Reviewed by Amber

TITLE: Ivan vs. Ivan

SERIES: The Teddy Bear Collection #3

AUTHOR: Princess S.O.

PUBLISHER: Self Pub

LENGTH: 180 pages

BLURB:

Out here in the North Sea love usually passes a man by like a ship in the night. So it’s a nice surprise when the captain of the ship hired to transport Ivan’s platform rig into port for the winter might actually offer some unexpected non-business type amenities as well.

Ivan Voloshyn owns and operates the Marianna Shoal, a deep sea oil rig. It’s hard work and long days out in harsh weather. And he loves it that way. Because that’s what he knows. Seabeds— rigs— oil— and bad weather. He’s also about to find out the Norse Gods have a sense of humor. For who should it be to come riding in on the Sea Dock Heavy Lift ship? Another Ivan.

Captain Ivan Blažević knows who he is and what he wants. Problem is, he also knows he can’t have it. Just because the rest of the world is coming out of the closet doesn’t mean every gay man can or should. Out here on the seas the weather can change in an instant. He needs to trust his crew to do their job, and their hostility towards gays would get in the way of that if he was ever found out.

Ivan-the rig-owner’s very presence threatens Blažević’s closet doors, nevertheless it’s hard to turn that away, because he wants him to keep doing so.

Out here, the North Sea can change a man’s life— but hatred can take it away.

REVIEW:

I enjoyed the last two books in The Teddy Bear Collection and I am happy to say that Ivan vs. Ivan was also pretty stankin’ good. I loved the dynamic between these two characters. They were so alike and yet fundamentally different in the way they lived their lives. And while the differences between them were great they fit together incredibly well. Oh and I should mention how unbelievably hot they are together too. Hot damn!!!!

Ivan #1(their cute little nicknames in the story) is the owner and chief engineer of a profitable oil rig. Comfortably out of the closet he sees no reason to hide who he is. Ivan #2, Captain of the Sea Dock a ship hired to move Ivan #1’s rig is Russian and in his world his only option is to stay in the closet. It’s undeniable however that there is a huge attraction between these two men.

They embark on a tumultuous yet passionate coupling. Ivan #2 allows himself to experience things with Ivan #1 that he’s denied himself for years. They’re happy for a time but life and responsibility put an end to their bliss.

Back at sea they find themselves victims of homophobia in the worst possible way. When things get incredibly serious for both men Ivan #2 realizes what is important and what’s not. As things become increasingly clear for one Ivan the other keeps his distance.

I really enjoyed how Princess SO told this story. It was painful at times but so beautiful to watch their connection develop. Even taking into consideration the HUGE gesture at the end I would qualify this as a happy for now story. This was a good one and if you enjoy this authors stories then you will not want to miss out on Ivan vs. Ivan. Recommend.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

ARe