Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Pretend
SERIES: Blackcreek #3
AUTHOR: Riley Hart
PUBLISHER: Self Pub
LENGTH: 201 pages
BLURB:
Mason Alexander thought all he wanted in life was something to call his own—something without the family name attached. He got that when he bought his bar in Blackcreek…but then a hard truth opens his eyes that he’s been lied to his whole life, and he’s tangled amid the family that loves him, a truth that haunts him, and torn between the life he wants for himself and the obligation he feels for his family.
Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.
Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.
REVIEW:
One of the many things I love about Riley Hart is the fact that she writes angsty inner battles so incredibly well. And she does not disappoint with book 3 of the Blackcreek series, Pretend. I love this series so much because Blackcreek is just an ordinary town but it’s full of these rich, thought-out characters. I’ve truly enjoyed every book so far in this series.
Mason Alexander comes from money and a wealthy family but he doesn’t want anyone to know that. He left his hometown and his family business a few months ago because he finds out he’s adopted. He’s believed his whole life that he was his parent’s biological kid. Learning that he’s adopted so late in life has led him to feel betrayed and lied to. Not knowing how to deal with these feeling his only recourse is to escape and start over. He finds himself in Blackcreek where he opens up his bar, Creekside. Mason does well for himself in Blackcreek but he battles with feeling like he’s letting his family down.
Gavin Davis loves music. He loves music so much he’s made teaching music his career. Coming from a strict Christian family he’s constantly had to battle his parents due to his sexuality. Unfortunately being a music teacher at a Christian school leads to trouble for Gavin and instead of dealing with the repercussions he chooses to walk away from the conflict and his job. Gavin finds himself in Blackcreek to attend his best friend’s wedding, jobless and homeless he decides to stay and take a job at the local bar, Creekside.
I loved the sweet flirting between, Gavin and Mason. I couldn’t help but smile to myself during those initial interactions. The buildup wasn’t super slow or super fast…it felt like a real relationship. I loved Mason’s bossy bottom attitude. I loved how Gavin would try not to get jealous but it always won out in the end. I loved how Gavin and Mason really communicated with each other. Their relationship made my heart sing.
Pretend wasn’t my favorite in the series but I still completely enjoyed it and would definitely recommend!!!
RATING: 
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