Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Dante
AUTHOR: Stella Shaw
SERIES: Love @ the Haven
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 82 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 11, 2021
BLURB:
Everyone deserves a second chance – both in life and love.
Dante’s been fooled in love before, and his career is dead in the water – he’s determined he won’t be betrayed again. In between part-time jobs, he’s been tricking at the Haven, a run-down London hotel, and rebuilding his independence. But on a particularly cold winter’s evening, a disaster in Room Four nearly finishes him off for good. Will he and his new friends lose the shelter they’ve come to rely on?
When they meet the hotel’s new owner, Rick, they don’t expect him to accept the rent boys who’ve been using the hotel’s hospitality, however respectful they’ve been. But while negotiations are in progress to renovate the Haven, Dante meets Rick’s friend Blake. Neither of them can ignore the sudden, fierce spark of attraction between them.
Blake is successful, rich, and totally committed to honesty. And, apparently, just as determined in having a relationship with Dante. As they explore the physical fascination between them, they can’t help developing the emotional bond too.
But if Dante confesses his past to Blake, will that be the end of everything? Or will their time at the Haven provide the comfort and understanding that both men have been seeking?
REVIEW:
Dante is a delightful novella with sweet characters, an enjoyable plot, and little angst.
The Haven is a small, dilapidated, old hotel in London, so run down the roof partially caves in one night under the weight of snow. Once a normal hotel with regular guests, it now operates by word of mouth only to single men seeking an escort. Dante is one of those escorts who, like the other five or so regulars, rents rooms for the evening to entertain clients. He enjoys his job and makes goods money. The hotel is certainly safer and more palatable than back alleys and the back seats of cars. But his life is going nowhere fast: his accounting career went belly up, he works temporary, dead end jobs during the day, and lives in a one room flat.
Amid the chaos on the night the roof caves in – right during one of Dante’s sessions – two strangers arrive. Rick is the nephew of the elderly woman who owns the Haven, and he regrettably informs the escorts that she just died and he has inherited the hotel. He was not aware of how the Haven was being used, but he’s impressed by the men and would ideally like to repair the hotel, live there, and continue with it’s current business.
The chosen family theme is prevalent, with the escorts not only co-workers but friends who support each other. They all help restore the hotel with Rick, who fortunately has a background in construction. Dante offers to go over the books and help secure a badly needed business loan for Rick. Rick is welcomed as another member of the family.
The second man that came in with Rick that first night is his friend, Blake. He’s a Scottish executive who catches Dante’s eye immediately, and it’s obvious there’s mutual attraction. Soon thereafter, Blake returns to hire Dante and they share several very sexy hours together. Dante charms Blake with his intelligence and quick wit, and he’s impressed with Blake’s genuine confidence, attentiveness, and integrity. Blake returns for another night and the chemistry intensifies. Blake wants a real relationship but Dante is hesitant. He was ruined by a man in his past who wrecked most aspects of his life.
Dante is a great novella that I would’ve enjoyed as a full-length novel because I liked the characters so much. In addition to the leading men and Rick, the escorts – particularly Arne and Tom – are charming. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of the guys at the Haven in the future.
RATING: 
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