Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Not Used to Cute 
AUTHOR: Becca Seymour
PUBLISHER: Rainbow Tree Publishing
LENGTH: 244 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 22, 2020
BLURB:
A bar owner who’s not looking for a relationship. A lost soul who’s afraid to trust. When Elijah and Seb meet, sparks fly. But will either of them find the courage to take what they want?
Pouring his all into his business, Elijah is perfectly content running his bar. With its prime location and its infamous drag shows, Bar QK is the place to be. Elijah is used to meeting new and sometimes interesting people, but it’s rare anyone catches his interest for anything longer than a five-minute conversation.
It takes a wandering, unfiltered surfer, who’s tired of the chase and dog-tired of people taking advantage of him, to spark long-buried interest in Elijah.
While kindness runs through his veins, Seb doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He has a past he’d rather forget and has no real expectations for his future. He believes it’s safer to not make assumptions about anything or anyone; that way, he’ll remain safe.
It takes his elusive, aloof boss, whose mixed messages are more confusing than Ikea furniture instructions, to show Seb that opening his heart can be worth the risk.
When Elijah and Seb find themselves working on a common goal, the high stakes may be just the nudge they need.
Not Used To Cute is a low-angst, beach-town gay romance set in the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
REVIEW:
Seb is a young guy who is on his own. He’s been kicked out by his family, managed to couch surf his was from 15 and has not got his own place. He’s out with friends at a gay bar and he meets the owner, who takes a liking to him and offers him a job. Seb thinks the guy, Elijah, is gorgeous and he’s grateful for the job. But Elijah makes him nervous because he’s so attracted.
Elijah hasn’t been in a relationship for a while. He really likes Seb and he hears that he’s looking for a job so he hires him part time. He’s really attracted, but he doesn’t want to overstep with Seb. He can see that he’s nervous. Also there are some things going on at the bar – with some homophobic graffiti and whatnot. But then Seb is attached outside the bar – nothing damaging, just scary. And Elijah goes into protective mode. But then he backs off. Seb doesn’t know what to think.
Finally Elijah decides to go for it and Seb couldn’t be happier. They start to spend some quality time together – both at and away from work. Things are also moving along with identifying and catching the bad guys, and when there is a discovery that there is a connection to the bar and that one of their own might be in danger, everyone pulls together. Thankfully there are lots of distractions to keep everyone busy 🙂
I’ve read a couple of other Becca Seymour books and liked them OK, but for some reason I just didn’t connect with this one. I just didn’t feel the characters at all. I’m not sure why, but they seemed kind of caricatures to me. Seb – the twinky guy who has been kicked out and doesn’t really have anyone. He’s not had any good relationships and he feels like people don’t think he can take care of himself. Elijah is the “broody” big guy who doesn’t want to to want Seb – who is different to anyone he’s been with before as far as type. And he’s his boss – which is kind of a no go zone at this point. Then there is the homophobic attacks on the bar and on Seb. I don’t know why, but it just didn’t ring true for me in the way it was discussed and handled, but maybe it’s different in Australia. Elijah and Seb dance around each other for most of the book, not exactly playing hard to get but rather just trying to keep their distance. They still acted all possessive and kinda jealous when they weren’t together. Seb has some self-esteem issues – whether because of his past or his stature, he doesn’t think Elijah will ever go for him. Elijah tries runs hot and cold and he’s conscious of being Seb’s boss (as he should be). There are supporting characters, but they aren’t very developed – like I’m still not sure what the issue is with Elijah’s sister. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this story, I just couldn’t get into it. It’s not angsty and the guys get their happy ending, so if you’ll looking for something like that, then give this a try.
RATING: 
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