Dante

Love at the Haven #1

by Stella Shaw

Everyone deserves a second chance – both in life and love.

An introductory novella to the Love at the Haven series of novels

Dante's been fooled in love before, and his career is dead in the water – he’s determined he won’t be betrayed again. In between part-time jobs, he’s been tricking at the Haven, a run-down London hotel, and rebuilding his independence. But on a particularly cold winter’s evening, a disaster in Room Four nearly finishes him off for good. Will he and his new friends lose the shelter they’ve come to rely on?

When they meet the hotel’s new owner, Rick, they don’t expect him to accept the rent boys who’ve been using the hotel’s hospitality, however respectful they’ve been. But while negotiations are in progress to renovate the Haven, Dante meet Rick’s friend Blake. Neither of them can ignore the sudden, fierce spark of attraction between them.

Blake is successful, rich, and totally committed to honesty. And, apparently, just as determined in having a relationship with Dante. As they explore the physical fascination between them, they can’t help developing the emotional bond too.

But if Dante confesses his past to Blake, will that be the end of everything? Or will their time at the Haven provide the comfort and understanding that both men have been seeking?

An introductory novella to the Love at the Haven series. Each novel is a standalone romance and HEA, but the characters may make brief appearances in other books. And watch out for additional fun short stories in the series!

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, Novella, LGBT, Fiction, Christmas

87 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Stella Shaw is a pen name of the best-selling author of MM romance, Clare London. Stella's series of Rent Boy romances, Love at the Haven, launched in January 2021.

Join Stella's newsletter at http://bit.ly/stellashawNews or find her on Facebook at StellaShawAuthor.

Reviews

[Ed Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just didn’t work for me. I didn’t really care for Dante and everything felt rushed. I never felt any connection between Dante and Blake. In fact, I had to go back and look up Blake’s name. I don’t plan to read any more books in this series.

[Penumbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dante is the first book in the ‘Love at the Haven’ series. It stars Dante, one of the rent boys, and Blake, an accountant. The story is told in first person from Dante’s pov, until the last chapter, which is told from Blake’s pov.



First the cover. I’ve seen all the covers and they all tie in well together, with a single man on a bed with a pink and white cast over the image.

The blurb does a good job of explaining the plots premise, although Dante’s fear of telling Blake about his past is over exaggerated. He didn’t do anything that makes him a bad person. Here’s a quick summary. Blake uses the Haven Hotel, along with other rent boys, for his liaisons. Auntie Pop used to own and run the hotel, but one day a man named Rick appears, along with his friend Blake, and tells everyone that Auntie Pop has passed away and he’s the new owner. Rick is going to try and repair the hotel, but it is in bad shape and isn’t bringing in any money other than the rooms the rent boys pay to use. He’s okay with the rent boys continuing to use the hotel. Saving the hotel is part of the plot but runs in the background to the romance between Blake and Dante.

As soon as Blake arrives at the hotel, he spots Dante and can’t keep his eyes off him. Dante is also attracted and knows he could pull in Blake any time he wanted. This is where we get the first indication that Dante may be hiding behind his rent boy image and he has deeper issues. Blake and Dante talk that first night, then Blake leaves and Dante longs for him to return, which he does. Blake then pays for Dante’s services. Dante thinks he can remain in control of the encounter, but Blake has a way of breaking down Dante’s defenses and each meetup between them breaks Dante’s walls down further.

Most of the book is told through Dante’s pov. Only the epilogue is told through Blake’s. When I first started reading Dante’s pov, I thought he was in his mid-forties, he sounded old. His internal voice was monotone, there wasn’t much inflection so I couldn’t get a feel for who he was. When Dante interacted with the other characters, the other characters had personalities, not this flatness that Dante’s voice had. I thought it must be due to his tight control of himself because of his troubled past, but when Blake speaks at the end, his voice is the same as Dante’s. The only good thing was that through Blake’s pov, Dante did sound and act younger in his twenties. What I don’t understand, is why the author had two characters with three different voices? Dante’s internal monologue should’ve had the same speech pattern or voice as the one when he was speaking or when viewed through Blake’s eyes, and it wasn’t. I didn’t like the inconsistency or Dante’s bland voice.

I also had another issue with the pov. When in Dante’s head, the view was close in to his feelings, sometimes to the point it sounded like he was breaking the fourth wall. It was an odd feeling. But when the scenes switched to Dante’s involvement with the other characters, the view switched to a farther view that bordered on impersonal. The continued swinging back and forth between close versus far view was disorienting. I felt like I was on a pendulum and it wasn’t pleasant. With the combination of Dante’s voice and the unusual shifts in pov, I didn’t like how the characters spoke in this story and I didn’t get a good feel for who Dante was or what his feelings were. He seemed blank until he yelled out why he was the way he was at everyone. I want to connect to characters in a book, and I couldn’t in this one.

Overall, the plot for Dante is interesting and there are many other rent boys whose stories can continue the series. I didn’t care for Dante’s voice which created an overall bland personality, and the wide swings in Dante’s pov were uncomfortable to read. The editing seemed well done and I didn’t notice any glaring grammar errors. I give this book. 3 Stars.



I received an ARC copy of this book from the author. I am giving my honest and unbiased opinion.

[R.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sexiest sweetest thing I’ve read in ages

Such a unique setup for the romance in this book. Rent boys. An old hotel. Would love to see more of this couple and their lives.

[Amanda]

Free on prolific works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/6...

[RedsBookReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is a short story that gives the introduction to The Haven and some of the characters as well. I am looking forward to book two to find out more about Rick and the others at The Haven.

[Sharing The Book Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short sweet read with such a unusual set up. The concept of a hotel for sex workers is kinda cool, knowing their safe and loved after.


Would have loved Dante and Blake's story to be an extended version but this was a good quick read.

[Maggie May · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think the description fits the story very well. I expected Dante to keep a secret, a lie of omission, and for that to be a problem for Blake. That’s not the case at all. Dante has a hang up due to a past experience. Blake never feels lied to. Which begs the question, why was Blake’s desire for honesty made out to be a big thing? It’s never actually relevant and it’s hardly an uncommon request.

Anyway, beyond that, the story was decent, if clunky sometimes. We spend far more time in Dante’s head than with Dante and Blake together and I am not sure when we are supposed to have seen them falling for each other. Not bad but not enticing me to read more of the series.

[Dani Elle Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

love me a good rentboy story!
cannot wait for Rick!

[Wren Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to a series I look forward to reading

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't for me.

[A Damach · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it!

I liked Blake and Dante's story. Dante almost let his bad past experiences keep him from his happily ever after, but thanks to Arne and Rick, he was shown the error of his thinking and was able to get his happily ever after with Blake.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Alys Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series, I am new to this author, but lockdown meant that I was searching for something new having exhausted my TBR list.
The MC's are likeable - as are the supporting characters, and am looking forward to hear more about their back stories later in the series. It's a comfortable story - it draws you in and you start to feel something for the characters and their trials and tribulations. I don't want to spoil this for anyone so no details.
Well worth a read.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I'd paid for this I'd probably have finished it, but it's KU, and this hasn't been working for me for basically the entire time I've been reading it. Partially that's me and partially the book just isn't that good. There are just too many things that don't ring true and I don't like the characters enough to keep forcing myself to keep reading.
Giving in at 54% and the third star is because I didn't finish it.

[Sophia Soames · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and promising start to this new series from Stella Shaw, Dante drew me in from the very first page. Set against an interesting backdrop, with fun and quirky side characters, this was a fun read with a pinch of angst, plenty of heat and passion and a very satisfying HEA.

[Lena Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante, of ‘Dante: Love at the Haven’ by Stella Shaw, has lost his faith in humanity. After trusting someone he should not have believed in, he has ended up at what seems like a dead-end in his future. When the owner dies, Rick, her nephew, takes over. Not only does he accept the guys there, but he also brings his best friend with him. A big, burly Scotsman named Blake. The sudden but clear attraction takes both men by surprise, causing Dante to question the bleakness of his future.

Rick surprises everyone by not throwing them all out but actually thanking them for keeping the place running, albeit it minimally. He invites them to stay. In gratitude, they do what they can to help with repairs and renovations, Dante included. Dante works part-time jobs, ones that are obviously below his knowledge level. He is so disillusioned about what happened to his job in the past that he is not eager to get more involved than that even when a coworker offers to put in a good word for him. Yet, he is willing to help Rick with the financing that it is going to take to improve things at the Haven. Dante sits down with Rick and Bake to formulate a business plan to present to the bank to obtain a loan.

Meeting Blake and feeling their mutual attraction throws Dante into a predicament. He has sworn never to get involved with anyone other than for sex ever again after the massive betrayal that took place in his last job, but he is certain that anything that may happen with Blake will be so much more than that. They dance around each other, even have sex, but even when Blake makes it clear that he wants a relationship with Dante, Dante’s fear of commitment threatens to destroy any chances he may have for happiness.

Wow! This the first book I’ve ever read by Stella Shaw but it won’t be the last! It is awesomely HOT! For a short story, it packs a heavy punch in every way. Thanks, Stella! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the men at the Haven and look forward to getting to know more of them.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

With such a short story there wasn't much time to develop a complex plot or convoluted characters. I appreciated that the conflicts were kept simple and didn't change throughout the story. While the last minute hesitations came from an understandable place, the resolution was quick and a little too uncomplicated. I enjoyed the story alright, but would have loved it to be at least 20-50 pages longer to give a better resolution before the epilogue and to get more of Blake.

The chemistry was kind of there, mostly being read as there because we were expected to expect it rather than in the way it was written. I feel that was more because we didn't get to know Blake hardly at all and aside from some steamy moments in The Haven, they didn't have much of anything to build on at all.

Getting Dante's POV until the epilogue made sense because he was the one needing to evolve and accept the hope and love in the circumstances, in the person offering them. I was very glad the epilogue was in Blakes POV though because we really needed it to make their relationship and the life changes on Dante's part even remotely believable.

Overall this was a good story and a good introduction to The Haven and all the men we'll get to know and root for throughout the series.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute start to a series. A bunch of guys have been turning tricks in an old hotel in London and the owner has been hospitalized. Dante works temp office jobs and tricks on the side. The night the place starts to fall down around their ears, literally, the owner's nephew shows up and tells them that his aunt died and he's taking over. But when he hears what's been going on, he doesn't kick them out but agrees to a similar arrangement and they help him fix up the hotel. The first night Dante meets the new owner's friend, Blake. They are instantly attracted but Dante's been burned by a slick businessman before. They have a few hook-ups where Blake pays for his time, and eventually he has to return to Edinburgh to the family business and invites Dante who initially refuses.

It's cute and not a lot of angst, I liked the idea of the new owner not clutching his pearls at the idea that rent boys are using his premises and that everyone works together to make it work and fix it up. So a fun quick read with feel good vibes and some hot sex.

[Heather Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I enjoyed this novella that kicks off Stella Shaw’s rent boy series, Love at the Haven. I love the premise, and all the characters were all lovely and intriguing.

All these men were brought together by the Haven Hotel, a safe place for them to entertain their clients, that they’ve trying to keep standing since the owner went to hospital.

We kick off with Dante, and young man who’s making ends meet between tricking and temp work after an Ex through a wrench into his career plans.

When the new owner comes by with his friend, a sexy businessman, there’s no denying the interest on both sides. Dante is apprehensive of taking things further than sex, but the more they get to know each other, the harder it is to deny.

It’s a lovely story, with a sweet ending, and I’m looking forward to meeting the other men of Haven.

[Brianne McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a freebie on Prolific Works at one point. I was given a free arc copy from the author for review and I'm not sure if it is the same version or if it changed since then.

This was a super short read (1.5 hours). Dante is using an abandoned old house/hotel along with some others as they work as rent boys. Just when a storm rips down the roof and they think they will be out of work and for some shelter, in comes two men. One is Rick who is the new owner and the other is Blake an accountant along to support his friend. Dante has a background in accounting and forms a instant bond with Blake.

This was a sweet read with some sexy. All the characters were great and the plot was interesting. It has very brief and mild relationship angst and lovely HFN or implied HEA ending. Looking forward to the series where I'm hoping there will be updates on the couple seeing the other books are same world but different couples within the same group.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante: Love at the Haven by author Stella Shaw is the first book in this series. I love how Ms. Shaw brings such emotion to this story. This story heavily relies on relationships and side characters too, which I personally love. So many layers to this seemingly straightforward story.

Dante, he has not had the best track record with love. He never wants to risk his heart again because of it. His career is not fairing any better. He pretty much is rebuilding from the ground up.

I liked his bravery. It takes guts to start over and to find yourself again.

Blake he the best friend of Rick (the owner of the hotel) he is a big burly Scotsman. He is rich and honest. He is kinda the perfect guy. He is loyal, strong, and has a beautiful soul.

Overall, this is a great introduction to the series. I cannot wait to read more in the future.

Five Shooting Stars

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just binged all four books in this series so far and I'm completely hooked. Stella has created a series about rent boys working out of a rundown London hotel and made all the characters sympathetic and real. Each book is better than the last.
Dante's story is a short introduction to the Haven Hotel and the young men who run an escort business there. None of ​the rent boys who work at the Haven are ashamed of their job but they don't think a real relationship is on the cards for them.
Upon meeting Blake, Dante is immediately taken with Blake and the feeling is mutual, but Dante has been badly betrayed in the past and doesn't want to let anyone in. Blake is a good man and not easily deterred from his goal of making Dante his.
The story is sweet and sexy and told from Dante's POV, which fitted well in this case, but I was very pleased that the epilogue was Blake's because we needed to hear from him too to make the love story real.

[Risa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gelungener Serienstart

Das Haven ist ein altes Hotel, daher bricht das marode Dach in einer Winternacht unter der Schneelast teilweise ein. Früher war es ein ganz normales Hotel, heute ist es nur noch Treffpunkt für allein stehende Männer, die einen Escort suchen.

Dante ist einer dieser Escorts, der mit fünf Anderen Zimmer für den Abend mietet, um Kunden zu unterhalten. Er genießt seinen Job und verdient gutes Geld. Im Rest seines Lebens sieht es nicht so rosig aus. Er hat nur Teilzeitjobs, die nicht reichen, um davon zu leben.

Zufällig erscheint in der Nacht des Schneechaos der Erbe des Hotels, Rick mit seinem Freund Blake. Wie sich herausstellt, hat Rick kein Problem damit, an Escorts zu vermieten. Da das Hotel renovierungsbedürftig ist, helfen alle mit bei der Restaurierung. Dabei kommen sich Dante und Blake näher als gedacht. Ich bin schon gespannt auf die Übersetzung der nächsten Bände.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
I have enjoyed this story. I found a few inconsistencies with the timeline at the beginning of the story, that put me in the wrong foot going forward Like, the accident with the roof must have happened at least in October/November, but it was already heavily snowing in London?... And then they fixed the whole place in a matter of days/weeks. And Dante was back tricking by thee first week of December. I know they are very small inconsequential things in the big scheme of things, but it affected how I continued reading.
I did like the telephone conversation, though, when Blake tells Dante to fuck off... It felt really real, as did a lot of their conversations. Dante is guarded and doesn't want to let the walls around his heart to fall down, but it inevitably happens (even if it's all after only being together twice)

[Siobhan Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet and very unique. A teaser of a story to introduce us to the Haven Hotel and all its quirky inhabitants. Dante, I thought would match with someone completely different but he worked his charm on his intended and after a slight but if drama and nosy but helpful friends found himself at a bit of a crossroads. Laced with steam and happiness, you will fall in love with the men of Haven Hotel.Short but sweet and very unique. A teaser of a story to introduce us to the Haven Hotel and all its quirky inhabitants. Dante, I thought would match with someone completely different but he worked his charm on his intended and after a slight but if drama and nosy but helpful friends found himself at a bit of a crossroads. Laced with steam and happiness, you will fall in love with the men of Haven Hotel.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante is one of the rent boys that use the Haven as a place of business. Its safe and dry(well the majority of the time) especially as this story is told over the winter months. When the owner of the hotel passes, in walks Rick who has inherited the hotel and to give moral support his best friend Blake.
Told from Dante's POV for the majority of the book, the story follows him in his day to day life, trying to earn enough money to live. The attraction between him and Blake is instant, but Dante has enough walls up so it is not rushed. When they are together their connection is passionate.
This is low angst and a good introduction to the characters of the Haven hotel. With more of the characters stories released I will carry on with this series

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve ready by this author and I’m so glad I found her as I really enjoyed Dante’s story. This is the first book in a series and Stella did a great job of setting the scene and introducing us to all the interesting main characters while telling the story of Dante and Blake. Dante is a ‘rent boy’ at the old run down Haven Hotel and it’s here he meets Blake, a friend of the new owner. They both have some baggage but can’t deny they have a lot of chemistry drawing them together. This is a sweet, low angst read that gave all the feels and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Amy Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet short story and great start to a new series. It was well written with an array of characters, each well developed with unique personalities and stories. It was easy to like them and enjoy the time spent with them, no matter the length. I’m looking forward to future books in the story, with hopes to learn more.

This book was Dante’s story. My heart ached for him upon hearing his story. I liked how Blake saw more to him than the fact he was an escort. He saw into his soul, and it came across in their interactions. Their connection was heartfelt, and really quite sweet.

***I received a copy of this book for my reading pleasure. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

[Mac-Daddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. It was just way too rushed. It really could have been good if some more characterization and tension build up of any kind happened. Dante and Blake spoke like 5 words to each other, and then he just appeared again and it was assumed he was there for Dante. It didn’t make much sense. If I’d seen some more interaction or even if there had been some internal monologue showing me that Blake was even on Dante’s mind, it would have made more sense.

The writing style is very good, and I see a lot of potential with this writer, it just needed a lot more meat to make it believable and convincing romance.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

**First Time Reader** This book one in the Love at the Haven series was a good start. We get to know the rent boys up close and personal. Starting off with Dante. His personal story is a little sad. Once he meets Blake, things begin to look up for him. Dante and Blake really connected and I was cheering them on. They had a few obstacles to overcome but overall it turned out wonderful for both. I'm glad I gave this a shot and now I can't wait to read Rick's story.

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.