or sexual relationship, ENTIRELY) also ended up giving his V-card a little too fast for my sake, for this stranger.
.... BUT, despite what you could see as complaints there (haha) I guess I was able to suppress my cynical self or any sense of disbelief and enjoyed the ride. It was pretty sweet of a story, and light on angst. There was a progress in relationship from being a total stranger to something more. The sex happened near the end only (which always a positive thing in my book). Plus, there was an AWESOME dog involved (*lol*).
So yep, I really liked it. I thought it definitely fit with the Dreamspun line :)
May 23, 2018
Darum geht's:
Die harmlose Umarmung seines Mitarbeiters Gary wird vom politischen Gegner Senator Sam Daltons für eine Schmutzkampagne ausgenutzt. Mit seinem Wahlkampfteam überlegt sich Sam, wie man am besten darauf reagieren könnte, denn Sam ist tatsächlich schwul, hat das aber bisher nur seinem besten Freund und Stabschef Curtis anvertraut. Die erfolgversprechendste Lösung scheint zu sein, sich zu outen und Gary als seinen Verlobten vorzustellen. Und erstaunlicherweise ist Gary sogar einverstanden, bei dieser Scharade mitzumachen.
So fand ich's:
Bei so manchen Promis wird gemunkelt, dass die Schönheit an seiner Seite nur für Publicityzwecke "eingekauft" wurde und die feste Freundin nur mimt. Diesmal kommt der junge Senator Sam Dalton auf diese Idee und der Student und freiwillige Wahlhelfer Gary lässt sich darauf ein, denn er findet Sam toll und wird dafür auch noch gut bezahlt.
Und es kommt, wie es kommen muss - die beiden finden Gefallen aneinander. Gary ist ein toller Mann, sympathisch, intelligent, tierlieb und aufmerksam, der sich seine verspielte Seite bewahrt hat und Sam zu so manchem Streich anstiftet. Sam hatte immer nur seine politischen Ziele im Blick und weil er dachte, seine Homosexualität würde seinem politischen Wirken im Wege stehen, hat er sie verschwiegen und auch nie ausgelebt. Dass er viel Zeit mit Gary verbringt, lässt ihn auftauen und bringt seine Libido gehörig auf Trab.
Bis auf ein paar Bösartigkeiten des konservativen Gegenkandidaten Sams gibt es keine Dramen. Dieses Buch ist fröhlich, verspielt, zärtlich und süß und macht einfach total gute Laune. Es ist leicht und locker, aber nicht zu oberflächlich, und hat für mich perfekt den Begriff "Wohlfühl-Buch" umgesetzt.
Eine sehr warmherzige Leseempfehlung von mir!
Die harmlose Umarmung seines Mitarbeiters Gary wird vom politischen Gegner Senator Sam Daltons für eine Schmutzkampagne ausgenutzt. Mit seinem Wahlkampfteam überlegt sich Sam, wie man am besten darauf reagieren könnte, denn Sam ist tatsächlich schwul, hat das aber bisher nur seinem besten Freund und Stabschef Curtis anvertraut. Die erfolgversprechendste Lösung scheint zu sein, sich zu outen und Gary als seinen Verlobten vorzustellen. Und erstaunlicherweise ist Gary sogar einverstanden, bei dieser Scharade mitzumachen.
So fand ich's:
Bei so manchen Promis wird gemunkelt, dass die Schönheit an seiner Seite nur für Publicityzwecke "eingekauft" wurde und die feste Freundin nur mimt. Diesmal kommt der junge Senator Sam Dalton auf diese Idee und der Student und freiwillige Wahlhelfer Gary lässt sich darauf ein, denn er findet Sam toll und wird dafür auch noch gut bezahlt.
Und es kommt, wie es kommen muss - die beiden finden Gefallen aneinander. Gary ist ein toller Mann, sympathisch, intelligent, tierlieb und aufmerksam, der sich seine verspielte Seite bewahrt hat und Sam zu so manchem Streich anstiftet. Sam hatte immer nur seine politischen Ziele im Blick und weil er dachte, seine Homosexualität würde seinem politischen Wirken im Wege stehen, hat er sie verschwiegen und auch nie ausgelebt. Dass er viel Zeit mit Gary verbringt, lässt ihn auftauen und bringt seine Libido gehörig auf Trab.
Bis auf ein paar Bösartigkeiten des konservativen Gegenkandidaten Sams gibt es keine Dramen. Dieses Buch ist fröhlich, verspielt, zärtlich und süß und macht einfach total gute Laune. Es ist leicht und locker, aber nicht zu oberflächlich, und hat für mich perfekt den Begriff "Wohlfühl-Buch" umgesetzt.
Eine sehr warmherzige Leseempfehlung von mir!
May 16, 2018
Der 16. Teil der Beloved-Serie erinnert mich an ein modernes Märchen.
Zur Handlung. Samuel Dalton steckt mitten im Wahlkampf, als er nur kurz auf der Terrasse eine Zigarette rauchen will. Zufällig hatte Student und Teilzeitmitarbeiter Gary die gleiche Idee. Die beiden kommen ins Gespräch, aber unglücklicherweise werden sie dabei fotografiert, ausgerechnet als die beiden sich umarmen. Denn Gary wurde an der Universität angenommen und Samuel gratuliert ihm dazu. Der republikanische Gegenkandidat nutzt die Gelegenheit schamlos aus, um Samuel mit dem kompromittierenden Foto zu outen und dadurch Wähler abzuwerben. Doch statt in Panik zu verfallen, nutzt Samuels Wahlkampfteam die Gelegenheit, um sich die Unterstützung der LGBT+-Community zu sichern. Das Ganze hat nur einen Haken, Gary und Samuel haben sich erst einmal gesehen und sollen nun als verlobtes Paar auftreten. Damit sind Fettnäpfchen eigentlich schon vorprogrammiert. Doch was als Fake beginnt, wird schnell zu einer realen Lovestory.
Die Story hat mir gefallen, nicht nur das Paar Gary und Samuel, auch die Nebencharaktere waren sympathisch und es gab immer wieder witzige Szenen. Besonders amüsiert habe ich mich, als Gary dem zu aufdringlichen Fotografen die Luft aus den Reifen gelassen hat, um endlich ein wenig Privatsphäre mit Samuel zu haben. Es gibt etliche romantische Szenen, Probleme verschwinden ein wenig zu schnell und wie aus Zauberhand. Da die Handlung nur über wenige Tage geht war das Ende zwar schön, aber meiner Meinung nach doch ein bisschen unglaubwürdig.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
Zur Handlung. Samuel Dalton steckt mitten im Wahlkampf, als er nur kurz auf der Terrasse eine Zigarette rauchen will. Zufällig hatte Student und Teilzeitmitarbeiter Gary die gleiche Idee. Die beiden kommen ins Gespräch, aber unglücklicherweise werden sie dabei fotografiert, ausgerechnet als die beiden sich umarmen. Denn Gary wurde an der Universität angenommen und Samuel gratuliert ihm dazu. Der republikanische Gegenkandidat nutzt die Gelegenheit schamlos aus, um Samuel mit dem kompromittierenden Foto zu outen und dadurch Wähler abzuwerben. Doch statt in Panik zu verfallen, nutzt Samuels Wahlkampfteam die Gelegenheit, um sich die Unterstützung der LGBT+-Community zu sichern. Das Ganze hat nur einen Haken, Gary und Samuel haben sich erst einmal gesehen und sollen nun als verlobtes Paar auftreten. Damit sind Fettnäpfchen eigentlich schon vorprogrammiert. Doch was als Fake beginnt, wird schnell zu einer realen Lovestory.
Die Story hat mir gefallen, nicht nur das Paar Gary und Samuel, auch die Nebencharaktere waren sympathisch und es gab immer wieder witzige Szenen. Besonders amüsiert habe ich mich, als Gary dem zu aufdringlichen Fotografen die Luft aus den Reifen gelassen hat, um endlich ein wenig Privatsphäre mit Samuel zu haben. Es gibt etliche romantische Szenen, Probleme verschwinden ein wenig zu schnell und wie aus Zauberhand. Da die Handlung nur über wenige Tage geht war das Ende zwar schön, aber meiner Meinung nach doch ein bisschen unglaubwürdig.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
November 10, 2016
3.5 stars
Like most Dreamspun Desires books, this was kinda sweet but also kinda cheesy! What I really didn't like was seeing a politician like Sam enter into such a big lie so quickly ... especially since there really didn't seem to be much reason for it! Okay, I understand the trope wouldn't work without this, but still ...
Like most Dreamspun Desires books, this was kinda sweet but also kinda cheesy! What I really didn't like was seeing a politician like Sam enter into such a big lie so quickly ... especially since there really didn't seem to be much reason for it! Okay, I understand the trope wouldn't work without this, but still ...
September 1, 2016
The Senator’s Secret was a pure delight to read. Cute is not a strong enough word for this wonderful, angst-free, funny and touching tale—but cute it is.
This book is, of course, part of Dreamspinner Press’ Dreamspun Desires Series and as such almost an ‘old fashioned’ romance. The story, set-up, and characters are somewhat over the top, but all the more adorable for it. Sam, our State Senator, is a thirty-three year old closeted virgin, who’s never even been kissed and while that may not be the most realistic of scenarios it does make for an utterly charming and heart-melting storyline. Gary on the other hand is out and proud, even if he doesn’t broadcast the fact, and does have some experience under his belt, but he’s no partner hopper. Where Sam’s an almost too good to be true honest and principled politician, Gary is a straightforward but by no means boring good guy. Together they are—yes, I’m going to use the word again—as cute as pie. And the way their relationship evolves from not really knowing each other at all, to friends, to lovers was a pure delight to read.
K.C. Wells always delivers when it comes to her secondary characters too, and The Senator’s Secret is no exception to this rule. From Brenda, Sam’s self-confessed ‘fag-hag’ secretary with a Will & Grace obsession, to Sam’s condom and cherry-flavoured lube buying mother, the supporting cast brought a strong and often funny backbone to the story. The same can be said about Sam’s political opponent Hartsell. In fact, he is a character we can all recognise because unfortunately there are way too many people like him in the media day after day. Of course the fact that we can recognise and despise him makes it all the more satisfying when Sam and his team manage to out-think him time and again. But, the star role when it comes to secondary characters has to be reserved for Dinky; all 200 pound of him. And if there is an award for cutest dog in book I hereby nominate this Newfoundlander for the honour.
Above I called this an ‘almost old-fashioned romance’, but this wouldn’t be a K.C. Wells book if we weren’t treated to one or two hot scenes. The fact that these scenes also describe Sam’s introduction to the joys of sex makes them all the more enticing and beautiful.
Long story short. This is a wonderful, touching, funny, sweet, angst-free and above all cute romance that will leave feeling good and with a huge smile on your face.
This book is, of course, part of Dreamspinner Press’ Dreamspun Desires Series and as such almost an ‘old fashioned’ romance. The story, set-up, and characters are somewhat over the top, but all the more adorable for it. Sam, our State Senator, is a thirty-three year old closeted virgin, who’s never even been kissed and while that may not be the most realistic of scenarios it does make for an utterly charming and heart-melting storyline. Gary on the other hand is out and proud, even if he doesn’t broadcast the fact, and does have some experience under his belt, but he’s no partner hopper. Where Sam’s an almost too good to be true honest and principled politician, Gary is a straightforward but by no means boring good guy. Together they are—yes, I’m going to use the word again—as cute as pie. And the way their relationship evolves from not really knowing each other at all, to friends, to lovers was a pure delight to read.
K.C. Wells always delivers when it comes to her secondary characters too, and The Senator’s Secret is no exception to this rule. From Brenda, Sam’s self-confessed ‘fag-hag’ secretary with a Will & Grace obsession, to Sam’s condom and cherry-flavoured lube buying mother, the supporting cast brought a strong and often funny backbone to the story. The same can be said about Sam’s political opponent Hartsell. In fact, he is a character we can all recognise because unfortunately there are way too many people like him in the media day after day. Of course the fact that we can recognise and despise him makes it all the more satisfying when Sam and his team manage to out-think him time and again. But, the star role when it comes to secondary characters has to be reserved for Dinky; all 200 pound of him. And if there is an award for cutest dog in book I hereby nominate this Newfoundlander for the honour.
Above I called this an ‘almost old-fashioned romance’, but this wouldn’t be a K.C. Wells book if we weren’t treated to one or two hot scenes. The fact that these scenes also describe Sam’s introduction to the joys of sex makes them all the more enticing and beautiful.
Long story short. This is a wonderful, touching, funny, sweet, angst-free and above all cute romance that will leave feeling good and with a huge smile on your face.
August 7, 2016
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. I am giving this the full five stars because I loved reading it.
If you want an angsty, life- like, thought provoking novel that will shatter your heart and soul into a million pieces go elsewhere. But if you want something sweet to put a smile on your face while you curl up & hide away from real life then pull up a chair because this book is the equivalent of a slice of triple chocolate cake when your sweet tooth craving has hit nuclear level.
This story is unapologetic trope with an honest, if closeted senator, who is under attack over a completely innocent photo. I liked the MC's and their chemistry from the first page they were together so I only grinned as circumstances helped push them and a certain furball together. I laughed as they schemed to steal a little privacy to get to know each other. And I whooped with glee every time they turned an attack into a victory.
Realistic? Nope... Not in the least... Fun and light-hearted?... You betcha!
If you want an angsty, life- like, thought provoking novel that will shatter your heart and soul into a million pieces go elsewhere. But if you want something sweet to put a smile on your face while you curl up & hide away from real life then pull up a chair because this book is the equivalent of a slice of triple chocolate cake when your sweet tooth craving has hit nuclear level.
This story is unapologetic trope with an honest, if closeted senator, who is under attack over a completely innocent photo. I liked the MC's and their chemistry from the first page they were together so I only grinned as circumstances helped push them and a certain furball together. I laughed as they schemed to steal a little privacy to get to know each other. And I whooped with glee every time they turned an attack into a victory.
Realistic? Nope... Not in the least... Fun and light-hearted?... You betcha!
December 28, 2017
Books without any angst or drama are usually rather boring. It was a very pleasant surprise, to find that this definitely was an exception of the rule. Both main characters were interesting and likeable and had chemistry together. Very often the "fake boyfriend" plot leads to a lot of misunderstandings and miscommunication between the protagonists. Fortunately this was not the case here. For me the "everyday drama" that took place here was absolutely sufficient, I didn't need any more of it and I didn't mind that the transformation from fake to real boyfriends went quite smoothly, even if this might seem a little boring for some readers. For me it was perfectly entertaining and enjoyable, probably even a bonus. If you want the big feelings with big emotions, laughing and crying and ups and downs, this probably isn't it. However, if you are in the mood for a lite and entertaining read, I would definitely recommend it. 3.5 solid starts for me.
September 12, 2017
I love this romance trope. It's one of my favorites. I loved how they met. It was just a sweet story of the two of them getting to know each other. I didn't want it to end, I loved them together.
August 10, 2018
I think a friend described this as romantic, funny and sweet. I believe this describes it perfectly.
Although the premise was a bit unbelievable, the rest of it was a fluffy, feel good story with zero angst and all the heart.
I whole recommend if you are in the mood for a book “palate cleanser” after a heavy hitting emotional / angsty AF book.
+++Review Copy Graciously Provided By Publisher In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review +++
Although the premise was a bit unbelievable, the rest of it was a fluffy, feel good story with zero angst and all the heart.
I whole recommend if you are in the mood for a book “palate cleanser” after a heavy hitting emotional / angsty AF book.
+++Review Copy Graciously Provided By Publisher In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review +++
October 14, 2016
**Grammar**
I must say that I'm a huge fan of the fake/pretend relationship trope, and this book was really sweet. Both the MCs were cute and kind and the story,also if short and with a simple plot, was interesting.
Sam is 33, a senator and a virgin. For all his adult life he focused on his political career and was so scared of a scandal that he never dated or had a lover. The only thing he wants is to be reelected and continue helping his citizens. He is doing an awesome job, he really cares about his people and never lies. He wants to come out but at the same time he knows that his opponents will use his private life to put him in a bad light. He is right.
Is a day like any other and he is smoking a cigarette and talking with one of the man working for him,when the guy,Gary, tells him that he was accepted into veterinary school and Sam is really happy for him, so they hug. There is nothing sexual or behind this gesture, but Sam's opponent uses the photos he takes to destroy him, telling their people that the senator is gay, that he lied all his life and he cant be their representative. The people working for Sam, have an idea, he needs to fake to be engaged with Gary and make the world believe that the one at fault was Sam's opponent, the one that tried to dirty something beautiful.
Gary is 25/26 and full of debts, his parents died when he was 13 and he is used of being alone. He works for the senator, bcs he believes that he is a good man, who is really trying to do something for his people. He never really had any contact with his boss, at least not until that famous day when they both eneded up smoking together. He likes the man, he really seems a good guy and he doesnt deserve what his opponent is doing. Put the fact that they will pay him his vet school and help him with his other debts, and the fact that he likes the senator, and the only thing he can do is say yes to their offer to fake a relationship and maybe a marriage with him.
Sam,at start, doesnt want to lie, but in the end he understands that if he wants to win he needs to do it. But there is something that he doesnt agree on, he will never marry for convenience, if he will get married one day, will be bcs he is in love.
The contract is ready, now they only need to be credible.
Sam and Gary start to pass a lot of time together and they talk about their families, their past and what they want from their future. They need to learn all they can about the other's life.
Days pass, their photos are everywhere, people are talking about them and following their lives. The few moments they are able to spend alone, are changing their relationship, but they still cant understand that they are falling in love.
Gary cant believe that Sam is still a virgin, the man is handsome in and out and he understands one thing, he wants to keep Sam for real.
Sam really cares for Gary, ha can be himself with the other man, and he doesnt judge him and his choices, he is sweet and kind and Sam is starting to wish that this relationship was real.
During the 2 weeks that they are together Gary meets Sam's parents, and I must say that I loved them, they didnt know their son was gay, and they found out about it from the press, but when they meet him and they talk, they say to Sam, that they care only about the fact that he thought he couldnt talk with them, bcs maybe he thought that they would be angry or ashamed, but he was wrong, they will always love and support him.
Sam's mother was funny, and I really could feel Sam's embarrassment when his mother told him she bought condoms and lube for him... holy sheep XDDD ..... poor guy.
When Gary and Sam finally kiss, and this is the senator's first kiss,they do it bcs they are alone and not bcs they need to make a show for the press. That scene was sweet.
The first time they make love, is bcs they ARE in love. Gary is patient and guides Sam in the first steps. When the senator is finally inside him, Gary lets him do how Sam feels and just enjoys the ride. Sam is happy to have waited to have his first time with the man he loves and that loves him back.
Gary had had other relationships before Sam, all knew he was gay since he was in high-school, but making love with Sam is something different, something powerful.
In this book there was little angst, only 2 times,really. The photo and then the article where Sam's opponent tells the world that he is sure Sam's engagment is a fraud.
Sadly for him, he is wrong. Sam and Gary are now really engaged and want to marry and this takes by surprise also Sam's staff, the one that had had the idea of the fake relationship.
Sam asks Gary to marry him, infront of his Staff, something that he had already wanted to do on S.Valentine's day but that after that article doesnt want to postpone anymore.
In the epilogue we understand that Sam won the elections and now he and Gary are getting married. His a big day for both of them, and there is a surprise. The president of the USA is at their wedding.
The book was sweet and I liked both the MCs, they were credible and I was happy to see them marry not for the contract but for love. The fact that they adopt Dinky, a dog who was abandoned by his previous owners and was living in a kennel where Gary worked as a volunteer, was a huge bonus.
Cute story about first times and a forever love.
I must say that I'm a huge fan of the fake/pretend relationship trope, and this book was really sweet. Both the MCs were cute and kind and the story,also if short and with a simple plot, was interesting.
Sam is 33, a senator and a virgin. For all his adult life he focused on his political career and was so scared of a scandal that he never dated or had a lover. The only thing he wants is to be reelected and continue helping his citizens. He is doing an awesome job, he really cares about his people and never lies. He wants to come out but at the same time he knows that his opponents will use his private life to put him in a bad light. He is right.
Is a day like any other and he is smoking a cigarette and talking with one of the man working for him,when the guy,Gary, tells him that he was accepted into veterinary school and Sam is really happy for him, so they hug. There is nothing sexual or behind this gesture, but Sam's opponent uses the photos he takes to destroy him, telling their people that the senator is gay, that he lied all his life and he cant be their representative. The people working for Sam, have an idea, he needs to fake to be engaged with Gary and make the world believe that the one at fault was Sam's opponent, the one that tried to dirty something beautiful.
Gary is 25/26 and full of debts, his parents died when he was 13 and he is used of being alone. He works for the senator, bcs he believes that he is a good man, who is really trying to do something for his people. He never really had any contact with his boss, at least not until that famous day when they both eneded up smoking together. He likes the man, he really seems a good guy and he doesnt deserve what his opponent is doing. Put the fact that they will pay him his vet school and help him with his other debts, and the fact that he likes the senator, and the only thing he can do is say yes to their offer to fake a relationship and maybe a marriage with him.
Sam,at start, doesnt want to lie, but in the end he understands that if he wants to win he needs to do it. But there is something that he doesnt agree on, he will never marry for convenience, if he will get married one day, will be bcs he is in love.
The contract is ready, now they only need to be credible.
Sam and Gary start to pass a lot of time together and they talk about their families, their past and what they want from their future. They need to learn all they can about the other's life.
Days pass, their photos are everywhere, people are talking about them and following their lives. The few moments they are able to spend alone, are changing their relationship, but they still cant understand that they are falling in love.
Gary cant believe that Sam is still a virgin, the man is handsome in and out and he understands one thing, he wants to keep Sam for real.
Sam really cares for Gary, ha can be himself with the other man, and he doesnt judge him and his choices, he is sweet and kind and Sam is starting to wish that this relationship was real.
During the 2 weeks that they are together Gary meets Sam's parents, and I must say that I loved them, they didnt know their son was gay, and they found out about it from the press, but when they meet him and they talk, they say to Sam, that they care only about the fact that he thought he couldnt talk with them, bcs maybe he thought that they would be angry or ashamed, but he was wrong, they will always love and support him.
Sam's mother was funny, and I really could feel Sam's embarrassment when his mother told him she bought condoms and lube for him... holy sheep XDDD ..... poor guy.
When Gary and Sam finally kiss, and this is the senator's first kiss,they do it bcs they are alone and not bcs they need to make a show for the press. That scene was sweet.
The first time they make love, is bcs they ARE in love. Gary is patient and guides Sam in the first steps. When the senator is finally inside him, Gary lets him do how Sam feels and just enjoys the ride. Sam is happy to have waited to have his first time with the man he loves and that loves him back.
Gary had had other relationships before Sam, all knew he was gay since he was in high-school, but making love with Sam is something different, something powerful.
In this book there was little angst, only 2 times,really. The photo and then the article where Sam's opponent tells the world that he is sure Sam's engagment is a fraud.
Sadly for him, he is wrong. Sam and Gary are now really engaged and want to marry and this takes by surprise also Sam's staff, the one that had had the idea of the fake relationship.
Sam asks Gary to marry him, infront of his Staff, something that he had already wanted to do on S.Valentine's day but that after that article doesnt want to postpone anymore.
In the epilogue we understand that Sam won the elections and now he and Gary are getting married. His a big day for both of them, and there is a surprise. The president of the USA is at their wedding.
The book was sweet and I liked both the MCs, they were credible and I was happy to see them marry not for the contract but for love. The fact that they adopt Dinky, a dog who was abandoned by his previous owners and was living in a kennel where Gary worked as a volunteer, was a huge bonus.
Cute story about first times and a forever love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2016
4.5 stars, rounded up because of Dinky.
Samuel Dalton, a kind, hard-working, young state Democrat Senator in NC with aspirations to the US Senate, has a problem. His Republican opponent in the upcoming election has taken an innocent moment and turned it into a sleazy allegation. On Facebook, of all places.
See, our young Senator shared a smoke and a congratulatory hug outside his election office with one of his campaign volunteers, a younger veterinary student named Gary, and a grainy photo of this hug is now being used to 'out' our young Senator and question his ability to be a good politician.
Sam is actually gay, but has never given much thought to being in a relationship, or even having a hook-up, because for most of his life, politics came first. (yes, yes, he's a virgin) He's in the closet about his sexuality, but that one Facebook post is about to blow those doors wide open.
Sam's team start the spin machine immediately, and it doesn't take long before they cook up a plan and approach Gary with a proposition - pretend to be Sam's no-longer-secret fiance for a year or so, and get his veterinary school paid for.
Gary likes Sam, and would also like to not be drowning in debt after school, so he agrees to the ruse.
I just love this particular trope, and the author did a really fantastic job exploring it in this book. There's actually very little relationship drama here. No last-minute break-ups, no prolonged separations - no, Sam and Gary embark on this adventure and begin to get closer and closer until the pretense turns into reality. (hey, you knew this would happen, right? It's a romance!)
I adored both Sam and Gary. They fit each other really well, and both went into the pretend relationship with an open mind, as well as a secret longing. There were mutual sparks from the start, and as time went by, those sparks grew into something beautiful and real.
The supporting characters were also well done. Sam's mom especially - ha, I giggled out loud when she did that thing for them. No, I won't tell you what that thing is - find out for yourself. But it was above and beyond, and while it may have caused a bit of embarrassment for Sam, I thought that it was a really sweet gesture as well, showing her support of the couple in a rather cute way.
This is by design a slow-burn romance, with Sam and Gary becoming friends first, but the UST runs high throughout, and when they finally do the deed - oh my. KC Wells sure writes some of the most fantastic sexy times.
Of course, with this being a book in the Dreamspun Desires series, there's of course a fabulous HEA.
And a dog named Dinky, who not only is part of some humorous scenes, but also - well, no... you read it for yourself.
This is possibly my favorite book in this series so far. Brilliant writing, a super sweet romance, some great comedic moments, one of my favorite tropes - I loved every minute I spent inside the pages of this book.
You will too! Highly recommended.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised return. **
***
Samuel Dalton, a kind, hard-working, young state Democrat Senator in NC with aspirations to the US Senate, has a problem. His Republican opponent in the upcoming election has taken an innocent moment and turned it into a sleazy allegation. On Facebook, of all places.
See, our young Senator shared a smoke and a congratulatory hug outside his election office with one of his campaign volunteers, a younger veterinary student named Gary, and a grainy photo of this hug is now being used to 'out' our young Senator and question his ability to be a good politician.
Sam is actually gay, but has never given much thought to being in a relationship, or even having a hook-up, because for most of his life, politics came first. (yes, yes, he's a virgin) He's in the closet about his sexuality, but that one Facebook post is about to blow those doors wide open.
Sam's team start the spin machine immediately, and it doesn't take long before they cook up a plan and approach Gary with a proposition - pretend to be Sam's no-longer-secret fiance for a year or so, and get his veterinary school paid for.
Gary likes Sam, and would also like to not be drowning in debt after school, so he agrees to the ruse.
I just love this particular trope, and the author did a really fantastic job exploring it in this book. There's actually very little relationship drama here. No last-minute break-ups, no prolonged separations - no, Sam and Gary embark on this adventure and begin to get closer and closer until the pretense turns into reality. (hey, you knew this would happen, right? It's a romance!)
I adored both Sam and Gary. They fit each other really well, and both went into the pretend relationship with an open mind, as well as a secret longing. There were mutual sparks from the start, and as time went by, those sparks grew into something beautiful and real.
The supporting characters were also well done. Sam's mom especially - ha, I giggled out loud when she did that thing for them. No, I won't tell you what that thing is - find out for yourself. But it was above and beyond, and while it may have caused a bit of embarrassment for Sam, I thought that it was a really sweet gesture as well, showing her support of the couple in a rather cute way.
This is by design a slow-burn romance, with Sam and Gary becoming friends first, but the UST runs high throughout, and when they finally do the deed - oh my. KC Wells sure writes some of the most fantastic sexy times.
Of course, with this being a book in the Dreamspun Desires series, there's of course a fabulous HEA.
And a dog named Dinky, who not only is part of some humorous scenes, but also - well, no... you read it for yourself.
This is possibly my favorite book in this series so far. Brilliant writing, a super sweet romance, some great comedic moments, one of my favorite tropes - I loved every minute I spent inside the pages of this book.
You will too! Highly recommended.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised return. **
September 1, 2016
Relationships that begin due to convenience, to hide a truth, or for political advantage are not exactly rare. They appear a lot in fiction too, for the obvious reason that they are a treasure trove of possible twists and turns. ‘The Senator’s Secret’ is a modern-day version of the “politically convenient” relationship: North Carolina State Senator Sam Dalton is caught on film hugging Gary, a male aide, in the “secrecy” of his campaign headquarter’s backyard, a bigot outs him by posting the picture on FB with a few snide remarks, and Sam faces a potential political sh*tstorm weeks before hoping to be re-elected. Quite the conundrum and a PR nightmare – until his secretary and PR manager come up with a way to spin this in a positive direction, and Sam faces being engaged to a total stranger. What a setup!
Sam is one of a very rare breed – an honest politician. He cares for his constituents, focuses on fixing issues, and has no skeletons in his closet. Yes, he is gay, but only his best friend, chief of staff Curtis, knows about it. Sam doesn’t want any distractions from his political objectives, but when he is outed due to what was a congratulatory hug for Gary being accepted into vet school, keeping his personal life out of the limelight is no longer an option.
Gary is a great guy who is focused on his studies and keeping his head above water financially since he has no family to help pay for his degree. He helps man the phones for the senator’s campaign because he respects what the man stands for, but has never spoken to him personally until their shared cigarette break at the back of the house. He is mortified to find the picture of their innocent hug all over the Internet by the next morning, and when Sam’s chief of staff approaches him with a request to see the senator, Sam thinks he is in huge trouble. The proposal shocks him, but since he is gay, not currently in a relationship, and could do with the financial support that is part of the deal, he decides to go for it.
What follows is the hugely entertaining and very cute story of a totally unplanned and unexpected real romance between Gary and Sam. Initially they put on an act, but the more they get to know each other in all these staged PR situations, the more they like each other. Real affection soon sneaks in, and together with the sneaky sense of humor they share is a sound basis for true feelings to develop. Absolutely fantastic!
If you like a strangers-to-lovers story that moves faster than you can blink, if two men who start out pretending to be engaged only to find out they are falling in love sounds like a fun idea for a novel, and if you’re looking for a light read that is as enjoyable as it is compelling, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It’s angst-free, funny, and very sweet.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Sam is one of a very rare breed – an honest politician. He cares for his constituents, focuses on fixing issues, and has no skeletons in his closet. Yes, he is gay, but only his best friend, chief of staff Curtis, knows about it. Sam doesn’t want any distractions from his political objectives, but when he is outed due to what was a congratulatory hug for Gary being accepted into vet school, keeping his personal life out of the limelight is no longer an option.
Gary is a great guy who is focused on his studies and keeping his head above water financially since he has no family to help pay for his degree. He helps man the phones for the senator’s campaign because he respects what the man stands for, but has never spoken to him personally until their shared cigarette break at the back of the house. He is mortified to find the picture of their innocent hug all over the Internet by the next morning, and when Sam’s chief of staff approaches him with a request to see the senator, Sam thinks he is in huge trouble. The proposal shocks him, but since he is gay, not currently in a relationship, and could do with the financial support that is part of the deal, he decides to go for it.
What follows is the hugely entertaining and very cute story of a totally unplanned and unexpected real romance between Gary and Sam. Initially they put on an act, but the more they get to know each other in all these staged PR situations, the more they like each other. Real affection soon sneaks in, and together with the sneaky sense of humor they share is a sound basis for true feelings to develop. Absolutely fantastic!
If you like a strangers-to-lovers story that moves faster than you can blink, if two men who start out pretending to be engaged only to find out they are falling in love sounds like a fun idea for a novel, and if you’re looking for a light read that is as enjoyable as it is compelling, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It’s angst-free, funny, and very sweet.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 3, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Author K.C. Wells most definitely excels at writing love stories and she has done it again with her Dreamspun Desires release, The Senator’s Secret. Rich in dialogue, with a thirty-three year old virgin to boot, this story has it all—a forced coming out, a love at first glance relationship, and two of the loveliest men ever to form a couple.
Here is the truth about this sweet romance: the reason it works is because both men fight against what they think is an impossible thing—love at first sight. In such a wonderful way, author K.C. Wells draws out the next two weeks after the hug heard round the world in a day by day description and gives us a front row seat that allow us to watch these two men fall for each other. Sam has never been with a man—ever—and his fears about losing his virginity and his heart are very real. Gary began this whole thing as a business proposition with the knowledge that if he could just stick it out for a couple of years, his college loans and veterinary school tuition would be paid in full. Neither one of these gentleman ever considered that they could actually fall in love with the other.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Author K.C. Wells most definitely excels at writing love stories and she has done it again with her Dreamspun Desires release, The Senator’s Secret. Rich in dialogue, with a thirty-three year old virgin to boot, this story has it all—a forced coming out, a love at first glance relationship, and two of the loveliest men ever to form a couple.
Here is the truth about this sweet romance: the reason it works is because both men fight against what they think is an impossible thing—love at first sight. In such a wonderful way, author K.C. Wells draws out the next two weeks after the hug heard round the world in a day by day description and gives us a front row seat that allow us to watch these two men fall for each other. Sam has never been with a man—ever—and his fears about losing his virginity and his heart are very real. Gary began this whole thing as a business proposition with the knowledge that if he could just stick it out for a couple of years, his college loans and veterinary school tuition would be paid in full. Neither one of these gentleman ever considered that they could actually fall in love with the other.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
September 6, 2016
This is not my favourite Dreamspinner series by any stretch of the imagination, it's too 'Mills and Boon' or Harlequin-esque for me; having said that, this story from KC was a feel good, fairly angst-free read with a fake boyfriend storyline to throw off a religious whacko and Dinky of course. 4 stars from me.
January 29, 2018
Ein netter Lesesnack für Zwischendurch, mehr ist das nicht.
Es ist alles zu glatt, zu gefällig und alle Konflikte werden (zu) schnell behoben.
Sicher ist das auch dem Format der Serie geschuldet, indem die Geschichte erschienen ist, dennoch reicht es nicht für mehr als drei Sterne. Wer eine kurze Geschichte ohne Tiefgang haben möchte, ist hier gut bedient.
Es ist alles zu glatt, zu gefällig und alle Konflikte werden (zu) schnell behoben.
Sicher ist das auch dem Format der Serie geschuldet, indem die Geschichte erschienen ist, dennoch reicht es nicht für mehr als drei Sterne. Wer eine kurze Geschichte ohne Tiefgang haben möchte, ist hier gut bedient.
September 15, 2016
Everything I’ve read up to this point by this author has been edgy, sexy and very much on the naughty side of things. The Senator’s Secret? Nothing at all like anything I’ve read by KC Wells before…but that’s not a bad thing—not a bad thing at all. Reason? I still got the excellent writing and storytelling I’ve come to expect from this author, this time with a story that’s sweet, funny and with a really great group of characters that kept me smiling quite a bit as I read it.
Samuel Dalton-our senator-is actually a genuine good guy, actually listening to his constituents and fighting for the things they want. He’s built his political career while putting aside any kind of personal life-meaning love life-and keeping himself firmly in the closet. Gary is one of his campaign workers, and after an unfortunate photo with him gives Sam’s opponent an opening to question Sam’s sexuality-in the public arena in a conservative state-things are set in motion that have Sam and Gary winding up engaged and Sam out of the closet. To be honest, the situation did feel a bit contrived and corny—but that aside, everything else about Sam and Gary’s relationship? Absolutely wonderful!
I liked how they took things slowly-at least it felt that way from the way the story is written-and how Gary was very aware of Sam’s inexperience and he kept that in mind as their relationship evolved. Things between them went from friends to sweet, and finally near the end to more…but this story is more about relationship development and Sam exploring his now openly out status with Gary than anything else. It’s nothing like I’d expect from this author, and I really, really loved it!
As for the supporting characters, my favorite by a huge margin is Sam’s mother. You only have to check Sam’s bedroom night table drawer in his parent’s house to know why (there’s my tease for this review). Sam’s best friend and chief of staff, Curtis, is also a great character and very supportive of him as well.
The Senator’s Secret left me smiling and feeling happy when I was done, and with the exception of the reasoning behind creating the engagement, everything about this story was simply delightful. 4.5 stars, and I do highly recommend this story fans of M/M romance. I’d still put this at 18+ for adult language and a bit of M/M sexual content.
Samuel Dalton-our senator-is actually a genuine good guy, actually listening to his constituents and fighting for the things they want. He’s built his political career while putting aside any kind of personal life-meaning love life-and keeping himself firmly in the closet. Gary is one of his campaign workers, and after an unfortunate photo with him gives Sam’s opponent an opening to question Sam’s sexuality-in the public arena in a conservative state-things are set in motion that have Sam and Gary winding up engaged and Sam out of the closet. To be honest, the situation did feel a bit contrived and corny—but that aside, everything else about Sam and Gary’s relationship? Absolutely wonderful!
I liked how they took things slowly-at least it felt that way from the way the story is written-and how Gary was very aware of Sam’s inexperience and he kept that in mind as their relationship evolved. Things between them went from friends to sweet, and finally near the end to more…but this story is more about relationship development and Sam exploring his now openly out status with Gary than anything else. It’s nothing like I’d expect from this author, and I really, really loved it!
As for the supporting characters, my favorite by a huge margin is Sam’s mother. You only have to check Sam’s bedroom night table drawer in his parent’s house to know why (there’s my tease for this review). Sam’s best friend and chief of staff, Curtis, is also a great character and very supportive of him as well.
The Senator’s Secret left me smiling and feeling happy when I was done, and with the exception of the reasoning behind creating the engagement, everything about this story was simply delightful. 4.5 stars, and I do highly recommend this story fans of M/M romance. I’d still put this at 18+ for adult language and a bit of M/M sexual content.
August 8, 2016
**)
.•.•*) .•*)
(.• (.•`*It was like an episode of "Married At First Sight".
One shared hug with a stranger and Senator Samuel Dalton found himself an engaged man. For six years Sam had played his cards right and had held onto his senatorial seat. Now, with elections happening, a homophobic opponent was trying to ruin his reputation and cost him the election. With Sam's inner circle, they hatch a scheme to fake his engagement to the young man Gary in exchange for debt free schooling.
From strangers to lovers.
Gary had a crush on his boss. Overnight he went from manning the phones to becoming the boss's fiance. Gary readily agreed to the scheme and was looking for ways to make it all real. There was no denying the attraction between both men. They fed well off of one another and considering the Senator had one hell of another secret, it just endeared Gary to him. (Read the book and find out. I was pleasantly surprised.)
I loved all of the secondary characters, especially Sam's mother and his Will & Grace loving secretary and of course who would not love Dinky. That scene right there was to die for!! This entire series is a flashback on my Mills & Boon days and I am certainly enjoying the twist on things. Get your fill of snark, and sass and laughter. This was a true tender-hearted love story that was bound to be.
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
.•.•*) .•*)
(.• (.•`*It was like an episode of "Married At First Sight".
One shared hug with a stranger and Senator Samuel Dalton found himself an engaged man. For six years Sam had played his cards right and had held onto his senatorial seat. Now, with elections happening, a homophobic opponent was trying to ruin his reputation and cost him the election. With Sam's inner circle, they hatch a scheme to fake his engagement to the young man Gary in exchange for debt free schooling.
From strangers to lovers.
Gary had a crush on his boss. Overnight he went from manning the phones to becoming the boss's fiance. Gary readily agreed to the scheme and was looking for ways to make it all real. There was no denying the attraction between both men. They fed well off of one another and considering the Senator had one hell of another secret, it just endeared Gary to him. (Read the book and find out. I was pleasantly surprised.)
I loved all of the secondary characters, especially Sam's mother and his Will & Grace loving secretary and of course who would not love Dinky. That scene right there was to die for!! This entire series is a flashback on my Mills & Boon days and I am certainly enjoying the twist on things. Get your fill of snark, and sass and laughter. This was a true tender-hearted love story that was bound to be.
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
September 18, 2016
I'm a huge fan of 'fake boyfriend' books so i really liked this one.
It is a very romantic and sweet story and Sam & Gary are cute together!
I love KC Wells' books ❤️
It is a very romantic and sweet story and Sam & Gary are cute together!
I love KC Wells' books ❤️
September 30, 2016
Overall rating: 3.8 Stars
Audio rating: N/a
Book Cover: 2 Stars
MC1: Samuel
MC2: Gary
This was another sweet flower and hearts book. I had so much fun with these 2 guys. A must read if you want a feel good wrap me up and love me forever kind of reads.
Audio rating: N/a
Book Cover: 2 Stars
MC1: Samuel
MC2: Gary
This was another sweet flower and hearts book. I had so much fun with these 2 guys. A must read if you want a feel good wrap me up and love me forever kind of reads.
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