Reviewed by PizzyGirl
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ITLE: Blue Balls
SERIES: Balls to the Walls #7
AUTHOR: Tara Lain
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 264 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 9, 2018
BLURB:
A Balls to the Wall Romance
Double trouble. The McMillan twins, Robin and Bobby, are renowned for their talents—both as fine artists and for thrilling the various men who catch their eyes. As different in style and personality as their DNA is identical, they’re nonetheless best friends who divide and conquer, with Robin doing the serious painting and Bobby adding the sunny salesmanship.
But when their most important client decides Bobby must wield the paintbrush, the brothers revert to childhood tactics and switch places. Then along comes Micah, a handsome doctor who’s attracted to Bobby but invites Robin out to try to please his homophobic brother, and Paolo, the pain-in-the-butt client who thinks he’s wooing Bobby when he’s actually after Robin. Paolo harbors his own hidden pain that weirdly intersects with Robin’s, but pride and privacy conspire to produce what will either be a masterpiece—or end up as Dogs Playing Poker.
REVIEW:
For the most part I enjoyed this story. I had to go back and refresh myself on the twins as I had not read the previous stories in the series in quite some time, but once I was caught up, I easily re-immersed myself in this world.
For those of you looking for twinscest, this is not for you. This is a story of twins with a strong connection each meeting the man of their dreams. There were so many ups and downs and confusion run amuk, that this story was lighter than it had the potential to be.
Bobby’s story was pretty light hearted and straight forward. For me, it was more superficial than Robin’s story and therefore I did not make the same connection with Bobby and Micah as I did with Robin and Paolo. Don’t get me wrong, Bobby and Micah were perfect for each other and great together. And their romance was NECESSARY to balance Robin and Paolo. It was just that it was a simple romance with very little in the way of external influences or growth.
Robin and Paolo on the other hand stole my heart. These men both had baggage and upbringings that lead to hardened hearts. Their romance was not an easy journey. Both men had to look within themselves to heal before they could stop hurting one another. It was a really good journey and I loved the emotions that were always so close to the surface. I loved that these men actually had so much in common. I felt for them and fell for them and loved every minute of them being together.
I did have one major issue with this story and that is Robin’s baggage. The way the author built it up did NOT mesh with the big reveal of what was causing his self esteem and anxiety issues. It didn’t work for me and actually almost caused me to put the book down for good. I had a very hard time believing that the protective measures Robin had in place and the way he was living his life almost in fear, was simply because of the reason given. I won’t tell you anymore because it would be a spoiler. You should read it for yourself, but for me, it didn’t work.
I did enjoy Paolo and his mother. The interactions felt real and the changes felt like they were positive and on a path for permanence. It took work and healing and was more realistic than Robin’s baggage resolution.
I loved the ending and was very glad it wasn’t perfectly perfect all the time. There is still room for growth and healing and I look forward to seeing these mon in the future.
RATING: 
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