Reviewed by Dee
TITLE: Cross to Bare
SERIES: Men of London #5
AUTHOR: Susan Mac Nicol
PUBLISHER: Boroughs Publishing Group
LENGTH: 197 pages
BLURB:
Tough in business but romantic at heart, fashion designer Lenny James isn’t hiding his masculinity behind his super successful female alter ego, but a vulnerability that only handsome financier Brook Hunter will be man enough to reveal…and worship.
TWO OF A KIND
It’s amazing what a little mascara and lipstick, a blonde wig, false boobs, and top-notch female fashion can hide. Not that Lenny James is hiding his masculinity. He uses his normal voice when he’s Laverne, and he’s not particularly camp as a man. His reasons for creating his alter ego are locked deep in his past. He is who he is: tough in business, and a romantic at heart. What he’s hiding is vulnerability. He wants a man to accept both sides of him.
Gorgeous, commanding, and dark as sin, Brook Hunter meets Lenny and knows nothing about Laverne until fate pushes her into his path. Cross-dressing is as far from Brook’s reality as fashion is from his world of diplomacy and high finance. Understanding and truth take time, and trust doesn’t come easy. But Brook is about to show Lenny that there are no sides to true love, just the place where they meet in the middle
REVIEW:
This was a really sweet story. Even though I haven’t read the first four books in the series, I had no problem following Lenny/Laverne & Brook’s story. The two had a few lovers’ quarrels but that’s to be expected in any relationship. I liked the fact Lenny stayed true to himself, and Brook did everything he could to understand Lenny’s driving need to transform into Laverne. Oh Laverne, how could you not love her? Her persona and stage presence was delightful. I found myself grinning like a loon on more than one occasion.
Laverne was never part of their love making, when it came to sex it was man on man, scorching hot loving. Well, all except for one scene, and that’s because they partake in an act I have an aversion to, something that has nothing to do with gender, and is totally on me.
There’s the hint of a scandal when it appears someone is pilfering Laverne’s patterns for clothing. However, the mole was found pretty quickly so it didn’t amount to much.
I really enjoyed the visit to Brooke’s family. Meeting family can be daunting at the best of times, let alone going to meet the parents of your gay lover, who are also aware you are a cross-dresser. The way everyone handled themselves was heartwarming.
The setting and narration appealed to me, as I like British English, and on that note I’m pleased the author stayed true to the language fitting the location of this story.
If you are looking for an easy read, two hot men, albeit it one of them a cross-dresser, some humor, and not a lot of unnecessary drama, this is the book for you.
RATING: 
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