Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Up Ship Creek
SERIES: Valentine’s Inc. Cruises #10
AUTHOR: Abigail Kade
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 99 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 12, 2019
BLURB:
What happens when you find out the one person who always rubs you the wrong way can rub you the right way even better?
Taylor loathes boats and the water, but he accepts an invitation for a short cruise with his latest fling because the dick is good and he has the vacation time. How bad could it be? When he’s stood up and stranded without a cabin by the dick, he can’t believe who comes to his rescue. How in the hell is he supposed to survive four days in the same room with his secret wet dream armed with only a suitcase full of lingerie? He’ll need every last bit of self-control to survive without climbing and claiming mount Bart all for himself.
Bart’s brother won a cruise and convinced Bart to go. At the very last minute, his brother backs out and he winds up with a huge king suite all to himself. After the ship sails, he sees his favorite sexy designer desperately trying to find a place to stay on the sold-out cruise. Thrilled to come to the rescue, he offers to share his cabin since there’s plenty of room. It’s just the chance he’s been looking for to get Taylor to slow down and see what’s in front of him. Even if Taylor pretends to be immune to his charms, Bart’s a man with a plan and four days to make it happen.
Between Taylor’s suitcase of sexy fun, Bart’s surprising romantic side, and an unexpected Tropical Storm, these men will realize that being up the creek without a paddle is sometimes exactly where you’re meant to be.
Author Note: This book is a stand-alone which follows two characters who were first introduced in the Just the Way You Are series of books. It is not necessary to have read those books to enjoy this one. However, if you’re curious about their world, there’s more to explore!
REVIEW:
This was a cute little story. Two frenemies who are stuck on a cruise together. One stranded without a room. One with a room and by himself when his brother’s plans failed. When the offer of the room comes out, it takes all they have not to go at it in the middle of the lobby right then.
Taylor was ready to go on this cruise. Luke was a friend with benefits and maybe it could turn into more. He liked Luke, liked the sex. But when he gets on board and goes to his room, he is in shock at the bare naked woman on the bed spread eagle and then strangled by the boyfriend who thinks he wants the woman. Thank goodness he’s gay. They go downstairs and discover, Taylor has not only been stood up but everything has been cancelled. He’s stranded. And the boat has already left the port. Bart was looking forward to some time off. Too bad his brother had to cancel at the last minute because of a homicide case he had to work. When he went downstairs, after his nap, to get something to eat, he discovers Taylor standing there. But surely that couldn’t be Taylor. But it was. And when he finds out the problem, he is angry for Taylor and immediately offers the use of his room. With the king sized bed, they would have plenty of room. Plus the pullout couch. But as Taylor is unpacking, he realizes what his best friend packed for him and he is mortified. Bart comes to see what is taking Taylor so long and discovers the luggage full of nothing but lingerie and the sparks immediately fly. They go to eat, letting the chemistry simmer, and it’s not long after until they are in a passionate embrace and more. They admit to each other eventually they’ve been in love with each other for a while, but the problem is what happens when they get home. The man who stood Taylor up, shows up. Does Taylor want him back or will he stay with Bart and continue with what they’ve started?
I was so mad for Taylor myself when I read what happened to him. It was so wrong. Eventually you find out what happened…at the end of the book. And it’s legitimate. But still. At the time, it’s heartbreaking. Thankfully, Bart happened to be on the same cruise. Which was a blessing and a curse. A blessing because he now had a room, but a curse because he’d be hiding a hardon the whole time. It was funny, though, the way Bart and Taylor acted with each other. The bickering and sass back and forth. The way they goaded each other. You could tell they were into each other but fighting it every step of the way.
It’s a cute and sweet story. Friends who turn to lovers.
RATING: 
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