Reviewed by Marieke
TITLE: The Boyfriend Cruise 
SERIES: Pride of the Caribbean #2
AUTHOR: Deanna Wadsworth
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 294 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 25, 2018
BLURB:
The Pride of the Caribbean is a cruise ship unlike any other. Paranormals working on board the enchanted ship hide in plain sight, under the benevolent protection of a demigod captain and his fairy husband.
And this is a shipboard romance unlike any other.
Josh Gilbert’s well-meaning family booked a gay-friendly cruise for Christmas in order to find Josh a boyfriend. Hoping to escape the constant parade of bachelors—and the collapsible fishing rod dangling mistletoe his mom keeps in her purse—Josh takes solace in a growing friendship with the ship’s photographer, Nathan. Though Josh is falling for Nathan, he worries it will never be more than a shipboard fling.
Nathan recently became aware of his incubus heritage and has finally learned how to control his demon side. But Josh has awakened more than just the demon’s need for orgasms—Josh has awakened Nathan’s heart. What’s developing between them is the real thing, but can Josh ever accept Nathan’s promiscuous past… and love a sex demon?
Amid lush tropical settings, family hilarity, holiday costume parties, sexy snorkeling adventures, gingerbread martinis, and mythical creatures, will Josh get his Christmas wish and finally find the true love he’s wanted for so long?
REVIEW:
Josh is a slightly chubby, too serious gay man, whose family totally accepts him. Maybe they even accept him a little too much.
They gifted him with a gay cruise in the hope to find him a boyfriend. His mom however, goes a little overboard–– no pun intended–– with her mistletoe and her loud mouth, telling everyone he’s single.
Nathan spies Josh through the lens of his camera and is very happy to hear his mothers comment about being single. Nathan’s part incubus, a quarter to be precise, and needs the orgasms of others to survive. In his past he hadn’t been aware of the demon inside him and used men to feed a hunger he couldn’t place, without even knowing how and why. When a full incubus told him what he was and to find this cruise, he found his mentor and some control.
Nathan seduces Josh, the human way, and they get close. But Josh knows it can never be more than a holiday fling, because when the week is over he has to go back home, and Nathan sails out again, right?
The details of Nathan’s heritage are pretty vague, because he never knew his father. But his life story and how he came to the Pride cruise, are very well covered. Even though he’s part demon, he’s a good guy. I loved him from the start. Josh was a bit predictable in the beginning, with his insecurities and hang-ups, though I do like this character type. About half way through the story, he surprised me and got a lot more interesting. He has an inner strength I adored, but his fantasies are what surprised Nathan, me and himself.
The family is brilliant, their commitment to finding him the ‘right’ boyfriend, their sense of humor, their love for each other and life is amazing. They embrace their mission and their gay son/brother(in-law) and never bat an eye at any gay PDA. The way they want to push Josh into finding someone with money and prestige is a bit annoying, but even that if forgivable in the end.
The big storyline is sweet and amusing because of the paranormal stuff. The side storylines are freaking hilarious, touching, and even one tear jerker. Which makes this book a big recommend, in my opinion. Even though it’s a Christmas story, you can totally read is all year round, because the Christmas part is just a small splash of green and red glitter on the entire plate of cookies/stories.
If you don’t like a little paranormal with a small twist, you’ll have to skip this one, but otherwise go read it!
RATING: 
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