Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: The Swap

AUTHOR: Annabella Michaels

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 189 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2018

BLURB:

When their daughter goes off to college, Samuel and his wife Gayle begin to take stock of their lives. Realizing they’re best friends and not in love with one another, the two agree to an amicable split. Nervous about jumping back into the dating world, they accept a friend’s invitation to attend a swap party.

Tossing their keys into a bowl and leaving it up to fate to decide who they’re paired with is too tempting to resist. But when Samuel is faced with an audacious young man who strikes up a conversation, the attraction to men he’s kept buried for so long comes rushing back.

At twenty-two years old, Oliver Hughes is one of the most sought after male models in the world. Sassy and bold, with a penchant for wearing high heels and a touch of makeup, Oliver’s life is what he always dreamed it could be. Except for one thing…

Yearning to fall in love and settle down, Oliver’s grown bored of meaningless hookups with shallow, fame seeking guys. While attending a swap party, his last-ditch effort to find someone who doesn’t know who he is when they meet, Oliver finds himself drawn to a handsome, older man. One who’s endearingly unaware of his own appeal.

As their relationship grows, something sinister and dark threatens what they’ve managed to build. What will it take for Oliver and Samuel to survive, and is their happily ever after doomed from the start?

REVIEW:

Oh my goodness gracious why oh why did it take me sooooo long to finally get to read this?

When I met Annabella at GRL 2018 in Portsmouth I had no idea how her writing would change my reading. She was standing next to a poster promoting this book and I asked her if this was about the key swapping parties like that went on in the 60’s? We had a nice discussion about the book and I promised her that, if she sent us a copy, I would read and review it. With all that has happened in my life since I left Virginia, and me taking on her entire Souls of Chicago series and its spin-offs, somehow this amazing book got pushed to the back. Big mistake! This book grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go. I literally had a hard time putting it down to even go to the restroom…it was that gripping and intriguing. I had thought that this was going to be one of those swapping partners books, and even though that is the premise to how Samuel and Oliver met, this book is so much more!

When Samuel, and his wife Gayle’s, daughter goes off to college they finally face the realization that they love each other but aren’t in love with each other. Their precious daughter Brooklyn was conceived during their freshman year of college during a night of passion. Sam is a stand-up kind of guy who doesn’t think twice about doing the right thing. Now 37 and single for the first time since college he doesn’t have a clue how to get into the dating scene. When Gayle suggests they go to a friend of hers swap party Sam agrees. It’s a safe place to meet people and hook up. There he is reminded that he had wondered if he was bisexual when he was in school. Boys and men had been attractive to him and interesting. When a gorgeous young man starts flirting with him he decides maybe he should examine his thoughts more fully.

Oliver has literally become an overnight sensation, taking the fashion industry by storm as their hottest male model, with the help of his manager Korey for the last three years. He owes his success to Korey but Korey has become increasingly more and more demanding of all of Oliver’s time. But what Oliver really wants and needs right now is someone special in his life. All work and no time to play has become grueling. When Oliver meets Samuel at a swap party he his completely taken by the older sexy man. But is there time in his life for what he has been dreaming of? And is Samuel even available since he spotted a wedding band on his finger when they met.

This book took us through Samuel’s sexual awakening, Oliver’s pursuit of what he ultimately wanted in his life, and betrayal that about decimates poor Oliver. One of the special parts was Samuel’s family’s acceptance of who he was. I loved how supportive Gayle was. It was obvious that she was still his best friend and loved him as much as he loved her but it wasn’t an “in love” love but a best friend kind.

I loved both these men. Oliver is sweet, sassy and goes after what he needs. Sam is solid, dependable, loving and supportive. He is the kind of guy that will give you what you need at his own expense. But these two together is what the other had been yearning for. The perfect one. Their soul mate.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It gripping and leads you into intrigue and danger just when you think Samuel and Oliver have it all. I bet you won’t be able to put it down any easier that I could.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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