REVIEW BY: Christie
TITLE: Desires’ Guardian
SERIES: Desires Entwined #2
AUTHOR: Tempeste O’Riley
NARRATOR: Jeff Gelder
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 6h 39m
RELEASE DATE: June 14, 2016
BLURB:
Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer, things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.
Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear – a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.
Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.
REVIEW:
Okay so, I wasn’t really sure whether I’d like this book or not, based on the blurb but thought “What the hey, I’ll check it out and see where it takes me.” Such a great decision! This was a fantastic book, and wonderful addition to the Desires Entwined series.
I will caution you, tho: It can be read as a standalone, however, if you have not read or listened to book 1 in the series (Designs of Desire), then you will come away with a sense that you’re not getting the whole picture. Don’t get me wrong, the book will still be great. It just won’t be excellent, because you may feel that you are missing something in explanations and so forth.
Anyhoo… On with the review, shall we?
Chase Manning is a party boy twink. Well, that’s what he lets everyone think, at least. In truth, he is not the superficial, out and proud party boy he leads people to think he is. Chase has a dark past that only his best friend James knows about.
Rhys Sayer is a private investigator and bodyguard, dealing with his own inner demons. So, when Chase asks Rhys out, he gets rudely rebuffed and is even highly insulted. Which was a total dick move on Rhys’ part, to be completely honest. Hey, he even says he that was a stupid thing to do, at some point in the book.
The problem is, the two end up circling around each other for a while, and when Rhys realizes that he’d like to try things with Chase, it’s like pulling teeth to get the reluctant twink to acquiesce. Anyone here surprised that Chase would be recalcitrant to start something with Rhys after being rudely rejected and insulted? No? Yeah, me neither.
And, just when the two eventually start something (c’mon, you saw it coming from a mile away), Chase gets put in danger. Big time. Good thing Rhys is both a PI and bodyguard, amirite? But, can their relationship grow into something more substantial? What secrets from his past is Chase hiding? And, when Rhys finds out, will he still want Chase? Do get the book and find out!
This is not my first Jeff Gelder narrated book, and it most certainly will not be my last. I am actually a big fan of his. Tho his narration can be an acquired taste because it comes off as a bit stiff, there’s something about his voice that draws me to getting and listening to every book he has narrated.
And, Tempeste O’Riley, you. are. awesome! The 4 book Desires Entwined series comprises my entire experience with your writing, and I confess I want MORE. As in, I want to binge read everything in your catalogue many times over. Okay, so now I sound like a creepy stalker fan, but hopefully you understand what I mean. *is now a huge fan of yours* Looking forward to reading more of your works as soon as I can!
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