Hold the Sky by AC Fox
M/M Romance
November 12, 2011
Etopia Press

Reviewed by Mandi

Harry is very nervous to be presenting his architect proposal to a big client. Having worked for SBC Architects for less than a year in Chicago, this is his first big presentation. Stopping to get coffee first, he runs into a very good looking man. Sexy enough that Harry doesn’t forget his face. So it shocks him, that after his presentation, the next man waiting to go into the room, is the very same  man from the coffee shop.

Garrett Reed is a big time architect, who owns his own firm. And he just so happens to land the contract that both he and Harry were fighting for. He can’t get Harry out of his mind so when Harry’s boss hints to Garrett that he might find him drinking his sorrows away at a local bar, Garrett heads that way. They are both attracted to each other, and Garret decides he is going to push for a date. Harry immediately assumes Garret is conceded and arrogant, and maybe Garret is a little bit, but they both have something to prove. Harry wants to prove to Garret that professionally, he is just as talented. And Garret wants to show Harry that he has a lot to offer him, besides charm and good looks.

Hold the Sky is the debut book by author A.C. Fox. Overall, I like this one. It surprised me. When I first met Garret, I wasn’t sure (just like Harry) that I would like him. He is the rich, suave, always in control man. Harry on the other hand is the underdog, and much easier to root for in the beginning. Harry has more of the self-deprecating humor that I always like in characters. However, the author makes Garret work hard to earn respect, and I definitely came around. Garret becomes the one that must woo and court Harry. They go on dates, and they slowly get to know each other. He knows Harry is interested, he just needs to get Harry over that awkward feeling of dating someone who professionally he wants to beat with all his might. I think this author does a nice job with putting in small, more intimate moments between these two that build up their romance well.

There are a few things that didn’t work so well for me. Or at least one thing – towards the end, Harry does something that really seemed out of character for him. It almost felt like it was too forced, just to make a big conflict between Harry and Garret so they could then make up a the very end. Or maybe it was just that this conflict needed more built-up or have time to unfold. Instead, Harry makes a rash decision, things blow up with Garret, and it felt like it came out of nowhere. I think a little more time spent on Harry’s goal of besting Garret in architecture would have made it a little more believable to me.

I like AC Fox’s voice though and happy to have read her debut book. I’ll look for more from her.

Rating: B-

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