Duo Review by Cheryl & Anabella
TITLE: The Last Dance
AUTHOR: John Inman
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 256 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 14, 2020
BLURB:
Martin Dance knows better than to get involved with a rent boy. After all, he’s been around the block a few times. And a few times after that. Still, there’s something about Johnny Cotton that catches his eye. And his heart.
When Johnny and his best friend find themselves in over their heads with the woman who owns them lock, stock, and barrel, Martin knows he has to step in.
Martin and his old buddy, Charlie Bass, might be retired from the Firm, but they still know how to manage a gunfight. And how to go underground with a couple of male hookers less than half their age. Just for the purpose of keeping them safe, you understand. No funny business intended.
Odd, though, how funny business tends to creep in when you least expect it.
It’s sort of like love that way, Martin decides. One minute you’re minding your own business, the next minute you’re in a world of hurt. Or, if you’re lucky, a world of happy.
REVIEW by Cheryl
The book had a slow start but built quickly and soon got into its stride. I can’t honestly say that I immediately took to Martin, but he grew on me. Johnny, on the other hand, grabbed me instantly and never let me go. He was sweet, funny and vulnerable in a way that called to me.
Their relationship was slow burn and I’m glad of that. The age difference wasn’t off putting as such, but there was potential for it to be creepy. I’m glad it wasn’t because both of these characters grew on me.
Johnny was in deep trouble and his reactions were absolutely valid for what he going through. There was never a time when I thought he was overreacting or underreacting. There were times when I thought Martin was underreacting but on the whole, he was consistent.
Charlie was an unexpected character. I wasn’t expecting him to appear, and when he did he was so refreshing. Unashamedly a horn dog and one of the strangest characters I’ve read in a while—on account of him having his brains scrambled by a bullet in the line of duty. He was beautifully screwed up and eccentric as hell. I empathised.
Super secret government agencies are not rare in fiction, but I pretty much bought into this one. It would have gone awry when Martin and Charlie turned into James Bond, if not for the fact that everything went wrong. I wouldn’t say they were bad at it, but despite all their insider talk and careful planning, things didn’t always work out. One thing that worked out perfectly was what happened to Mrs Miller and Tony. I won’t spoil the surprise, but it was hilarious as well as very satisfying.
Although he didn’t make much of an appearance, one of my favourite characters was Mace. He had such fire despite being in a desperate situation and even though he was gravely injured, he found the courage to come through for his friend when he needed him most.
I think the shining light of this book was the characterisation. Every character was distinct and beautifully developed. The writing was generally fluid and well paced, and although there were some faults, where the story didn’t flow quite so well, or wasn’t entirely consistent, but on the whole the characters carry it to being one of the best books I’ve read in a while.
RATING: 
REVIEW by Anabela
No one ever has been in a need for a knight in shining armor to save him as much as Johnny: caught in a horrible, frightful situation, being used and sold, in the merciless hand of a woman and her violent henchman. John Inman hasn’t spared any punches in making his desperation gut-wrenching realistic, his shame and helplessness like a living thing, breathing through the pages. And, just when Johnny finally had found the courage to run away and he was at his most terrified, both for himself and his friend Mace, fate did grant him a knight…albeit in the form of the 49 years old, slightly limping Martin.
Martin, who after five years of mourning his lover’s death and being ridden by guilt over it, was living his days in a rinse and repeat sequence. Until Johnny. Keeping the younger man safe made Martin dust off the skill sets he’s acquired from his days in the Firm, and more importantly, brought excitement to his monotone life. Also, being around Johnny woke up in Martin emotions he’d thought himself incapable of feeling again, surprising him with how open his heart was for a new love.
The buildup of the relationship between Johnny and Martin was a slow and tentative process, which I appreciated. I liked that they didn’t jump into an any kind of union, and instead they had gentle, honest moments together, a steady growth of feelings and passion, amidst fear and the uncertainty regarding their future.
My favorite thing about the book was how the author brilliantly broke the gloom with Charlie’s shenanigans. Martin’s best friend was a riot, bringing laughter in the otherwise tension filled circumstances. I didn’t expect the connection between Charlie and Mace, but I definitely cheered for it, and it was incredible how they, too, fit together.
This was a wonderful story about a new chance in life and I loved that not only Johnny and Martin, but also Charlie and Mace got theirs. It was a journey full of suffering, and I held my breath all through the book, fearing the worst and hoping for the best outcome for them.
Loved it!
RATING: 
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