Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Strong Enough

SERIES: Family #2

AUTHOR: Cardeno C

PUBLISHER: The Romance Authors

LENGTH: 220 Pages

BLURB:

When a casual hookup turns into the potential for love, staid Spencer realizes he wants to build a life with vibrant Emilio.

When twenty-two-year-old Emilio Sanchez sees handsome Spencer Derdinger walking by his construction site, Emilio makes it his goal to seduce the shy professor. Getting Spencer into bed isn’t difficult, but Emilio soon learns that earning the trust of a man deeply hurt will take time and patience. With a prize like brilliant, sweet Spencer on the line, Emilio decides he is strong enough to face the challenge.

Spencer is surprised when he’s approached by the gorgeous construction worker he’s admired from the safety of his office window. Acting spontaneously for the first time in his thirty-eight years, Spencer takes Emilio home. When the casual hookup turns into the potential for love, Spencer realizes that if he wants to build a life with Emilio, he’ll need to be strong enough to slay his personal demons and learn to trust again.

REVIEW:

This is one of my very favourite Cardeno C books, and it is frequently re-read from my highest traffic kindle folder, which is entitled – Rainbows, Love and Puppies. This is the kind of book that should have you rolling your eyes and groaning insta-love, but no. Cardeno C works that talented author magic and somehow we receive a book that is ridiculously, over-the-top buckets of sappy sweetness – and it’s so very, very good!

I love that there is such a contrast between the characters but they still fit so perfectly with each other. Emilio may be sixteen years younger but he has more than enough confidence to go after what he wants – and what he wants is Spencer. There is no uncertainty, no hesitation and I think that side to Emilio is what makes this book a standout for me. He never doubts that Spencer is the man from him, and he may be a big, strong “manly man” but when it comes to his family and Spencer he’s not afraid to show his love.

Spencer, on the other hand could best be described as hesitant, uncertain and awkward. Not just with Emilio but in life in general. He can’t understand what the sexy younger man could possibly want him for, but he bravely pushes aside his fears and allows the tsunami that is Emilio to sweep him off his feet. I think that Emilio’s forceful personality and Spencer’s penchant for being steamrolled by others could easily have gone wrong, but Cardeno C balances everything perfectly. Besides, when Emilio uses that forcefulness to buoy his shy lover, how could anyone not go gaga over that sweetness.

I think the mostly sweet theme of this book results in the sex scenes being that much more shocking. Shockingly hot, that is. When these men hit the sheets the pages pretty much catch fire as Emilio helps Spencer explore his sexual side. It was great that the sex in this story served more purpose than mere titillation. Not that there’s necessarily anything wrong with that! But a large part of Spencer feeling that he wasn’t good enough to keep a man was his low sex drive. And the way that lack had been highlighted in previous relationships.

Although this is part of a series, or collection, these books are wholly standalones. I can’t recommend this book enough, and urge everyone to give it a try.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

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