Reviewed by Roberta

TITLE: Starstruck

SERIES: Bluewater Bay, Book 1

AUTHOR: L.A. Witt

PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing

LENGTH: 291 Pages

BLURB:

Hollywood is full of dirty secrets, but Carter refuses to be Levi’s.

Retired action star Levi Pritchard has made a quiet life for himself in the sleepy logging town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. But then Hollywood comes to film the wildly popular television series Wolf’s Landing, and Bluewater Bay isn’t so sleepy anymore. His retirement doesn’t stick, either, because he’s offered a part on the show—exactly the kind of complex role he’d always wanted, one that would prove him more than a glorified stuntman. The only catch? He has to stay in the closet—no matter how attractive he finds his co-star.

Carter Samuels is the critically-acclaimed male lead on Wolf’s Landing. And now, the man who inspired him to take up acting—and made him realize he’s gay—is joining the cast, and sparks fly between them instantly. But Carter is out and proud and determined to stay true to himself.

Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi’s disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them. Except their friendship deepens by the day, tempting them with what they can’t have but both desperately need.

REVIEW:

So, the first book in the Bluewater Bay series and it was a really sweet story.

Carter Samuels is young, hot actor in the series Wolf’s Landing.  Carter is an out and proud gay man who is living his life as open and honestly as he can.  Carter is a really a sweet young man who has ALWAYS had a crush on Levi and he’s excited to be able to have the chance to get to know him. Carter has always been open about his sexuality and he refuses to be anyone’s secret.  He deserves better.  Getting to know Levi and having so much in common with him is making his crush even worse.  Carter is such a great character.  He’s got so much heart and sweetness and lots of tenderness in him.

Levi Pritchard is an actor who needed to get the hell out of Hollywood.  He’d been type casted in the action hero role and wasn’t being offered the roles that he wanted again.  Those roles that would show his true ability to act.  Not just be the musclebound stereotypical action hero.  Levi is also a gay man who is so deeply in the closet, he refused to even see the door.  Levi has this horrible relationship with his parents as they are recovering alcoholics who are really conservative.  He is trying to reestablish a relationship with them and therefore, he won’t be honest with them. He’s also hiding because of the studio doesn’t want the rumors that the show is a “gay agenda” type show.  They want to have someone who will keep the women happy and the men watching.

There was a bit of sex in this story, however, it wasn’t overwhelming.  It was a really nice slow burn.  These two men took the time to get to know each other before moving into bed.  It took them to damn near the end of the book to get into bed and yet, you were along for the ride.  You got to watch them fall in love with each other and move those feelings from friendship to being more intimate.  I liked that they kissed and then moved back from there.  I liked that these two men took the time to really get to know each other.

These two men who each came from such different backgrounds and lives have the opportunity to find something so special and they moved there slowly but surely.  I really liked that they took their time.  I really liked that the got the chance to get to know each other before falling into bed together.  It made this such a really sweet, tender love story.  I just enjoyed each and every moment of this story. I liked that Levi had his two Maine Coone cats that were such a wonderful part of the story.  That they meant so much to him and that Carter loved his cats as well.

This was a great book in a new series and has you ready for the next installment.  LA Witt did such a great job with this book.  You meet and fall for Carter and Levi.  You watch them become friends and then finally lovers.  You watch them struggle with their feelings and with their own issues.  I liked how each man has to come into their own.  That they both have to grow up and realize their own truths.  Such a tender, loving and very sweet story.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Riptide Publishing

Amazon

Amazon.uk