In and Out by L.B. Gregg (Men of Smithfield #4)
M/M Romance
May 14, 2010
E-Book
Aspen Mountain Press

Why I read: L.B. Gregg is a favorite author of mine.

Favorite Quote: Gin bit my tongue. Five o’clock, my taste buds screamed, yippee ki yay!

Holden Worthington is a big star living in the small town of Smithfield. A big star that never leaves his home. Years ago he was on television hosting a show for the Discovery Channel and traveling the world with his partner in love and business, John. Now John is in the past, and for the last two years, he hasn’t stepped out of his home, literally. He is inflicted with the disorder, agoraphobia and has severe panic attacks when he goes outside. Now he spends his days writing travel cookbooks and dabbles in pornographic books, which makes him tons of money but earns him many frowns from local towns people.

While in his sun room one day, drooling over his new gardener, Adam Morgan, a discovery is made. While Adam turns over the compost pile, he discovers a body..a very dead, beaten, bruised body. When the identity is found to be someone related to Holden’s past, suspicions immediately go on alert – Holden hasn’t left his house in years, but would he have hired someone to do his dirty work? Fingers also point to Adam, who was involved in a vehicular manslaughter in the past. Or does it involve Holden’s alcoholic brother, or John, a past lover?

As Holden tries to deal with massive media attention again, his attention is all focused on his twenty-four year old virginal gardener. They kind of form a bond and trust after Adam discovery of the body. It’s lust at first sight.

In and Out I think is my favorite of L.B. Gregg’s Men of Smithfield series. I had heard from others it takes on a bit more of a serious tone. I agree in the sense the characters have a murder to deal with and Holden’s condition is no laughing matter. But, Holden himself lets that classic LB Gregg humor shine through. Told in his point of view, his sarcastic, self deprecating humor lightens up the book to where I was laughing throughout. Holden, forty years old, knows he is a total pervert as he can’t keep his eyes off his young employee – but he doesn’t care. I love that about him. He wants the dirty sex with they young virgin, and once Adam is clued in that Holden is gay, Adam is all for it too. Their relationship turns romantic quick – and Holden gladly shows Adam the ropes in the bedroom.

I think LB Gregg does a great job with the mystery aspect in this one, devoting many pages to all the suspects and building up the conflict and potential suspects throughout the book. Police officer Tony, from her first book Gobsmacked makes an appearance, and it is fun to revisit his character.

In and Out is an overall solid story with a very endearing characters. I love the Smithfield boys.

Rating: 4/5

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