Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Fearing the Dream
SERIES: Everyone’s Mechanic #2
AUTHOR: Ann Marie James
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 177 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 16, 2020
BLURB:
What happens when a man who is always alone meets a man who never is?
Sergei is the leader within the Russian immigrant community in Raleigh and the head of his family. He is a successful businessman who has carefully cultivated his intimidating persona, not correcting people when they believe him to be the head of the area’s Russian mob. Everyone comes to him if they have a problem. His problem is that he doesn’t know how to tell them no, especially his sister.
Stuart spends a lot of time alone, working from home as a graphic and website designer. He doesn’t want to be alone, but it’s simply how things have worked out. Stuart was devastated when his mother let his stepfather kick him out of the house as soon as he graduated high school. Working two—and sometimes three—jobs to put himself through college didn’t leave him a lot of time to socialize. He has had to look out for himself for a long time now and finds it hard to let anyone in. Becoming friends with Lee Clark at Everyone’s Mechanic is one of the best things that has ever happened to him and it leads to him meeting Sergei.
Sergei has to break through Stuart’s protective shell and give him a home and family. Stuart needs to teach Sergei that it’s okay to have boundaries, even with loved ones.
Reader advisory: This book contains references to homophobia, domestic abuse, sexual teacher/student relationship not involving main characters, familial abandonment and drug use with its potential consequences. It is best read as part of a series.
REVIEW:
I’m telling you, we need interactive books where we can beat the snot out of someone that needs it. Holy crap. This book is so so good, but it’s going to put you through the emotions. Big time. And I’m curious as to who is going to be next in this series. I know who I’d like to see, but we will see.
When Stuart met Sergei at Kirk and Eric’s wedding, he had no idea who the man really was. All he knew was the man was gorgeous as sin and was amazing to talk to. But he had to rush out of the wedding when a phone call came, and it left Stuart feeling a little down on himself because Sergei didn’t even ask for his number. Maybe he was just dreaming the chemistry they had. But when his birthday rolled around, what started as a horrible day, ended in one where his true family surprised him as well as Sergei. It was the start of an at times awkward but sweet and beautiful relationship, until Sergei’s sister was determined to do all she could to ruin them and Stuart personally. Especially after something happened at a dinner. And it was the icing on the cake that Stuart needed to finally feel like what was a dream was just a fairytale after all. What could a guy like Sergei ever see in a guy like Stuart? Especially when his nasty sister seemed more important than him. And now that the truth of things are spilling out, Sergei can finally go see Stuart. But Stuart is gone. Can he find the man and make things right, or will Stuart break him and let him go?
I don’t know who’s butt I wanted to beat more. Sergei’s sister or her boyfriend. Both really. Because even though the bf was doing her wrong, she’s an adult and should have owned up to what she did. But, somewhere there’s always someone that has to play the victim. Yes, in a way she was, but still. I felt for Stuart. So much so in this. His own family life was horrid, and getting worse by the minute. But the one thing I was thankful for, was the adage, that family is not always blood but who we make it. And Stuart was finally realizing where his true family lie. Even with Sergei. Sergei was everything Stuart wanted in a man. He treated him like royalty. And it wasn’t about the money. It was about the actual relationship. It was intimate and they were just as much friends as they were lovers. And that’s a good thing. I loved how they made each other feel. And Sergei even made the comment…..They were stronger with each other, instead of without. They completed each other. So yeah, it was hard when everything went down because of it. But they learned again, keep talking. Keep telling each other how they feel and move on. Let go of the bad and move to the good.
It’s a hard story at times. It’s so emotional. But it’s worth every page. I think this is actually my favorite of the two so far. I’m curious and anxious to see who’s going to be next.
RATING: 
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