Released: March 15, 2016
M/M Contemporary Romance
Intermix
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “You are the cutest ginger on the seven seas.”
I love this series by Megan Erickson, featuring road trip romance. This time, we leave the car at the dock and go cruising. J.R has been part of a reality show for the past year, traveling around the world with his cast mates.
Trip League was a reality show in its third season. The cast was billed as regular people picked to travel to exotic locales while being filmed. The cruise ship was this season’s big send-off, a party before the next cast would be chosen.
The final stop is a spring break cruise, and J.R is about ready to be done with cameras capturing his every move. J.R. wants to be an actor, and his agent pushed him to take this reality gig, as a straight man. As a black man, and also bi-sexual, his agent thinks he won’t get any roles so he has signed the contract that he will play straight. The reality show has cast him as the “angry black man” and that doesn’t portray J.R. at all. While at first he didn’t think he would mind, having a fake girlfriend back at home and not being able to act on any attractions to men has taken its toll. J.R. has a sick brother back at home and the money from acting could really help pay for his treatments – so J.R. has resigned himself to play straight.
Quinn is white, awkward, shy and gay and in his final year of college. He grew up with over-protective parents who would prefer he stay in their safe bubble. He worries about everything and is high-strung. His best friend Jess accompanies him on this spring break cruise and Quinn is cautiously excited. He gets to drink and eat for a week – and he will make sure his red hair and freckles are well protected from the sun. Quinn and Jess know the reality stars are going to be on the cruise. Watching them on TV, Quinn is obsessively in lust with J.R. but knows he is straight. That doesn’t stop him from drooling over him when he sees him in person. Since they are on a boat, they are bound to run into each other, which they do. J.R. has an immediate attraction to Quinn, but again, can’t act on it due to his contract. But when they start to hang out, and become friends, J.R. can’t keep his attraction hidden any longer.
I don’t think this book is quite as emotionally angsty as the first two in this series, but it is just as engaging. I love that Quinn has led this protective life, but get a beer into him, and he is ready to spread his wings. Don’t we all love a little liquid courage? He wants to get out from under his parents shadow, but it’s hard. Jess is a good friend though – supportive, not forcing him to do things he isn’t ready for, but there to be his cheerleader when he makes a big decision. A;though he is a bit shy, he holds his ground pretty well with J.R.
J.R. has such a big heart. In a way, it’s J.R that has discovered himself more over the past year than Quinn. J.R. was only briefly out until he signed the contract to play straight. But now that he is locked in, he knows this is not the life he wants. His honesty with Quinn is endearing.
They also have really hot make-out sessions and sex. Duh.
As I said in a previous review of this series, I love a road trip romance. Throw them on a boat and it’s just as good.
For those that have read this, Levi’s (fellow reality cast mate) book is next. He meets a man name named Thad while hiking the Appalachian trail. Give it to me now.
Grade: B
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