Satin is an evocative word, making one think of smooth, shiny and sleek. It's an apt simile for this story, beyond the dress fabric in the book. Ross is a female impersonator, not a drag queen, singing old torch songs in a nightclub. Ross’s true vocation though, is ballet. Joel, a cop undercover in the club, is intrigued by “Satin”, Ross’s alter-ego. Joel is in complete denial of his bisexuality, simply because he's never chosen to act on any male attraction he's felt, and says he's straight. “Satin” has been watching him back though and initiates a coffee date. Joel, in spite of his trepidation, accepts.
Told in alternating POV’s, they move from friendship to sex, to a relationship that Joel remains stubbornly blind to. Joel's characterization felt somewhat weak and I'm not sure why he was written that way. He engages in too much circular, unresolved internal debate, and isn't shown taking real initiative in resolving the issues that ultimately break him and Ross apart. Ross’s remarks puzzled me at times too, still thinking of Joel as “straight” until late in the story. It takes interventions, both good and bad, from Trish, Joel's police partner and Helena, Ross’s roommate to finally get Joel to come to his senses. It did end quite splendidly, with a lovely epilogue and a pretty solid HEA. It's an engaging series of novellas and I will happily continue to follow it!
*An ARC was provided to me by the author, requesting an honest review on Hearts On Fire Reviews blog*