Reviewed by Kimberley
TITLE: Romeo and Julius
AUTHOR: AJ Llewellyn
PUBLISHER: Amber Quill Press
LENGTH: 117 pages
BLURB:
Romeo Quiles has accepted a job online in lush and sunny Kauai. However, upon his arrival in the Hawaiian Islands, he discovers the job is a scam. The company that hired him has emptied his bank accounts and he must scramble to either return home to Cupertino, California, and certain unemployment, or to give paradise a chance.
He’s thrilled when he lands another job, ironically at the same resort hotel used by the scam artists to lure him to Hawaii. Except that Romeo’s fallen for hotter than hot Julius who just took on the job Romeo wanted—and he’s a very nice boss. To top it off, there’s secrets. Secrets galore. There’s ancient fire knife dancing, mysterious chants and an old blind man Romeo comes to cherish, but love rips at his heart. Can Romeo and Julius break the curse that separates them? Or will they wind up apart?
REVIEW:
This story, just like many others from this author, has absolutely the sweetest characters. From the MCs to the peripheral characters, they’re all quite memorable. The story is short but there are so many ‘feels’ packed into this, it’s unbelievable.
Romeo was lured into the beautiful island of Hawaii with the promise of his dream job only to find out it was a scam. The great Hawaiian gods and the spirit of Romeo’s father shuffled their feet and put people in Romeo’s life that turned his luck around.
I always enjoy this author’s books, especially the ones based in Hawaii. I admit that the title threw me off; I was expecting to find a story about two men who were unlucky in love, but that was not the case. I adored Romeo’s character. He had such a strong spirit. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, tucking his tail and returning home to certain unemployment, he decides to stay and fights to make a new life for himself. I am a firm believer that everything in life, good or bad, happens for a reason. It was fate that brought him to those islands.
Julius aka Kumi is a big and beautiful Hawaiian fire dancer. He and Romeo meet and it’s clear from the very start that these two lovely men were made for each other. Kumi is hardworking and loyal, a great brother, uncle, son and friend. His family and friends are amazing.
As usual, Ms. Llewellyn’s stories are filled with magical beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and its people. I also adore how she always manages to tastefully inject these wonderfully written multiethnic characters into her stories. Once again, her secondary characters are amazing!
As with all of this author’s works, there are a few pleasantly surprising twists to the stories that you are sure to enjoy.
I definitely recommend you give this sweet little story a read. You will not be disappointed.
RATING:
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