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The Congressman's Whore: A Marriage of Convenience
Congressman Upton Bennett isn't looking to be anyone's slave, but there are sides to himself he's never explored. When he hears about mysterious sex worker Zane Sawyer—a man who specializes in administering discipline to his clients—Upton can't resist the urge to reach out.
Sloan McInnis—better known in key D.C. circles as Zane Sawyer—is just a Georgetown student trying to parlay his charm and linguistic skills into a career as a lobbyist. His sex work pays tuition, but it doesn't define him... At least, it doesn't until the day a reporter catches him leaving Upton Bennett's hotel room.
Outed as a whore to the Washington elite, Sloan's life isn't worth a dime. His influential Johns want him permanently hushed up, except for one. Powerful fixer Candace Bennett—Upton's mother—has an idea to save Sloan and her son's reputation with a simple lie: It wasn't prostitution; they're in love.
Soon a wedding is planned, one that will ensure Sloan's untouchable and Upton's re-electable. But what will marriage mean for two men who barely know each other? And will Sloan ever become more than a congressman's whore?
A 90k Novel, mild bdsm
Sloan McInnis—better known in key D.C. circles as Zane Sawyer—is just a Georgetown student trying to parlay his charm and linguistic skills into a career as a lobbyist. His sex work pays tuition, but it doesn't define him... At least, it doesn't until the day a reporter catches him leaving Upton Bennett's hotel room.
Outed as a whore to the Washington elite, Sloan's life isn't worth a dime. His influential Johns want him permanently hushed up, except for one. Powerful fixer Candace Bennett—Upton's mother—has an idea to save Sloan and her son's reputation with a simple lie: It wasn't prostitution; they're in love.
Soon a wedding is planned, one that will ensure Sloan's untouchable and Upton's re-electable. But what will marriage mean for two men who barely know each other? And will Sloan ever become more than a congressman's whore?
A 90k Novel, mild bdsm
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 13, 2018
27 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Clancy Nacht
56 books148 followersClancy Nacht is a bisexual genderqueer person who lives in Austin with a husband, and three feral rescue cats. Clancy has published several ARe bestselling contemporary romantic thriller m/m and m/f stories. Three of her books have been honored with Rainbow Awards; Le Jazz Hot won for #1 Best Bisexual/Transgender Romance & Erotic Romance. In 2013, Black Gold: Double Black was a runner up for a Rainbow Award and in 2015, Gemini won an Honorable Mention for Gay Erotic Romance at the Rainbow Awards. Her books have been nominated for several Goodreads M/M Readers Choice Awards.
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January 25, 2024DNF. i hate the pet name "honey" and i will simply not be able to read this whole book if every sex scene includes it, which it seems like it does from my quick search.
July 20, 2018
i think this would have been much better if it was shorter, because there was a lot of extraneous detail that wasn’t needed and just slowed everything down. the whole thing was also pretty predictable, and the denouement at the end just seemed like some Drama™ thrown in for the sake of it.
June 24, 2019
This book surprised me by developing more heart and warmth than I expected from the title or opening chapter. It begins like erotica - a young, out, gay congressman hires an escort to explore sex that he can't or doesn't dare get from a casual date. There's a lot of heat and BDSM as Upton and the rent boy Sloan find a very compatible style in bed. But when a snooping stranger follows Sloan to their meeting and outs their relationship, suddenly Upton's career is in danger. And Sloan, who has serviced more than one political figure, including some who really don't want that discovered, may be in even more danger. The answer to save both of them is to pretend this is a love match.
Once the story shifts to this plot thread, it becomes a lot more interesting. Sloan has a lot of insecurity, a family that rejected him, and a background of poverty that makes Upton's family and wealth an uncomfortable fit. Upton is worried about forcing a stranger to marry him, just to save his political career. Upton's powerful mother is intensely involved, focused on keeping his potential future in the halls of political power alive.
The two men learn more about each other as they are thrown into close proximity. I believed in their building relationship, and liked both of them as characters. There were a few areas that were off-page that I'd have liked to see. (I wished we were with Upton in some of the confrontations he briefly mentions to Sloan.) The time frame between outing and wedding felt compressed. There were also a couple of vague threats that never materialized into anything The final drama was a bit pasted on - it would have had more resonance if it was more integral to the overall drive of the story. But as a fake-to-real relationship book this was engaging and made me care about both MCs, the love story was warm, and I finished it satisfied with how it wrapped up.
Once the story shifts to this plot thread, it becomes a lot more interesting. Sloan has a lot of insecurity, a family that rejected him, and a background of poverty that makes Upton's family and wealth an uncomfortable fit. Upton is worried about forcing a stranger to marry him, just to save his political career. Upton's powerful mother is intensely involved, focused on keeping his potential future in the halls of political power alive.
The two men learn more about each other as they are thrown into close proximity. I believed in their building relationship, and liked both of them as characters. There were a few areas that were off-page that I'd have liked to see. (I wished we were with Upton in some of the confrontations he briefly mentions to Sloan.) The time frame between outing and wedding felt compressed. There were also a couple of vague threats that never materialized into anything The final drama was a bit pasted on - it would have had more resonance if it was more integral to the overall drive of the story. But as a fake-to-real relationship book this was engaging and made me care about both MCs, the love story was warm, and I finished it satisfied with how it wrapped up.
January 11, 2024
Oh, I had high hopes for this one.
I liked His Fake Prison Daddy from these two authors and decided to give another one of their books a chance. I liked this cover, so I decided to go for this one.
The premise sounded really good - a little bit of politics, a fake marriage with a sex worker and a future potential president, some hot sex, some forced proximity and wrapping all of that into a nice little package made of true love? Yes, sign me up.
But the thing is, the book was so badly written that even though I honestly liked at least one MMC and the first half of the book, I can't rate it more than 2.5⭐ and that's only because I loved Upton and I loved the smut.
The sex scenes were really good, so I definitely appreciated that.
But everything else? Pass.
🟢 Fake marriage
🔵 Forced proximity
🟡 Sex work
🟣 Politics
🟠 Bad writing
🔵 Cringe dialogues
🟢 Not a satisfying resolve to the fake marriage
🌶️ Good sex; t/b
The story was about Upton, a young Congressman from a wealthy and powerful political liberal family, a very known openly gay political figure who wants to hire Zane, a known sex worker for the powerful and the rich, who's very discreet and that's just what Upton, who's always in the spotlight, needs.
Upton is 29 years old, but has had sex for only 3 years and can't really find a satisfying outlet to do what he wants to sexually, the guys he does hook up with don't really do it for him, he's never cuddled, touched, never had a relationship, never had a chance to live out any of his kinks either, so when Sloan, a 26 year old grad student who works as Zane, comes into his life, Upton's life changes for the better. Just one sexual encounter with Zane and Upton's feeling fantastic, especially so because Zane isn't just a hot prostitute, but has a brain, he's working on his masters, he wants to be politically involved in the LGBT issues too and has been following and admiring Upton's career.
🌶️ The sex they had was amazing. I mean - amazing. Oooff, seriously they were fantastic together. Every scene prolonged, sensual, focused on pleasure and the dialogues during those scenes were working, they were good.
Things were going well and even though the writing was a bit off, a bit weird, harder to get into, it was almost difficult to read it at times, I thought it's all looking great and I can't wait for that second part of the book where Sloan and Upton were outed for meeting each other and for Upton using a sex worker - and they had to come up with a plan to prevent the ultimate disaster for both of their lives.
They got fake married.
A fake marriage to save them both and considering they really didn't hate each other and they had a good time together, they were both gay and Upton was a sweetheart who's from some serious old money, they looked close and intimate at times, so I didn't think the outcome was going to be as complicated as it turned out to be.
I was so willing to give this book a shot even though the writing sucked, to be honest. It was so hard to read this book! But what happened in the second half was a total travesty. When these guys had a perfect opportunity to come together and maybe find love, this is where all the problems started.
🟡 Upton and carbs.
Upton was a sweetheart, he could do no harm. He's a cute blonde guy who doesn't work out much, he's always at work, he's kind, submissive, amazing, but to Sloan - he's not happening.
Sloan doesn't really like Upton, Upton's not his type, he'd never pick him up in a club and he has a complete awareness of how Upton's body isn't filled with muscles.
Yes, this is actually talked about a lot in the book.
"Upton wasn't the kind of guy he'd pick up in a club. He was beautiful in his own way, for certain, but he was a politician. He was eternally photogenic, television-ready, bland and polite."
"Upton, sweet and handsome and thoroughly decent, wouldn't usually register on Sloan's radar as a prospect, even though Upton Bennett had always been on Sloan's list of men he admired. Still, he liked Upton. Zane had liked Upton, and Sloan did too. Hesitantly, cautiously, but the fact remained."
"Not that Upton was trying to be sexy; what would he realistically have to offer in that department? He wasn't hideous, and now that he took in his body from a more objective standpoint, he supposed he did have less fluff around the middle. Still, he wasn't sort of guy someone would jerk off to."
Sloan does observe Upton's ass getting tighter and his body getting leaner in time, so he's thinking "hmmm, maybe I do want him?"
So throughout the whole book there's a theme where Upton has soft thighs and isn't really Sloan's type, but when they get married and he's trying to have a real relationship with Sloan, he's working out so he finally has that six pack.
Not to mention the talk of carbs, oh yes, the carbs, Upton's greatest enemy. Now that he's got a six pack, he finally has the man too. Who's reminding him not to eat carbs.
"Upton rubbed his ass back against Sloan. “It’s been an excellent trip. All right. Carbs for my hubby. If I must.” Upton played at being upset, but he missed carbs and he loved Sloan holding him, so this was going to be the perfect night."
“You’ve played right into my hands, lobbyist. I love to inhale tiramisu!” Upton laughed and smeared a bit of his spoonful on Sloan’s lips."
God forbid a guy with a softer belly or thighs - but lean - and a fucking billionaire - should find a man to like him for looking exactly as he does right now without the six pack. He's a sweetheart fighting for gay rights, blue eyes, blond hair and whisks you on a private yacht to the Mediterranean, but fuck that shit if he doesn't have a six pack.
No six pack - no man - no real love and - no fantastic sex. Keep that in mind.
🟢 Their dialoges were cringe.
Who talks like this? What does this even mean? I won't even post more because the whole book of their dialogues was cringe.
“I promise not to get your cute little ass in any of the shots, but if you don’t sunbathe on your French Riviera honeymoon, what is your life really? C’mon up here and let me rub you down, my porcelain doll.”
They had the weirdest path to love, I mean it felt so forced and unnatural. Nothing was flowing as it should. They had this amazing wedding, a great fairytale wedding where Sloan was having an inner monologue thinking it couldn't be so bad if he's marrying into all this money, right?
So when they have their wedding night and sweet Upton thinks he might get a little lucky, Sloan tells him to go brush his teeth.
He gets out of it by saying "oh, I just didn't know your evening routine" - my goooood that was cringe - and then later when they kiss, Sloan is enjoying Upton's minty breath.
In the morning, after their night not spent together, Upton says
"Upton laughed and rolled his eyes. "Right. You want to see something really hot? I'm going to brush my teeth. Mm, yes, clean, minty breath for my man."
Noooooo! The guy just wanted a wedding night kiss! 😬🥴
So not only is Upton soft and needs a six pack, he also has bad breath? When he didn't! I mean he was the best character in this book yet he deals with this much shit just to get a man?
Nah, I don't think so.
Their relationship felt forced, there's no other way to put it. The natural chemistry just wasn't there. I was honestly expecting them to fall in love since they started off so promising, Sloan had major character development to go through, yet he didn't. He didn't reach that depth, he stayed closed off and almost calculating right until the end.
I couldn't feel one ounce of authentic affection towards Upton and in the end Upton did not get the guy who deserved him. He didn't.
When that wedding happened - after that they should've had a complete turnaround and just went for it, they should've opened up, really get intimate and emotional and dive in, build that relationship - they had sex and that was it. Upton wanted more, he was an emotional character, he was sweet, serious and amazing and he definitely deserved more.
The writing wasn't appetizing. I could hardly get through the book, it was too long and lost its potential pretty soon. A good idea, but wasn't well executed.
I liked His Fake Prison Daddy from these two authors and decided to give another one of their books a chance. I liked this cover, so I decided to go for this one.
The premise sounded really good - a little bit of politics, a fake marriage with a sex worker and a future potential president, some hot sex, some forced proximity and wrapping all of that into a nice little package made of true love? Yes, sign me up.
But the thing is, the book was so badly written that even though I honestly liked at least one MMC and the first half of the book, I can't rate it more than 2.5⭐ and that's only because I loved Upton and I loved the smut.
The sex scenes were really good, so I definitely appreciated that.
But everything else? Pass.
🟢 Fake marriage
🔵 Forced proximity
🟡 Sex work
🟣 Politics
🟠 Bad writing
🔵 Cringe dialogues
🟢 Not a satisfying resolve to the fake marriage
🌶️ Good sex; t/b
The story was about Upton, a young Congressman from a wealthy and powerful political liberal family, a very known openly gay political figure who wants to hire Zane, a known sex worker for the powerful and the rich, who's very discreet and that's just what Upton, who's always in the spotlight, needs.
Upton is 29 years old, but has had sex for only 3 years and can't really find a satisfying outlet to do what he wants to sexually, the guys he does hook up with don't really do it for him, he's never cuddled, touched, never had a relationship, never had a chance to live out any of his kinks either, so when Sloan, a 26 year old grad student who works as Zane, comes into his life, Upton's life changes for the better. Just one sexual encounter with Zane and Upton's feeling fantastic, especially so because Zane isn't just a hot prostitute, but has a brain, he's working on his masters, he wants to be politically involved in the LGBT issues too and has been following and admiring Upton's career.
🌶️ The sex they had was amazing. I mean - amazing. Oooff, seriously they were fantastic together. Every scene prolonged, sensual, focused on pleasure and the dialogues during those scenes were working, they were good.
Things were going well and even though the writing was a bit off, a bit weird, harder to get into, it was almost difficult to read it at times, I thought it's all looking great and I can't wait for that second part of the book where Sloan and Upton were outed for meeting each other and for Upton using a sex worker - and they had to come up with a plan to prevent the ultimate disaster for both of their lives.
They got fake married.
A fake marriage to save them both and considering they really didn't hate each other and they had a good time together, they were both gay and Upton was a sweetheart who's from some serious old money, they looked close and intimate at times, so I didn't think the outcome was going to be as complicated as it turned out to be.
I was so willing to give this book a shot even though the writing sucked, to be honest. It was so hard to read this book! But what happened in the second half was a total travesty. When these guys had a perfect opportunity to come together and maybe find love, this is where all the problems started.
🟡 Upton and carbs.
Upton was a sweetheart, he could do no harm. He's a cute blonde guy who doesn't work out much, he's always at work, he's kind, submissive, amazing, but to Sloan - he's not happening.
Sloan doesn't really like Upton, Upton's not his type, he'd never pick him up in a club and he has a complete awareness of how Upton's body isn't filled with muscles.
Yes, this is actually talked about a lot in the book.
"Upton wasn't the kind of guy he'd pick up in a club. He was beautiful in his own way, for certain, but he was a politician. He was eternally photogenic, television-ready, bland and polite."
"Upton, sweet and handsome and thoroughly decent, wouldn't usually register on Sloan's radar as a prospect, even though Upton Bennett had always been on Sloan's list of men he admired. Still, he liked Upton. Zane had liked Upton, and Sloan did too. Hesitantly, cautiously, but the fact remained."
"Not that Upton was trying to be sexy; what would he realistically have to offer in that department? He wasn't hideous, and now that he took in his body from a more objective standpoint, he supposed he did have less fluff around the middle. Still, he wasn't sort of guy someone would jerk off to."
Sloan does observe Upton's ass getting tighter and his body getting leaner in time, so he's thinking "hmmm, maybe I do want him?"
So throughout the whole book there's a theme where Upton has soft thighs and isn't really Sloan's type, but when they get married and he's trying to have a real relationship with Sloan, he's working out so he finally has that six pack.
Not to mention the talk of carbs, oh yes, the carbs, Upton's greatest enemy. Now that he's got a six pack, he finally has the man too. Who's reminding him not to eat carbs.
"Upton rubbed his ass back against Sloan. “It’s been an excellent trip. All right. Carbs for my hubby. If I must.” Upton played at being upset, but he missed carbs and he loved Sloan holding him, so this was going to be the perfect night."
“You’ve played right into my hands, lobbyist. I love to inhale tiramisu!” Upton laughed and smeared a bit of his spoonful on Sloan’s lips."
God forbid a guy with a softer belly or thighs - but lean - and a fucking billionaire - should find a man to like him for looking exactly as he does right now without the six pack. He's a sweetheart fighting for gay rights, blue eyes, blond hair and whisks you on a private yacht to the Mediterranean, but fuck that shit if he doesn't have a six pack.
No six pack - no man - no real love and - no fantastic sex. Keep that in mind.
🟢 Their dialoges were cringe.
Who talks like this? What does this even mean? I won't even post more because the whole book of their dialogues was cringe.
“I promise not to get your cute little ass in any of the shots, but if you don’t sunbathe on your French Riviera honeymoon, what is your life really? C’mon up here and let me rub you down, my porcelain doll.”
They had the weirdest path to love, I mean it felt so forced and unnatural. Nothing was flowing as it should. They had this amazing wedding, a great fairytale wedding where Sloan was having an inner monologue thinking it couldn't be so bad if he's marrying into all this money, right?
So when they have their wedding night and sweet Upton thinks he might get a little lucky, Sloan tells him to go brush his teeth.
He gets out of it by saying "oh, I just didn't know your evening routine" - my goooood that was cringe - and then later when they kiss, Sloan is enjoying Upton's minty breath.
In the morning, after their night not spent together, Upton says
"Upton laughed and rolled his eyes. "Right. You want to see something really hot? I'm going to brush my teeth. Mm, yes, clean, minty breath for my man."
Noooooo! The guy just wanted a wedding night kiss! 😬🥴
So not only is Upton soft and needs a six pack, he also has bad breath? When he didn't! I mean he was the best character in this book yet he deals with this much shit just to get a man?
Nah, I don't think so.
Their relationship felt forced, there's no other way to put it. The natural chemistry just wasn't there. I was honestly expecting them to fall in love since they started off so promising, Sloan had major character development to go through, yet he didn't. He didn't reach that depth, he stayed closed off and almost calculating right until the end.
I couldn't feel one ounce of authentic affection towards Upton and in the end Upton did not get the guy who deserved him. He didn't.
When that wedding happened - after that they should've had a complete turnaround and just went for it, they should've opened up, really get intimate and emotional and dive in, build that relationship - they had sex and that was it. Upton wanted more, he was an emotional character, he was sweet, serious and amazing and he definitely deserved more.
The writing wasn't appetizing. I could hardly get through the book, it was too long and lost its potential pretty soon. A good idea, but wasn't well executed.
March 19, 2018
Okay, well to start with this book needs serious editing. In the first 7% there were mulitple errors, usually more than one per page. I tried really hard not to notice them as I went forward but it was bad. Missing words, duplicated words, duplicated sentences, etc. Professionally speaking, this was a mess.
The story itself was okay. It wasn't the tightest plot. How the congressman and the whore got outed was so easy to deny it was ludicrous. Granted, Zane/Sloan would have paid the price for the connection but there was no reason for the two to be connected in the first place...I mean, unless I missed something, the only thing they were guilty of was being in the same hotel. At no point were they seen together or seen to be leaving the same room or even seen in the hotel together. They didn't come in at the same time nor leave at the same time (hours between them leaving and arriving). It was bad. The "fix" was an overreaction.
Next, once they get on the same page to be married, the "don't treat me like a whore" conversation that went so south for Zane/Sloan that drove him to isolate himself from Upton was something that, even after multiple reading of that section, I just didn't get.
Zane/Sloan was a very difficult character to really get to know also. He didn't have any idea who he was either.
All in all, this could have been a lot better but it was entertaining.
The story itself was okay. It wasn't the tightest plot. How the congressman and the whore got outed was so easy to deny it was ludicrous. Granted, Zane/Sloan would have paid the price for the connection but there was no reason for the two to be connected in the first place...I mean, unless I missed something, the only thing they were guilty of was being in the same hotel. At no point were they seen together or seen to be leaving the same room or even seen in the hotel together. They didn't come in at the same time nor leave at the same time (hours between them leaving and arriving). It was bad. The "fix" was an overreaction.
Next, once they get on the same page to be married, the "don't treat me like a whore" conversation that went so south for Zane/Sloan that drove him to isolate himself from Upton was something that, even after multiple reading of that section, I just didn't get.
Zane/Sloan was a very difficult character to really get to know also. He didn't have any idea who he was either.
All in all, this could have been a lot better but it was entertaining.
March 16, 2018
Far exceeded my expectations, transcending the trope. This well-paced, stirring and convincing romance definitely makes my Likely To Reread list. And it's Kindle Unlimited!
May 24, 2018
Fizzled at the end - 2.5* reluctantly rounded up
I had enjoyed one of the author's other books and in theory I like Marriage of Convenience so despite the horrific title and ugly cover I decided to give this one a whirl. On the very first page I nearly gave up because of the mention of BDSM. But I pressed on and for the first half it was quite engaging. The sex scenes were longer than I like but they were peppered with conversation which I do like. While breathplay was discussed and preliminaries set up there really was nothing too kinky. Light spanking, simple restraint.
The men were both nice and the situation appealing to me. There was a lot of set up in this book and I did not mind that too much. The thing I like about marriage of convenience is the day to day workings of the marriage. Sure it is great if they find burning attraction but the process of falling in love is what I want and in this I did not quite get it. In the end the story just fizzled. I completely skipped the last sex scene I was so bored. When I was done I went to go wash dishes and 15 minutes later I could not recall if I had actually come to the end of the book or not. Not what I call a burning recommendation.
I had enjoyed one of the author's other books and in theory I like Marriage of Convenience so despite the horrific title and ugly cover I decided to give this one a whirl. On the very first page I nearly gave up because of the mention of BDSM. But I pressed on and for the first half it was quite engaging. The sex scenes were longer than I like but they were peppered with conversation which I do like. While breathplay was discussed and preliminaries set up there really was nothing too kinky. Light spanking, simple restraint.
The men were both nice and the situation appealing to me. There was a lot of set up in this book and I did not mind that too much. The thing I like about marriage of convenience is the day to day workings of the marriage. Sure it is great if they find burning attraction but the process of falling in love is what I want and in this I did not quite get it. In the end the story just fizzled. I completely skipped the last sex scene I was so bored. When I was done I went to go wash dishes and 15 minutes later I could not recall if I had actually come to the end of the book or not. Not what I call a burning recommendation.
March 12, 2018
This was a good read with a bit of a twist. It is kind of a “Pretty Woman” scenario. One man is an escort, the other is a Congressman and everything is supposed to remain anonymous but of course things never happen that way.
Upton is a congressman that is out and proud but spends so much time working on what he believes in that it leaves little to no time to himself. So when he gets the number of an escort that is above board on discretion, Upton debates on whether to contact him or not. After much back and forth on the matter Upton decides to at least talk to him and see if there might be some kind of attraction. After speaking to him, Upton decides that he will book some time with him. Though Upton is still unsure of whether or not to follow through with the appointment, he proceeds to keep the appointment and hopes that some of the things that he really would love to try with someone will come out of it.
Sloan is the escort that Upton hired. But there is two different sides to Sloan. The escort side that is confident in everything that he does for a client and the real Sloan that is a college student doing what he must to pay for college. He does not let the two sides collide with the other or at least he doesn’t until they do.
When a reporter breaks the story of Upton with an escort, everything comes to head for both Upton and Sloan and some hard decisions has to be made.
Can two men that are completely opposites but also so much alike figure out how to make sure neither of their futures in politics comes to a quick end over a scandal like this? What will these two do? Can they save each other or is their personal needs going to end their political wants?
This was a really good read. There is a lot of back and forth on what to do and what each man thinks the other deserves. Sometimes it was a bit annoying but not enough to make me like it any less. I thought overall this was a great read. I think others will also.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Upton is a congressman that is out and proud but spends so much time working on what he believes in that it leaves little to no time to himself. So when he gets the number of an escort that is above board on discretion, Upton debates on whether to contact him or not. After much back and forth on the matter Upton decides to at least talk to him and see if there might be some kind of attraction. After speaking to him, Upton decides that he will book some time with him. Though Upton is still unsure of whether or not to follow through with the appointment, he proceeds to keep the appointment and hopes that some of the things that he really would love to try with someone will come out of it.
Sloan is the escort that Upton hired. But there is two different sides to Sloan. The escort side that is confident in everything that he does for a client and the real Sloan that is a college student doing what he must to pay for college. He does not let the two sides collide with the other or at least he doesn’t until they do.
When a reporter breaks the story of Upton with an escort, everything comes to head for both Upton and Sloan and some hard decisions has to be made.
Can two men that are completely opposites but also so much alike figure out how to make sure neither of their futures in politics comes to a quick end over a scandal like this? What will these two do? Can they save each other or is their personal needs going to end their political wants?
This was a really good read. There is a lot of back and forth on what to do and what each man thinks the other deserves. Sometimes it was a bit annoying but not enough to make me like it any less. I thought overall this was a great read. I think others will also.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
April 29, 2018
Kinda started off slow for me - if the MCs jumping into bed together immediately slow. I'd started to wonder when the actual story was going to start because it seemed like there was porn here and porn there but nothing else.
Then BOOM, fake marriage, and I couldn't put the book down after that.
Upton's - and to a lesser degree, Sloan's - insecurities were tiring sometimes, but understandable. I didn't begrudge them their misunderstandings either, considering the situation they were in. The sexy times were hot, and their chemistry was sizzling.
I don't usually read Pretty Woman-type stories but I really enjoyed this.
Then BOOM, fake marriage, and I couldn't put the book down after that.
Upton's - and to a lesser degree, Sloan's - insecurities were tiring sometimes, but understandable. I didn't begrudge them their misunderstandings either, considering the situation they were in. The sexy times were hot, and their chemistry was sizzling.
I don't usually read Pretty Woman-type stories but I really enjoyed this.
June 28, 2018
3.5 stars rounded down.
I didn't always get how/why they were hurting each other, it just didn't come through on page which was frustrating. Plus, although the sex was hot, there was a bit too much of it, and the breath play, that seemed like an important thing to Upton was minimal at best. I don't care that it was, but don't play it up then. Also, editing issues.
I loved Upton and Sloan, and I loved them together. Two people who have spent their lives closed off finding each other is always something I enjoy and that is delivered. I will read other books from these authors.
I didn't always get how/why they were hurting each other, it just didn't come through on page which was frustrating. Plus, although the sex was hot, there was a bit too much of it, and the breath play, that seemed like an important thing to Upton was minimal at best. I don't care that it was, but don't play it up then. Also, editing issues.
I loved Upton and Sloan, and I loved them together. Two people who have spent their lives closed off finding each other is always something I enjoy and that is delivered. I will read other books from these authors.
July 16, 2020
On the surface, this seems like a re-telling of Pretty Woman. The characters even mention the movie in relation to their own situation, but it is so much more! Upton Bennett is part of a political dynasty, an out congressman who lives in the shadows of his father's scandals and death. Sloan is a college student and a sex worker to the rich and powerful. But what is best about this story is the innocence and romance, how it builds and isn't an insta-love situation. I was so prepared to hate Upton's mother, but she turned out to be a good character, very Olivia Pope, early Scandal.
July 30, 2018
2.5
I love this trope but this just didn’t do it for me 🤷🏻♀️
I love this trope but this just didn’t do it for me 🤷🏻♀️
March 27, 2018
4 Stars!
When I come across marriage of convenience tropes, usually it’s light and fluff. So I was caught by surprise when this one felt rather heavy at times. I suppose it has an emotional weight to it which I did quite appreciate.
I love that instead of making it a simple scene where they decide to marry to get out of all the problems, it got into quite an emotional and sweet scene that was drawn out into two rather long chapters.
I didn’t love it but that’s just me. But I did like it very much. Looking forward to more stuff from these two authors!
When I come across marriage of convenience tropes, usually it’s light and fluff. So I was caught by surprise when this one felt rather heavy at times. I suppose it has an emotional weight to it which I did quite appreciate.
I love that instead of making it a simple scene where they decide to marry to get out of all the problems, it got into quite an emotional and sweet scene that was drawn out into two rather long chapters.
I didn’t love it but that’s just me. But I did like it very much. Looking forward to more stuff from these two authors!
April 15, 2018
Far better than expected. Interesting premise, and set in my city which is always fun. I thought the politics pieces gave a lot of flavor - though I could have used more of the sex worker pieces as those interactions never really carried the emotional impact they could have - for the throwing around of the "whore" label. The relationship felt so wonderful to me, and I was completely satisfied with the ending :)
April 7, 2018
Intense!
I must admit I liked the story more than I thought I would. From the subject matter I assumed it would be a trashy Washington DC story (likely taken from headlines of our not so illustrious or moral representatives). It seemed at first to follow in that vein but soon became something more. Two high profile people (subjectively) who came together for one reason, but through circumstances beyond their control, were tied together by a marriage of convenience.
What began as a temporary trust grew into a trusting and lasting love between these two lonely men.
The still have battles to fight, preconceived notions of right and wrong to wade through, and nasty politics to contend with, but they will endure. Because they have each other. Because they have a strong bond. Because they have a strong and enduring love.
I hope these authors are planning a sequel to this engrossing story. There are so many protagonists on the sidelines who could Try to give these two loving men grief. But I know these two will still come out on top and live to enjoy their HEA. They deserve nothing less.
I must admit I liked the story more than I thought I would. From the subject matter I assumed it would be a trashy Washington DC story (likely taken from headlines of our not so illustrious or moral representatives). It seemed at first to follow in that vein but soon became something more. Two high profile people (subjectively) who came together for one reason, but through circumstances beyond their control, were tied together by a marriage of convenience.
What began as a temporary trust grew into a trusting and lasting love between these two lonely men.
The still have battles to fight, preconceived notions of right and wrong to wade through, and nasty politics to contend with, but they will endure. Because they have each other. Because they have a strong bond. Because they have a strong and enduring love.
I hope these authors are planning a sequel to this engrossing story. There are so many protagonists on the sidelines who could Try to give these two loving men grief. But I know these two will still come out on top and live to enjoy their HEA. They deserve nothing less.
March 25, 2018
Okay, I hate the title, and I *really* hate the cover -- but. If the plot sounds like something you'll like (out gay congressman is sleeping with a sex worker because he wants to explore BDSM; they get caught and the congressman's mother insists that the only way to overcome the scandal is for them to get mawwied; so they do), you'll like this! The initial sex scenes weren't very convincing to me, but by the end, when they have gotten married and fallen back into sleeping with each other, but do not yet realize that they WUV each other? YAY! <3 <3 <3
I wanted a lot more politics, though. It was just sort of background and an excuse to make sure that the one character has a lot of family money. The book spent a lot of time telling me that the Love Interest was brilliant in his studies at Georgetown blah blah, but it didn't SHOW me. Let him solve a political problem for the MC or something...
Anyway, ignore that dreadful cover.
I wanted a lot more politics, though. It was just sort of background and an excuse to make sure that the one character has a lot of family money. The book spent a lot of time telling me that the Love Interest was brilliant in his studies at Georgetown blah blah, but it didn't SHOW me. Let him solve a political problem for the MC or something...
Anyway, ignore that dreadful cover.
June 7, 2018
I usually don't enjoy sex worker stories but this was something extra with the arranged marriage spin. I liked the story and I completely loved Upton - he was such a genuine and caring person! Unfortunately, I didn't like Sloan's character. As Zane, he was amazing, but as Sloan, he just wasn't a nice person to me. I don't care that he was a sex worker and I understand that he was jaded, but he didn't even try to make the best out of what happened?? Like wouldn't you at least try to be friends with the person you're supposed to be with for the next 5 years?? He was just so mean to Upton because he just concentrated on his own feelings. Later on, when they both fell in love it also felt like it was based too much on sex....we couldn't see much of their connection as friends because we didn't see them together outside of sex scenes. And for Sloan to start loving someone just because the person was amazingly submissive?? Jesus. Whatever.
April 5, 2018
The premise of this book lured me in, and I found it lived up to what I wanted from it. The sex work aspect of the story was treated like a job - not specifically shamed, although a few characters did have issues, and not glorified. I really liked both of the main characters, and while I was prepared to dislike the congressman's mother I warmed up to her a great deal by the end.
My only complaint was the number of sex scenes. I know, it seems like a weird thing to complain about in a book about a sex worker, right? And I'm sure the author(s) worked hard to craft each scene, but by the end of the book I was honestly skimming over them. Some of them advanced the plot, and some of them seemed to eat up space.
It's a tiny little issue, really. It was a fun read, and if I'm skipping over sex scenes to get to more character that's probably okay.
My only complaint was the number of sex scenes. I know, it seems like a weird thing to complain about in a book about a sex worker, right? And I'm sure the author(s) worked hard to craft each scene, but by the end of the book I was honestly skimming over them. Some of them advanced the plot, and some of them seemed to eat up space.
It's a tiny little issue, really. It was a fun read, and if I'm skipping over sex scenes to get to more character that's probably okay.
November 12, 2022
3.5
DNF - speaks for itself
1. Pretty much had to force myself to finish
2. Ok - may try another in series/by author, may not
3. Good. I liked it. Will definitely read more. (This is where most books will land)
4. Loved it; can't wait for more
5. Wow. Just...wow.
So, I started this book about a week ago and was wishy washy about, but couldn't quite figure out why. And then I realized that I'd just pretty much binge read L.A. Witt's 6 book escort series Gentlemen of the Emerald City. And while this was not really the same, it was close enough.
So I put it away for the week, and when I went back to it...yeah, I liked it.
I liked the characters, the plot was close to believable, and it was pretty well written. I hadn't read this author before, so I'm off to explore.
DNF - speaks for itself
1. Pretty much had to force myself to finish
2. Ok - may try another in series/by author, may not
3. Good. I liked it. Will definitely read more. (This is where most books will land)
4. Loved it; can't wait for more
5. Wow. Just...wow.
So, I started this book about a week ago and was wishy washy about, but couldn't quite figure out why. And then I realized that I'd just pretty much binge read L.A. Witt's 6 book escort series Gentlemen of the Emerald City. And while this was not really the same, it was close enough.
So I put it away for the week, and when I went back to it...yeah, I liked it.
I liked the characters, the plot was close to believable, and it was pretty well written. I hadn't read this author before, so I'm off to explore.
July 17, 2021
I'm not sure how I feel about this book, it took me a while to get into this, I didn't really like how the explicit scenes were written. I kinda like Sloan as a character, but I could not deal with Upton. I couldn't come up with a mental picture of what he looked like, I'm not even really sure how old he is, and all I imagine is some crusty old congressman, and whenever I thought about that, I just could not get into his character.
Overall, this book was meh. It wasn't particularly good or particularly bad. I personally wouldn't rec this book to anyone.
Overall, this book was meh. It wasn't particularly good or particularly bad. I personally wouldn't rec this book to anyone.
April 20, 2018
If you ignore the awful title and cover that make this book sound a lot more trashy than it is, you're in for a surprisingly-sweet-with-a-side-of-kinky M/M take on the good old Pretty Woman trope featuring a congressman and the male sex worker he hires to explore his desires with ending up in a marriage of convenience that turns into much more. Enjoyed it quite a bit despite the fact that I didn't care all that much for either of the protagonists.
September 26, 2020
A Sweet romance in an unusual place
A gay politician found what he is missing from a sex worker who together found love, passion in each other. There are a lot of chemistry, attraction, caring, push and pull between the two MCs. So happy for Sloan to find his real love and family in Upton who is so kind, generous and sweet to Sloan. So happy for them to work out and find their HEA.
A gay politician found what he is missing from a sex worker who together found love, passion in each other. There are a lot of chemistry, attraction, caring, push and pull between the two MCs. So happy for Sloan to find his real love and family in Upton who is so kind, generous and sweet to Sloan. So happy for them to work out and find their HEA.
March 20, 2022
It always feels a little weird to ding a book for too much gay sex, But I'm gonna say it: This book had too much gay sex. I probably wouldn't have minded so much if the rest of the book hadn't been so good. The characters are well realized, the angst felt earned and I cared about the characters. Which is why it is oddly jarring to have the story stop cold for yet another very long, very detailed sex scene.
November 10, 2022
I know I always say 'To each his own' but I can't help but be a little surprised at the ratings here for this story. I know the title is a bit blunt but it was exactly that that drew me in. This story is intense, sexy as heck, and well laid out. I was SOOO invested in these two it hurt as their confusion, doubts, and struggles sent them both reeling at times. I absolutely loved this story, the politics, the sex worker, the intrigue, and most of all the romance and sexiness, a wonderful read.
March 18, 2018
FANTASTIC!!!!
This is a great read, and a nice change of pace from the multitude of written to a formula mm romance that are available today. Upton and Sloan begin their relationship in an unconventional way, progress to a necessary (for Sloans' survival) marriage, through an idyllic honeymoon, and eventually after a twist that would be a spoiler if revealed, a HEA.
This is a great read, and a nice change of pace from the multitude of written to a formula mm romance that are available today. Upton and Sloan begin their relationship in an unconventional way, progress to a necessary (for Sloans' survival) marriage, through an idyllic honeymoon, and eventually after a twist that would be a spoiler if revealed, a HEA.
March 21, 2018
Good
This was a pretty interesting story. Two people forced in an unplanned marriage in order to save one. Throughout the process they learn more about each other and develop a bond. There a twist that allows them to realize the depth of their feelings. The story is easy to read and interesting!
This was a pretty interesting story. Two people forced in an unplanned marriage in order to save one. Throughout the process they learn more about each other and develop a bond. There a twist that allows them to realize the depth of their feelings. The story is easy to read and interesting!
January 12, 2022
A roller coaster romance filled with political intrigue and maneuvering, genuine affection and emotional intelligence, and supportive partnerships. I will be interested to read this book in a couple of decades and see (hopefully) how much our culture has shifted, but either way, this book provides what I think will be a cultural time capsule of current social mores in American politics.
May 3, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. It's a slow burn book, meaning it takes a while to warm you up and get you into the story and to start the nitty gritty story. A great read. 250+ pages of story. Recommend.
January 6, 2023
a must read!
Saw this recommended somewhere and thought I would give it a go. Really glad I did. Such a great story of how these characters come together and overcome their circumstances.
Saw this recommended somewhere and thought I would give it a go. Really glad I did. Such a great story of how these characters come together and overcome their circumstances.
April 16, 2023
I liked the characters. I wanted more of them. Sadly, the book was mostly just sex and I found myself skimming past it. Don't get me wrong, I love steamy sex in books, and I'm even up for BDSM. But this sex felt too scene-ish and lacked what I wanted emotionally. That said, it wasn't a bad book. It just had too much of what I didn't want and not enough of what I did.
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