Reviewed by Cindy
TITLE: Thorn in his Side
AUTHOR: Helen Juliet
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 308 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 16, 2020
BLURB:
The last thing beautiful, inexperienced Joshua Bellamy wants is an arranged marriage with the terrifying Darius Legrand. But if Joshua wants to save himself and his family from being thrown onto the streets by Darius’s father, he has no choice. However, when Darius goes to extreme lengths to rescue Joshua from near-death, Joshua has to wonder if there’s more to his beastly husband than he previously thought.
Former Captain Darius Legrand is used to being manipulated by his cruel father, but when Joshua is dragged into the feud between their families, he decides something has to change. Protecting Joshua is one thing, but Darius knows that falling in love can’t be an option. Someone so young and beautiful could never give his heart to an older ill-tempered brute like Darius.
Joshua is determined to bring joy to Darius’s life again, and Darius refuses to let Joshua hide his sweetness from the world any longer. Over time, it becomes clear that despite their differences, their hearts are drawing closer together. But can happiness ever be possible for a rose and a thorn when Darius’s father will go to any lengths to see his deadly game through?
Thorn in His Side is a steamy, standalone MM romance novel featuring tender bubble baths, a stubborn but loyal horse, thunder storms, enough healing touches to mend any broken heart, and a guaranteed HEA with absolutely no cliffhanger.
REVIEW:
Thorn in his Side is an interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast. Darius Legrand is the beast of our story and Joshua Bellamy is the fair beauty. Both men are fairly likable characters and so I did manage to get invested in their HEA.
Darius’s father is the “Gaston” of this story and while I understand he’s supposed to be scary, I had a hard time figuring out why veteran Darius was so afraid of his father and didn’t learn to stand up to him long before this story takes place. This is a man who faced the horrors of war and should have kicked his manipulative father to the curb, instead of letting himself be intimidated. Joshua’s father kind of got on my nerves to be honest, because he’s a terrible, although loving parent.
Joshua is sweet and kind and determined to make the most of a bad situation. As someone who’s never been in a relationship, he has no real expectations except to worry that his arranged marriage will make his new husband resent the hell out of him.
Of course, nothing in the story is a real surprise. The slow coming around of both men, their growing mutual attraction. Also the nasty crap pulled by Darius’s father. I even figured out who the second bad guy of the story was long before he was revealed.
I was really hoping to be surprised by a unique twist but what we got was exactly what it said on the box…down to the helpful animals.
This story was sweet and I liked the tenderness Darius showed Joshua. The sex was very sexy and steamy and something I very much enjoyed.
There’s really very little angst in this story and if that appeals to you, then you should like this one a lot. I like a little more honestly and anticipation in my stories. It makes the payoff at the end all the better.
In the end, it’s a nice read to fill a quiet afternoon and if fairytales are your style then you will love this one!
RATING: 
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