Strip Me

by Margay Leah Justice

This sizzling and passionate romance follows two men whose lives are turned upside down by their intense mutual attraction.

Sam Richmond is a workaholic in danger of becoming the very man he despises—his father. Stressed and sick with worry, he’s desperate to shake off the shackles that bind him to his current path and embark on a life lived only for himself.

His friends are determined to pull him out of his funk and decide to drag him to a strip club that caters to both men and women. Sam is shocked when he develops an attraction to the show’s male Rico McIntyre. The two men end up in a backroom for a private lap dance that ends up being a game-changer for them.

Because, despite the fact that they both identify themselves as heterosexual, they decide to explore their strange attraction for one another—if only for one night. But one night quickly becomes another and then another, until a misunderstanding tears the two apart. Both men attempt to forget about the other, only for life to unexpectedly reunite them.

Can Sam and Rico embark on a relationship and come to terms with their new understandings of themselves and who they love? Or are they doomed from the start?

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Contemporary, Gay For You, Queer

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2019

Reviews

[Shin Mon Thway · Rating 5 out of 5]

My God! Where do I begin with this review? 😁 First of all, can I get a “hallelujah” for that cover? Girrrrrrrrrl, that cover is sickening and giving me life!!!! 😱😍❤️ Second, this is the book which SebYo got his cherry popped by the irresistible Kale Williams. I’m talking about SebYo’s very FIRST MM narration people! Get your minds out of the gutter! 🤣😜 And wow oh wow! 😱 What a performance! 🥰 This Audio was EVERYTHING! 💜

Sam lives a very stressful life. Being the only son of an infamous business mogul comes with more cons than pros. He’s always stressed, overworked and no time to enjoy life. But now, he found himself in a strip club on his birthday, courtesy of his soon-to-be ex-friends’ shenanigans, and being inexplicably attracted to the headliner “man” of the show. That’s right! 😉 There are tons of super stunning woman on that stage but that irresistible, gorgeous man in leather pants is the one who’s giving his life “in his pants”. (Lol, I’m rolling with pans you guys! 🤣😂) Sam has never been not even slightly attracted to a man but now he can’t take his eyes off that gorgeous stripper. Rico identifies himself as 100% heterosexual but the other birthday boy who’s sitting at the very edge of the stage with the feral look for him is making an impression on him. Hell, Rico is even giving an extra enthusiastic show for the man in suit. When Rico found the suit in bindings in his private room for a lap dance, both men lost their inhibitions. After all, it’s their birthdays and what happened on birthdays doesn’t count. Right?

My god, the beginning of this book was soooooo freaking hot that I thought I’d need a tub full of ice to cool down! 😅 It was that smoking hot! 🔥🔥🔥 And double GFY!!!! 😱🥳 Despite what you might think from the beginning, this book is very slow and sensual. Rico is the epitome of someone who’s afraid to lose his heart if he goes all in. The attraction was sizzling and both men are crazy for each other but that tug and pull and run and chase, I was ALL for it. 👋 I liked the fact that this book was quite realistic. It was insta-lust but definitely not insta-love. These two had to work hard to overcome their big differences and I loved that bittersweet angst in it. I would say this book ends as a HFN and I’m very hopeful for a sequel soon. 🙏 And surprise? Despite being it extra hot and spicy, there’s no actual sex in it. 😅 But rest assured, those two men together were so sexy and erotic that you wouldn’t even have noticed it. And my my, usually, I’m quite dreadful when it comes to dual romances because it is so difficult to convey each other’s voices when the two narrators are reading different chapters by themselves but SebYo ans Kale Williams were giving me life! Goosebumps guys! Goosebumps! 😳😱 Their narrations and performances are THAT good! This is my very first time reading Margay Leah Justice and I admit that the very reason why this book caught my attention was because Kale Williams is the narrator but this definitely won’t be the last time I’ll be reading from this author. Spectacular writing with phenomenal performance from the two very BEST narrators in the industry. 😍🥰 I couldn’t have asked for more. Now, I gotta stalk and demand the author for a sequel ASAP! Recommend this to everyone and their mothers! 😏 You are welcome girls! 😂


5 You make me believe in forever .. baby stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




Audio rating

Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two straight guys meet at a stripper bar ... and they hook up with each other. 🤔.

Whatev, let's roll with it. I have no problem believing in lust/love at first sight. You can see someone across a room, feel the sparks, and think "I want him". So it's only one more step forward for me to think this could happen to two previously hetero people.

I enjoyed the early parts of Rico and Sam's hookups relationship. I could see how something like that could develop into something more. However, I wasn't a fan of "how" it developed within the plot. Throw in a bunch of reveals that felt like coming in from left field and I found myself eye-rolling.

I can't quite put my finger on why this wasn't a five star read for me. All the elements were there, but they didn't flow seemlessly for me. Maybe I needed more introspection from both MCs. I know I needed more buildup for each reveal.

Finally --- was that a cliffhanger ending???

The story was ok for me. According to GR ratings, an ok read is 2 stars. That's not bad! Bad is one star. People tend to confuse the meanings of GR ratings. I'm trying hard to stick to the definitions this year, so 2 stars for a story that was ok for me.


Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley

[AussieMum · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Um...this one falls squarely in the ok box for me. It had steamy and sweet moments, for sure. But missed the mark for me in the relationship development. These guys have an attraction that they fight, sometimes literally, every other time they’re together. They want it..then they don’t...then they aren’t sure...then they know, rinse and repeat. They openly admit that they don’t know anything about each other and yet they don’t have any real conversations to rectify the matter. Then we get a whole lot of miscommunication and an ending that leaves you hanging with a whole lotta loose ends. What the hell?? Am I missing something? Is there a book 2? A novella? An extended epilogue somewhere? This book left me frustrated.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not going to lie the one and the only reason I pre-ordered this book was that of Sebastian York's narration on an MM book. I mean hello who wouldn’t want to listen to that??!??!

I enjoyed the story, it was sweet and difficult at times for both of these guys but once they let it happen it was truly beautiful. I couldn’t have asked for a better storyline. There wasn’t a lot of drama; no one was stuck in the closet. They embraced who they were. Was it always easy no what relationship is?
Growth is what makes the world go round so it was no different for these two having to navigate a new relationship they were both so new at.

Did I mention the narration?? Cause HELLO SebYo in an MM scene... HELLO HOTNESS. Thank you to the Lord above for the gift of SebYo’s delicious voice.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars! Quick, fervent, and salacious!

Strip Me is a passionate tale that takes us into the lives of Sam and Rico as they learn the power of attraction, how to embrace their sexuality, and embark on a budding relationship that will require a lot of understanding and trust.

The writing is racy and precise. The characters are charismatic, handsome, and intelligent. And the plot is an alluring tale full of familial drama, sexual innuendoes, flirty banter, sizzling chemistry, friendship, heartfelt moments, and love.

Overall, Strip Me is an easy, provocative, steamy read by Justice and even though I thought it ended a little quickly, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that perhaps we’ll get an opportunity to check back in with these characters once again in a later novel.

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was intresting to read about two guys realised there where more to their sexuality then they first thought. But I wasn't overly attached to the story nor the romance. Felt like something was missing for me to enjoy it fully. It was an okay read. 3.5 stars and I would like yo read more by Margay Leah Justice

[Monica Vidal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin...For starters, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that this is the first m/m book of this author. I can be wrong, but I don’t think I am. How do I know? Because it has te ever present in “gfy” books “no women before you had ever felt so good” theme. Honestly. It pisses me off on a level, it’s so wrong in so many ways. 1st, you don’t need to shit on women to validate two guys feelings; 2nd, if the guys are discovering they are bisexual, putting women off kinda goes against everything bisexuality is; 3rd, in this case both guys had never been with a man before and you want me to believe this is the best blowjob they ever got?; 4th, authors need to stop equalling good sex with being in love. Sex can be good without love and sex can be awful even when you are in love with someone. Sex is an action, it takes experience and knowledge. Love is a feeling. They are different things. That just condones on the stupid idea that sex with love is the best sex ever and women forever have been buying on this shit. IT’S NOT TRUE.

Aside from that, the guys met and it was lust at first time. I could get behind that. It’s fine. Sometimes you hit off with someone and things can progress to a relationship. But then one of the MCs started to act like a very annoying virgin girl, who couldn’t have anything intimate with the other MC until they proven to each other what they had was more than sex. That being after they had spent a month fooling around in any way possible, except for anal sex. Idk what annoyed me more: they guy holding on to his virtue or the other one who kept insisting they had sex. Not to mention they relationship felt fake and shallow to me.

Then the one guy demanding they prove they could build a relationship aside from sex was hiding from the other the fact he was a widower with two children. I mean, I don’t know about you guys, but I believe any relationship is based in trust and omission is the same as lying in my book. AND he had the nerve to be mad at the other guy when the guy found out! WHAT THE EVER FUCK?

Not happy with all that, the fucking book ended in the worst possible way with no HEA and there’s no next book (not that I’d ever read that) and they never had actual sex. All the aforementioned “fooling around” was just telling and not showing.

Seriously, the only reason I finished it was so I could say with all propriety that I HATED it. Ugh.

[Ed Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally if I don’t finish a book I also don’t want to review it. I suffered through 40 torturous minutes listening to this and I want to want others. It’s sooooo boring. One long boring monologue after another from the two main characters. It really gets 0 stars from me. Unfortunately this was a book sitting on my shelf for a long time or I would send it back.

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review from 2019

B+ for narration, C- for content. And WTF is with that ending??

I’m far more likely to take a chance on a new or new-to-me author in audio than I am in print, especially if their book is performed by someone I enjoy listening to. So, when Margay Leah Justice’s Strip Me came up for review with two very familiar names attached, I decided to give it a try. Kale Williams is an experienced narrator I’ve enjoyed listening to on several occasions and Sebastian York is… well, Sebastian York! If nothing else, the narration should be good, right? And it is.

But the story? There are a couple of good ideas here, but overall, it’s a bit of a mess, the characterisation is fairly superficial, and the writing is distinctly amateurish in places. Gay-For-You stories are tricky to do well at the best of times and I’ve read and listened to far better examples of the trope than this one.

Strip Me opens with workaholic Sam Richmond rather reluctantly visiting a strip club with friends on his birthday. It’s not really his thing, but what his friends haven’t told him is that the club employs male and female dancers on alternate nights – and that this is one of the nights when the dancers are men. Okay, so Sam isn’t freaked out; he’s not bothered at all really, until he notices one dancer in particular – and for some reason can’t take his eyes off him.

Sam’s friends – and I was already asking myself “with friends like these, who needs enemies?” – have another surprise in store for him, which is how he ends up in one of the private rooms in the back, blindfolded, with his hands tied (loosely) to the sofa. When he hears the door open, he just knows it’s the guy he’d been watching.

By strange co-incidence (!) it’s Rico McIntyre’s thirtieth birthday that night and although he, like Sam, identifies as straight, he can’t deny that being the sole focus of the hot guy in the suit had been one helluva turn-on. He thinks his colleagues must have decided to give him a birthday present… and he might as well enjoy it.

An intense make-out session follows – actually, it’s more than making out, but I guess if you’re straight, exchanging blow-jobs, rubbing off and rimming don’t count as having sex. (*/irony*) Somebody please correct me if I’m wrong. Whatever, the guys have a wild night and part hours later, assuming they’ll never cross paths again. Except… Sam can’t stop thinking about Rico and the incredible sex they’d had, but more than that, he’d felt a connection with him like nothing he’s felt with anyone else. He ends up going back to the club – and Rico – that weekend, and then again a few more times, until finally, scared at what it might all mean, he legs it to New York where he spends the next three months shagging as many women as possible in order to try to get Rico out of his system. (Clearly, Sam hasn’t read enough romance novels to know that NEVER works.)

No, unluckily for Sam, fate has other ideas. The story now veers into “OMG, the hottie I hooked up with last night is my boss/business rival” territory, because the next time Sam and Rico see each other, is in Sam’s office.

Stop rolling your eyes so hard – you’ll do yourself an injury!

After this, Sam and Rico, blindsided by their mutual attraction and the fact that they’re feeling more than just attraction, decide it’s something worth exploring, and that they should try dating. Rico says they should take sex out of the equation so they can make sure whatever is going on between them isn’t just based on physical attraction, and neither wants to risk coming out if whatever this is isn’t going anywhere. Sam’s dad is on at him to settle down and get married for the sake of the company (?!), so Sam says he’ll probably have to go out with some women for appearance’s sake – oh, and he might sleep with one or two of them if he needs to scratch any itches because Rico won’t be putting out. What a prince.

All this happens in the first few chapters, and I quickly lost count of all the inconsistencies and implausibilities, but here are a few of the ones that kept nagging at me. It was difficult to accept that two men who have never so much as looked at another man in a sexual way (well, we’re later told that Rico thought about it once or twice in college) would hook up without any real qualms, but let’s move on: Rico is thirty and seems to have a good day job, but still works three nights a week at a strip club. (Reasons are given, but they’re pretty flimsy.) Although part of the plot hinges around the fact that the company Sam works for – incidentally, owned by his obnoxious father – is poised to buy out the firm Rico works for, we never know what either of them does for a living. This company we’re told Sam works so hard for and which his father neglects his family for… I have no idea what it was or did. And then, when Rico’s company goes down and Sam offers him a job, he’ll report directly to Sam, but of course, that won’t affect their personal relationship in any way. Um… this sort of thing has always been a huge no-no in most workplace romances, and I suspect that if Rico had been a woman, we’d all be saying “no way!” There’s some dumb last-minute drama and Rico’s Big Secret is revealed (which raised yet more issues I won’t go into because – spoilers). But the real kicker is this – the WTF? mid-scene ending. There’s no mention of a cliffhanger in the blurb, and I can (at time of writing) find no mention of a sequel. Way to piss off your audience, Ms. Justice.

It will come as no surprise that the only thing that kept me from ripping out my earbuds and stomping on them was the narration, which was as engaging and polished as I’d expect from two such experienced performers. It’s probably down to their portrayals that I found Sam and Rico to be as likeable as I did, because some of the things they say and do are naïve/dumb/ridiculous/All of The Above. Sebastian York narrates the chapters told from Rico’s PoV, and his gorgeous, deep baritone contrasts nicely with Kale Williams’ slightly higher pitch and softer timbre, so listeners always know whose head they’re in at any given point. Both do a good job of portraying the other lead, Mr. Williams adopting a lower, slightly gruffer tone when Rico is speaking, and Mr. York using a lighter tone and timbre for Sam, and all the other technical issues – pacing, enunciation and character differentiation – are perfectly fine. There are a few female secondary characters in the story – Rico’s mother and sister, and Sam’s sister – and they’re clearly differentiated, although differently realised by each narrator. They do an excellent job with the sex (or not) scenes, which again, is no surprise considering they’re both well-versed in the genre, and don’t hesitate to pull out the stops in the few more intense, emotional moments.

I can’t say that the expert narration elevated the story in Strip Me, because I was all too conscious of its shortcomings, but I can say that Mr. Williams and Mr. York managed to convey a degree of emotional connection between the protagonists and made me want to find out what happened to them. I can’t recommend this audio if you’re looking for a well put-together story of sexual awakening and discovery, but if, however, listening to Sebastian York narrating a male/male romance is on your bucket list… you pays your money and you takes your choice.

[Ronie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah no I want more! I mean to have friends that see you are all up in your head. Stage a private show. That leaves you exploring a guy's treasure trove. Both decide its a one time deal.

Had me continually checking to make sure this wasn't another spicy short story.. after 4 hours in. I didn't want the story to end. Talk about relationship development.

Best part is, there wasn't that speed run wrap up...because romance genre demands a HEA.

What I did take away
A void, cause I want to see what happens with old boys sister. Really, is his father having an affair. I was getting that vibe. That if he ever came out to his father. He would us that as the catalyst to find a younger wife. Dudes mom deserves better.

So many avenues to explore in this world. I enjoyed every word.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to give this book more than two stars, I really did, because when it was hot it was off the charts! But everything else in it was a hot mess characterization-wise. You never got a sense of any of the other characters besides the two main ones even existing - they were all like two-dimensional props pulled out for the benefit of Sam and Rico's story; there was never a sense that they had lives of their own that didn't revolve around Sam and/or Rico.

And for someone who supposedly cared as much about his kids as Rico did to leave them at the drop of a hat for a week-long out of town trip? Yes, there was some comment where he said he had to "make some arrangements" first or something like that, but I still don't buy it. He never even mentioned them (or his family or his dead wife) even in his solo internal narrative bits. One would think they'd mean more to him than a convenient plot point.

So, in short: hot sexy sex bits, not great everything else.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss+.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 2🌶

Wow I really enjoyed this. My only con is that it wasn’t long enough. There were a few story lines that I wanted more from but I’ll leave it at that because I don’t want to give anything away. There we’re a few twist I didn’t see coming.

The first club scene was hott, really the first few chapters were but then the story got deeper but the sexual tension was always there. I loved Rico & Sam they had great chemistry. I wish we would have gotten more at the end and to have finally seen them go all the way.

Again, there wasn’t much smut, but the sexual tension and the stolen moments were A+!

The audiobook narrators, Sebastian York and Kale Williams, is why I listened. {oh and that cover} 🫠🫠🫠

[Diayll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and hot...review to come...

[MunWolfieSNM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vale, la verdad es que me estaba gustando un montón y me tenía súper enganchada al principio. Me encanta cómo se conocen y me encanta la idea de que ambos se crean heteros y vayan descubriendo que no lo son.

Pero me han fallado los conflictos. No entiendo por qué pasan tantos meses sin hablarse por una discusión tontisima. Tampoco entiendo que Rico no quiera intimar con Sam cuando ya lo han hecho muchas veces. Estaban todo el rato diciendo que no se conocían pero no hablaban para solucionarlo. Y he sentido que lo de la mujer y los niños se lo ha sacado de la manga, no tenía sentido con todo lo anterior. No entiendo por qué no son sinceros el uno con el otro desde el principio (bueno esto va más por Rico, el pobre Sam lo estaba intentando).

Y cuando se pone emocionante otra vez, se termina. Me cuentan por encima el encuentro de Sam con los niños, en tres frases te dicen que eso, lo de la sesión de fotos y la conversación que tanto necesitaban tener fue bien. Así, sin más, bien. Y PUM, se termina con Sam diciendo que ahora toca contárselo a su familia.

No entiendo por qué abres tantas tramas si no las vas a cerrar, y tampoco entiendo por qué no las cierras si el libro tiene solo 190 páginas, podías haber seguido. Es como si no estuviera terminado.

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars!

Sometimes I'm in the mood for erotic tales and the synopsis fit the bill for this possibility. Was it steamy? Sure. The premise is Sam is a workaholic and straight. His friends want to make him have fun so they bring him to a strip joint and buy him a private dancer with a man.

Rico has reason to be working at the strip joint. He likes his woman and doesn't mind the job but one man catches his eye. And lo and behold wouldn't you know it deep down in Rico's memory he happens to bisexual. Shocking??? Not. Due to this it made it a bit predictable and unbelievable at times, but I did like the chemistry between Sam and Rico.

[Fny]

DNF 33%.... I just can’t with it...

[HelloLasse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Den startede semi spicy, med ideen om #NoHomo osv men derefter meh

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happened?

The book started out great. The flow of events unfolding was captivating and then it stopped making sense.

What started out as a GFY kind of story, ended up too dramatic and too problematic. I could barely stand Rico's hesitance, his push and pull, the omission about vital and most important part of himself. I don't see why he couldn't be upfront and honest about the important aspects of his life. It felt like it was meant to be a curve ball, only it missed its shot.

I adore Sam, bless his patient heart.

I was happy there was an epilogue... and then the story just ended. What was that? Was it meant to be a cliffhanger? Why bother with an epilogue then?

The narrators are what attracted me to this book: Sebastian York and Kale Williams. Both did a really great job. I wish they Sebastian narrated more M/M romance books.

[danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pretty torn on rating this one.

First the pluses:

-great narration (for the audiobook version)
-good story overall
-good chemistry between the MCs and the building up of a relationship (at least the start of one)

The minuses:

-given the pacing from the beginning, the ending was inconsistent with that pacing and it ended before the story was really done
-honestly, it ended as if there will be another book to continue the story. But, since I couldn't find any info that that would be true, it sort of ruined things for me in how it ended

If the story, at least the latter part of it had been more flushed out and happened on page, I would have rated this at least 4 stars. But, those negatives are just too big to ignore. However, the positives that do exist and the strength of the first 80% of the story was too solid for me to rate it any lower than 3 stars.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. One of the main reasons for getting it was seeing Sebastian York in a MM story and I REALLY REALLY wanted to see how that played out. Funny how this man (SY) is getting his own fan base, but I digress. I think I honestly rated this at about a 3.5 or possibly even 3.75 stars, but the ending kinda blew it for me. It felt like it just ended. Especially because part of where the drama was going to explode was going to be was with Sam’s dad, so....... nothing mentioned about that? At all?

All I can think of, the only thing that makes sense, is that there is going to be a sequel. So, I guess we’ll see.

[Amy Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decently good book. I will admit, as I am sure is the case with others, that I was drawn to this book by the fact that Sebastian York was narrating AND it was m/m. I could not give this book 5 stars, though. I needed more a more in depth story and def more substance to the ending. I felt that after all of the hesitation and struggles that they went through for the revelation and introductions at the ending, there should have been some sort of pause between the revelation and introduction. Then...bam. The end. Oh and after all that you still don't get what you were waiting for...Still recommend it, but I felt like there was no real ending.

[Nikkie · Rating 1 out of 5]

"It's a good thing I didn't meet her first or I'd be be locked up right now for fucking her before she was legal"

is wild for a 32 year old to say about his partner's 18 year old sister 🤮 🤮🤮

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Los amigos de Sam, dueño de una empresa muy conocida, lo llevan a un club de Strip el día de su cumpleaños y allí no logra resistir la atracción inmediata que siente hacia Rico, uno de los strippers. Por su parte, Rico lo localiza entre el público y es incapaz de quitarle los ojos de encima. Los amigos de ambos protagonistas le organizan un encuentro, el cual se convierte en una situación bastante hot, dejando todos sus prejuicios e ideas preconcebidas a un lado. Ambos han creído toda su vida que son heterosexuales, pero la atracción que sienten hacia el otro es imposible de negar. ¿Hacia dónde irá la relación de ambos? ¿Será algo puramente físico o llegará a más?


Bueno, tengo mucho que decir del libro porque empezó muy bien, pero al final me ha ido decepcionando poco a poco. El inicio es buenísimo, te engancha enseguida y no pude soltar el libro hasta haberme leído más de un cuarto de la historia. Se presenta con un ritmo fascinante que te atrapa y un conflicto que lo hace aún más: el hecho de que dos hombres heterosexuales comiencen a cuestionarse su sexualidad y quieran saber a dónde va a parar su relación. Hasta aquí todo bien, hay momentos muy tiernos y muchos momentos muy hot. Los personajes tienen, además, muchos conflictos internos respecto a todo este tema, pero vas viendo cómo intentan dejar todo a un lado para luchar por la relación.


No obstante, todo comienza a tomar un ritmo un tanto repetitivo y lineal cuando alcanza la mitad del libro. Rico y Sam se ven envueltos en alguna que otra pelea bastante tonta y una reticencia por parte de Rico de volver a llevar su relación al terreno físico que en algunos momentos no he llegado a entender. Cuando Sam, que parecía tener bastante más dudas, comienza a evolucionar, vemos un atraso en la evolución de Rico, el cual fue el primero en lanzarse. Juro que lo entendía, pero creo que a veces se volvía un tanto denso todo el tema, por mucho que Sam le dijera cosas que le proporcionaban tranquilidad respecto al rumbo de la relación.


Por último, lo que, bajo mi punto de vista, ha terminado de estropear el libro ha sido el final. En los últimos 3 capítulos se abre un conflicto inmenso, el cual pienso que se debería haber ido introduciendo poco a poco y que no se resuelve del todo bien. En poco más de 20 páginas la autora coge una velocidad increíble, soluciona ciertas cosas de forma apresurada y se deja tramas abiertas por todos lados. Me ha dejado con mal sabor de boca, con la sensación de que el libro no estaba terminado y de que faltaba algo más. No sé si se supone que tenía pensado escribir una novela corta, otro libro o un epílogo más extenso, pero me ha dado mucha pena que acabara así.


Resumiendo, le pongo las 3 estrellas porque es entretenido y fácil de leer, además de que el principio me enganchó demasiado. Sin embargo, ese final ha manchado el recuerdo de la mayor parte del libro y me ha dejado con muy mal sabor de boca...

[Val MM · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so frustrating because it had so much potential and fell so short. I love me a double bi-awakening story and this was set up pretty well. A co-ed strip club and a straight male dancer (Rico) and straight male patron (Sam) make eyes at each other all night, end up in the champagne room and go wild on each other. So far so good. Then Sam returns to the strip club every Saturday for 3 weeks. Hot. Then as they are going to take it outside the strip club for the first time, they argue when Rico answers a call from a woman and calls her a pet name. Sam assumes the worst without so much as a “hey who was that?” And Rico gets pissed and they don’t see each other again for 8 weeks when Rico shows up at Sam’s office about some business takeover??? This subplot was kind of insane and not explained well at all. Turns out Rico’s boss was lying or a crook or who knows but who cares because the plot was just there to give us a reason for Rico and Sam to now have to work together, to create more tension/drama in their relationship. Except for the next 40% of the book once they work together, Rico is just repeating himself over and over about how he doesn’t want to rush back into a physical relationship so they can see if they have something “real.” It’s honestly so exhausting and monotonous and I couldn’t tell who was more annoying- Rico for constantly assuming Sam isn’t serious about him so making him “prove” his seriousness by making him wait- or Sam for constantly pushing himself on Rico when he keeps saying no. Now comes the next frustrating part- these two NEVER communicate with each other. They are constantly just assuming the worst about each other all while insisting they can see a future with each other. If you can see a future, you need to be able to trust this person and stop fighting and refusing to speak to each other for weeks at a time. After their biggest fight and third act breakup there was 10% of the book left and I thought, is this a 2-part series. No. It isnt. They just rush to wrap up: Rico has kids he never told Sam about, Rico and Sam come out, Sam meets Rico’s kids. And it was so rushed, there was never even a point where they got to a satisfying sexual relationship (that Rico made Sam wait so long for). We never got to see them explore penetrative sex or MMF threesomes, which were both mentioned several times!! It just felt like half the book was missing and if it wasn’t, why on earth was so much time wasted on Rico’s internal struggle with rushing a sexual relationship? Time also didn’t need to be wasted on the corrupt company, Sam’s bad relationship with his dad, or Sam’s sick sister because NOTHING was resolved. The first 4 chapters or so are very hot but then do yourself a favor and walk away.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have gotten a four because the narrators are doing an absolutely fab job. They are awesome. However, it is a solid three I think. Instant attraction. It can happen. Between two straight men? Highly unlikely but fine, it’s fiction, I can roll with it. Both being Chippendales lookalikes? Yeah, stripper obv but does the business man also have to look like Adonis?

The story is ok albeit a bit shallow. There are interesting parts but they are just scratched on the surface. I want to know more about Sam’s family and esp father but we just hear that he is a douche and horrible but we never really see it. Same with Rico and his past. There’s a little more but a few paragraphs for something that’s affected his whole life is too little. Also, it’s way to late to address that late in the book. Idk, there’s more talk about how they are hooking up with another man despite them being straight and how they are not shy on having anal sex than there is talk about important stuff like... well important stuff that can fuck up their lives and their relationship.

The end then... it feels a little like the author ran out of inspiration or just got tired of the book. It literally ends with Sam saying “and now we have to tell my family.” Come on dude! There is an extremely important part in this book that should have been dealt with in a way better way. Rico has a secret that affects both his and Sam’s life in a huge way if they were to get together but the author decides to deal with that in like three short sentences in the epilogue. The effing epilogue. Yeah, whatever.

Anyway, it’s a pleasant book to listen to because it’s narrated so well by Benjamin York and Kale Williams. Huge kudos to those to dudes.

[Ashley GR · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has all the makings of a good read but it just fell short for me. I thought the whole birthday present thing was a bit much, two straight guys that just go with it when their friends set it up seems like a stretch but ok, I figure I’ll get on board with it. But then I found myself bored with the constant internal conversations the MCs had about each other post the first break up. For guys who seem to talk a lot to themselves they certainly don’t talk to each other. But fine. Dudes. I get it. But there was a lot that was talked about but not shown to the reader- like the two weeks before their “do over” where the author states that they doubled dated- what??!!! That sounds like something I’d like to actually see. Were there longing glances across the table as they tried to ignore it? I feel like that was just skimmed over. But then when they get the do over it seems like the first time they are together outside of work so that was super confusing. Everything unfolded and we finally learn why Rico doesn’t tell Sam about his kids but I guess I wish the reader knew sooner (don’t get me wrong it was implied) but with all the internal conversations it seems this would have been more flushed out. And then the actual meeting of the kids is again super skimmed over. We don’t even hear how Rico told Sam about his kids. Was it a surprise? Did he give Sam a warning? Was Sam surprised or how did he respond. Again why skim over this?? I don’t know. This book didn’t work for me. Is there a second coming? Or was that a cliffhanger ending? If so, there is definitely not a HEA to this book.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay Heat wise and Narration was off the charts!! Amazing Job on that! But the ending was very abrupt, and it left a bad taste afterwards. What’s the point in leaving unresolved plot points while adding like three others for conflict. You had enough. And Rico’s kids and wife point was very forced. Leading me to my next issue. This romance felt like it had ZERO DEVELOPMENT. Asking the same questions they asked 10 chapters ago over and over again. The kids and dead wife should have been brought up way before eighty percent. And then the physical fight ? Was that necessary. Honestly it feels like this author has never read or written m/m, it felt like a M/F.
Sam suddenly agreeing to do Harts photoshoot, when did he decide he was ready to come out completely. He hadn’t even told his father at the point in the story. In fact he never tells his father, it’s said he will do it right before the story ends.

-🤮🤢 Sam’s comments about Rico’s sisters. Specifically Poppy. Why write that he might he be charged with sleeping with her due to her age, but he won’t because he met brother first. That’s so weird to have one of your MC’s say.

- Rico introducing his kids to Sam is off page as well. Almost like the author got tired of writing and ended it.

- Speaking of Rico he annoyed way to much near the ending.

So yeah this book didn’t sit well with me at all. Not something I would recommend, and damn whoever recommended to me in our group.

Two stars. Two for the narrator. But the story. Yeah no…

[Mysti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well F* this on so many levels. First, no clue I was into m/m smut. I listened to the audio because of Sebastian York - iykyk - So I was on board the first half. It was really freaking hot. Lots of back & forth of why they're so scared, which made sense because it's the first m/m relationship for both of them. Then it becomes so frustrating! They just keep repeating the same issues and how they don't want to take their relationship to the next step of anal penetration because it'll make it "too real" and they don't want to get hurt, also Sam has a major issue of telling his dad about them and being afraid his dad will take the company away from him. Then the last 15% of the book, a secret of Ricos is revealed. They sort of break up and it's also revealed that Rico has another BIGGER secret, which they don't even approach until the last ONE MINUTE of the fic. It did not make a lick of sense because it's such a major deal that literally ALL of the other issues they had were inconsequential. Then they never get to the reveal of Sam finally telling his dad about him which was literally 1/2 the freaking story. Plus, they never get to the freaking penetration. Seriously what the actual F*. I was so pissed off. I was literally ready to give this at least 3 - 4 stars until the last 30 minutes of the book when I realized they weren't going to address anything!!! Damn I'm mad. And considering this is my first m/m fic to read, I'm even more pissed because did this author just ruin for me?!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dang. This book had So Much Potential!!!
Despite good smexy scenes, it really is truly the lack of luster of character development between the too and details that I might’ve yawned at, but what really got me was at the beginning, it’s both their birthdays and they practically get treated the same by their own friends and really Rico... out of the crowd of people look at you... you noticed Sam of all people eyeing you and he’s a perv? That had me eye rolling like crazy.
So after ignoring that ridiculous part(s), it wasn’t too bad.
Had a few problems in a couple areas where I was confident I was reading Sam’s POV but it was Rico and the other way around.
I really didn’t believe the ratings, so I went in very positive that the reviews were just bad (just for the sake of it), but it was sadly true.
I don’t believe this book should get 2 stars though, it’s really not that bad so it’d give this book a halfway rating, so I Give this book a 3 star rating out of 5.
I got this as an ARC for an Honest Review from NetGalley.
Would I read more from this author? Yes, i truly mean it, is give this Author another shot.

[Alysha King · Rating 2 out of 5]

**2.5**

I'm going with 2.5 for this one. I mean, the steamy bits were rightly steamy, and the chemistry was there, but the story around it was... huh?



First of all, Rico's kids were only brought up right at the end, as was his wife. Considering half of the narrative is from Rico's point of view, you would think something would have been said. Instead there's like 2 instances where he makes a vague reference, but that's about it.

Then there is Sam's dad who is apparently an ass but then he never comes into frame or create any real issues for the MCs except for some vague possible disappointment later on.

I would've liked to have seen more from the 2 younger sisters, who seemed really interesting but then... radio silence. Nothing.

And one last thing - Sam and Rico are constantly like 'never thought I'd feel this way about a bloke' (like, so many times) like they have to remind the reader that they always thought they were straight. Yes, have that revelation. No, you don't need to beat us over the head with it. I guess I was just expecting something a little extra here. Ah well.