Reviewed by Vicki
TITLE: Valor on the Move
AUTHOR: Keira Andrews
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 250 pages
BLURB:
He’d give his life to protect the president’s son. But he never expected to risk his heart.
Growing up gay in the White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college. His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his dream of being a chef.
It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.
Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.
But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line?
REVIEW:
OH YES!!! This book has several of my favorite things….
Inappropriate age difference, younger virgin with an older man, the tension of resistance and a forbidden relationship, political drama, dirty talking, virgin sex, family issues, and a happy ending. Add in it’s written by one of my favorite authors and I was hooked from the first moment.
Rafael (Rafa) Castillo, fourth child of a republican president, inappropriately code-named Valor, is young, shy, and hiding very far in the closet. He has dreams of escaping his life under the microscope and going to culinary school in Australia, getting as far away from his family as possible. He has a “girlfriend” who is also gay and waiting to come out to her family as well. Both are waiting to finish college and for the Castillo family to move out of the White House, then will break up, and head off to lead their own lives. Rafa has some issues, his family doesn’t know he’s gay, his parents are very conservative, he’s very concerned with what “other” people say and think about him, he’s lonely, he’s lost, shy and horny.
Shane Kendrick is moving his way up through the ranks of the Secret Service, and has just arrived in DC to start as one of the agents protecting Valor, the youngest child of the First Family. He’s paired back up with his old partner, and is hoping to be on the presidential detail at some point. He also has some issues, his parents died in a fire and he’s holding some guilt over that. He’s a big fan of one night stands, fuck buddies, and no commitments. He’s not expecting much excitement being stuck watching the mousey, quiet, shy Rafael, but it’s a step in the right direction for his career.
Shane is on the night shift one evening, with the First Family all gone except Rafael, nothing much is happening until he hears a crash from the private quarters of White House, and races up to see what’s happening. He’s surprised to find Rafael cooking in a small kitchen, covered in tomatoes, and pissed off! They banter, then chat for a bit. This is the beginning of an inappropriate friendship, between the 21 year old Rafa, and the 40 year old Shane. There is not supposed to be any contact between the agents and their protectee, and Rafa certainly shouldn’t be lusting after his protector. but come on… who wouldn’t lust after Shane?
So what comes next is a great story, full of teenage angst, family drama, action, and a bit of suspense. Rafa may be 21, but he’s very sheltered and young. Hiss parents are controlling, he’s in the midst of a crisis, does he come out? Does he continue to hide? He’s so close to the end of colleger and the White House years, can he just hang on a little longer? He needs a role model so bad and when he finds out Shane is gay, he seems like the perfect friend. Rafa is lonely and Shane is nice, Rafa is horny and Shane is hot. The parent in me wanted to say “No! This is not ok!” But the romantic in me said “Awww…. Let them be together!” A dramatic bad thing happens and they are alone when they shouldn’t be and a bit of touching happens, pointing out just how young and inexperienced Rafa really is. And how sweet and caring Shane is. After the bad thing happens there is a time gap, then a fantastic ending. I liked that gap being there, it was very appropriate for the story. I am trying so hard not to give anything away! I should just stop now.
Yah, this book is great. I liked the age difference, but some people won’t. I think if Rafa had been more mature it wouldn’t have been as big of an issue, but he’s really not. And Shane is very clearly an experienced man. I was ok with it, but I can see it being an issue for some people. I could talk about Rafa making bad decisions, he should have stood up for himself, come out sooner, not been an idiot, not done what he did, but then we wouldn’t have this story! I’d love to see what happens with these two next, where does this story go? Do they stay together? Does it work? Does Rafa get his dream? We can only assume it’s all good for them.
Keira Andrews is a fantastic author, I loved the characters, the drama, the story, the ending and the sex. Damn, the sex. There’s not a lot of sex in this book, but the couple of scenes we get work very well. Just what I like, a virgin ass and an experienced dick. Shane has a dirty mouth and knows how to use it just right. Even Rafa got in a bit of dirty talking! I loved his blend of shy and sexy.
I loved this book! If you can handle the age gap, get it. The plot is quick and interesting, the characters are well fleshed out, the sex is smoking hot, and the ending is perfect. Just go for it!
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