Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews
M/M Contemporary Romance
Released: September 9, 2015
Self Published

Reviewed by Mandi

Rafael Castillo or Rafa, has spent the past eight years in the White House. The youngest of four kids, his father is almost done serving his two terms as president. Rafa’s parents are conservative Hispanic republicans, and Rafa has always tried to do his duty. Putting on a smile when needed and speaking at events now that he is in his early twenties. Rafa is gay, but no one but his best friend knows. He realized he was gay around the same time he moved into the White House. Not wanting to cause a scene with his parents and all eyes in the nation on him, Rafa decides it’s easier to stay in the closet. His best friend is a closeted lesbian, so they pretend to date each other to keep other questions at bay. His father supports the conservative view that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. This devastates Rafa, but he clings to the fact that his father doesn’t realize he is gay, and maybe things would be different if he did find out. Since Rafa is the youngest, most of his siblings have moved out and gone on with their lives. Rafa lives a secluded, boring life – making it super easy on the secret service to watch him, but a boring life indeed.

Shane is so excited to finally be on White House secret service duty. Nearing 40 years old, he has put in his time all over – and glad to be inside with the presidential family. Shane is out and gay, never been married or in a serious relationship. He takes his job very seriously and enjoys the guys he is paired up with on his new assignment – Valor. The code name for Rafa, Shane starts his job and familiarizes himself with the family and the home.

Rafa is a horny twenty-one year old. A virgin, he has never been kissed or had a boyfriend. His passion in life is cooking, and his big plans are to move to Australia after his father is done his term, go to cooking school and immerse himself in life. His parents don’t like that he cooks so he often sneaks into his small kitchen in the middle of the night to practice. Shane keeps an eye on him, and eventually finds himself sampling his dishes. Their relationship goes from a professional one to passing that boundary eventually, as Shane knows he shouldn’t act on the attraction, but he just can’t help himself.

I’m not sure how to feel about this book. At times I liked it. I liked Shane a lot – I love the look into his personal life before he meets Rafa. I like how he is written – 39 years old, content in life, no major drama. An all around good guy. I liked Rafa too – except – had the author not told me how old he was, I would have guessed 15 or 16. In reality, Rafa is 21 but to me, he comes across much younger. Pair that with a 39-year-old Shane, it made me say yikes! I love a big age difference but it didn’t work so well for me in this one. Rafa was so naive about everything and thrown in with a man twice his age – I don’t know. I could totally feel Rafa’s lust for Shane, but I never felt it the other way. Why did Shane fall for Rafa? I don’t think that question is ever answered for me.

There is also a dramatic moment in the book – I won’t go into details but this part felt like it was there to propel Rafa to admit to his family he is gay. It propelled him to be reckless and tell Shane his true feelings for  him. I wasn’t a fan of this dramatic moment. One – it felt really far-fetched. Two – something bad happens to a supporting character and I was not happy. This supporting character has a ton of horrible things in his life and I’m not a fan of how his story line plays out. Three – Shane and Rafa’s actions during this dramatic moment made me roll my eyes.

I love the premise of a secret service agent romance. But in this one, I needed Rafa to be older I think. And the side story with Shane’s co-worker (see number two above) – I was not a fan of.

Grade: C

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