Reviewed by Vicki
TITLE: The Gift
SERIES: Las Vegas Escorts #2
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 225 pages
BLURB:
Sequel to The Price
Las Vegas Escorts: Book Two
Ember is a drop-dead gorgeous Las Vegas escort. He notices Alejandro in some of the classes he teaches at his side business—a yoga studio. Then, color-blind Alejandro further captures Ember’s attention when he’s momentarily blinded by a quick change in light and needs Ember’s help at a club. What Ember doesn’t expect is the way Alejandro touches his heart.
Alejandro never intended to develop feelings for Ember. He’s in Las Vegas for a year to sow some wild oats. But Alejandro quickly sees more in Ember when he sets out to make some of Alejandro’s dreams come true—including a trip to the Grand Canyon and the beaches of LA. Alejandro’s wild oats could turn into something memorable.
Ember knows keeping his escort job from Alejandro isn’t the right thing to do, but he wants to be liked for who he is. Alejandro keeps his own secrets for the same reason. But Alejandro’s family obligations, along with Ember’s profession, could make it impossible for the two of them to stay together—unless they can figure out how to make the most of the gifts they’ve been given.
REVIEW:
Las Vegas escort and yoga studio owner Ember, is a very sweet and kind man. We see him at his best early in the book, as he handles a very shy client, spending time talking to the man, not just hopping in bed with him. We also see him spend time with Jimmy, a boy from the reservation Ember grew up on, that Ember has taken under his wing. So we know Ember is a good man. Then he meets Alejandro at his yoga studio and there is a spark of interest. The two run in to each other twice in a night, like Fate has decided they should get to know each other. They give in and go on a couple of dates.
But each man has a secret. Ember wants to just have a couple of nice dates, without his job becoming an issue. Alejandro wants companionship for himself, not because of who he is. Of course secrets never remain secrets and it all comes tumbling out in a couple of dramatic scenes. However, this is a romance novel, and it is written by Andrew Grey so…..
This story is a fairy tale, or a movie plot, but it works very well. It just walks the line between sweet and romantic, and cheesy and fluffy. It’s not a perfect story, the two have issues that appear insurmountable. Alejandro must go home and live his life, potentially getting married and having babies. Ember won’t be his piece on the side. Alejandro is slightly spoiled and Ember is stubborn. Either could give in to the other but they don’t. How can an escort and a prince possibly be together? You’ll have to read it!
This book had a good balance for me, it was romantic and light. It is a fairy tale, but there was enough drama to keep me interested. There isn’t an immediate solution or answer to their situation. Ember isn’t rescued or saved from a life he hates. Alejandro may be a prince, but he isn’t perfect, he’s not a knight in shining armor. I liked the moments of anger we see from Alejandro, it shows he is the spoiled prince, but he also knows his duty. Ember is equally aware of his duty to himself and wants to hold firm. I liked the additional characters, and how they affected the story and relationship between Alejandro and Ember. I loved the ending as well. I wish we had seen a bit more of their new life, especially the issues I’m sure would have come up. That’s my only complaint, the ending felt rushed and could have had some additional moments of showing the reality of Ember’s new life. But other than that it was a perfect example of a great Andrew Grey book!
RATING: 
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