Reviewed by Cindy
TITLE: Secretly Dating the Lionman
SERIES: Cowboys and Angels Book 2
AUTHOR: Sue Brown
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 200 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 27, 2018
BLURB:
Can a man burdened with family drama find his way into the arms of a happy-go-lucky stripper called Lionman?
Cris likes a drink at Cowboys and Angels bar after his shift at the strip club—until one night when a trashed young guy named Mikey tries to kiss him. He’s not Cris’s type, but Cris is good enough to see the kid home safely. There he meets Mikey’s handsome older brother, Bennett, and there’s an immediate spark between them.
But Bennett might not be in a position to start a relationship, let alone with the carefree Cris. He’s trying desperately to hold his family together, with a younger brother who’s running off the rails and hostile parents who will never accept not just one, but two gay sons.
When Cris is unexpectedly fired and Bennett’s family drama escalates, they turn to each other for support. But can a shoulder to lean on develop into something much closer, something they both deserve?
REVIEW:
Cris is a man who knows who he is and what he wants. And being someones secret isn’t it.
Bennett wants more out of life, but he’d terrified of losing his family and he spends so much time trying to keep it together, he may not have time for himself.
When I started reading this story, I’ll be honest. I wanted to punch Bennett in the nose a couple of times. I was almost sure the blurb was wrong about who Cris’s love interest would be. Thankfully, he grew on me. Turns out he’s just a terrified sweetheart who loves his family more than he values himself.
Cris is a strong man and a strong character. He’s made his own way and screw anyone who doesn’t like it. He’s working hard to get more out of life, and he’s going to get it no matter what.
I certainly ran the gamut of emotions with this story. Anger and annoyance gave way to sadness and then joy. I really enjoyed Sue Browns unique voice in this story. She has a way of building sympathy for a character so that we come to see thing from their point of view.
It was nice to see the crew from Speed Dating the Boss again. Nice to see that Dan and Gideon are enjoying their happily ever after and that Ariel is still as spunky as ever. This is the kind of sequel I like. Tells a wonderful new story without messing with the HEA of the couple in the previous book.
Cowboys and Angels is the kind of bar I’d like to hang out in and so it makes this story feel all the enticing for me. Sue Brown has created an awesome place for her characters to hang their hats in.
Ms. Brown certainly knows how to write a heartbreaking scene that somehow becomes more, and does a fine job of it when Bennett’s family is in the picture. You might not end up liking all of them, but you will understand where they are coming from.
This is an excellent follow-up to the first novel but to be honest, this story is okay to be read as a stand alone. (Read the first one though, just because it’s just as awesome.)
I have no problem recommending this story to everyone. It’s a little angsty and a lot sweet and it definitely was a page turner that I couldn’t put down.
RATING: 
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