Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Spark Between Us
SERIES: L.A. Fire #2
AUTHOR: I.M. Flippy
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 181 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 28, 2021
BLURB:
As one of the stars of L.A. Fire, TV’s hottest new show, I’ve learned to know my place.
I’m not one of the young hotties who gets paid to light up the screen with my smile and take off my shirt.
I’m around to help ground the cast. After half a lifetime in Hollywood and one big mistake that almost destroyed me, I know how to do my job.
And just as importantly, I know how to avoid mixing The Business with pleasure.
But my co-star Emilio doesn’t make it easy.
Emilio is young, talented, beautiful, and every time we’re near each other, I feel myself wanting to get closer. Sometimes, I even think we’ve got a lot more in common than I’d like to admit.
There’s definitely a spark between us.
But is Emilio worth risking everything I’ve worked so hard to build?
REVIEW:
Oh, this scrumptious book. I adore it, just like I adore the captivating Emilio and Michael and their perfect love story. This series is on fire (sorry, I know that’s lame).
Emilio and Michael are actors on the new L.A. Fire television series that originated in Walker’s Flame. Emilio, a Juilliard graduate, is a flirty twenty-three-year-old heartthrob with a mighty crush on veteran actor, Michael, who is twenty years his senior. Michael is a kind, stoic, and very private man who strives to maintain professionalism on set. He’s struggling with his own attraction to Emilio but is dead set against becoming involved with a co-star. In addition to the central love story, the plot contains a storyline involving a messy situation that arises after Emilio sleeps with a creepy series writer (before becoming involved with Michael).
Far and away, the finest part of this book is the long weekend trip to Michael’s ranch in New Mexico. While he would love to take just Emilio, keeping their budding relationship a secret necessitates Michael inviting along fellow actors and good friends Fantasia, Denise, and J.J. These are such endearing characters, full of vitality, humor, and loyalty. Of course, Michael and Emilio’s attraction is obvious – and delightful – to everyone, including Michael’s mother, Ade. Michael and Ade have a lovely relationship; he considers her his best friend.
The ranch is an ideal setting for Michael and Emilio to discover each other and fall in love – peaceful and romantic with dancing under the stars, riding horses, and rolling in the hay. The love in the air is nearly palpable. Emilio appreciates how carefree and at ease, even boyish, Michael is at his ranch. He’s fully in his element.
“A part of me hoped Emilio showed no particular liking for the ranch. Then it would be easy. Anyone who didn’t get the place, I’d long ago decided, probably wouldn’t get me either. But if he loved it… If he loved it, I would likely love him. If I didn’t already.”
As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, world building is very important to me. Reading is an escape and in order to fully escape, I need a well-developed world, ideally filled with evocative imagery – sights, sounds, and even scents – to be fully immersed in the narrative.
Michael’s High Sunset Ranch and the desert landscape of New Mexico are brought to life through Ms. Flippy’s vivid descriptions. I’ve never been to this part of the country but I feel I can envision it with ease. She has created a peaceful sanctuary to provide Michael and his guests a reprieve from their daily stresses.
The author details the heady scent of leather saddles and hay; the sound of grunting horses, the rustling of leaves; the adobe home with its exposed wood beams and warm furnishings. A stunning picture unfolds as two horses gallop through the grass at sunset then slow to wade through a muddy creek. These scenes convey a deep connection, love, and respect for the horses, the land, and nature. And that tells us a lot about what Michael, and Emilio, value in life.
There are many small, charming scenes, like the amusing breakfast brimming with gentle teasing and horse “riding” innuendos from their friends. “Oh, they’re gonna talk about riding all right. Might even do some riding.” J.J. was loud. “They’re gonna ride all day.”
Or when the sexual tension escalates rapidly in the movie theater and Emilio loses his battle with lust, bolting for the door mid film. And there’s the jog up the colorful Micheltorena staircase that was intriguing enough for me to Google it.
The pièce de résistance is when Michael and Emilio begrudgingly decide they need to remain friends, nothing more. So, what is the first thing they do? They hold a Jerk Off Contest to see who can last the longest while watching each other. We faced each other, dicks in hand. It was a bit like an old Western duel without the metaphor. Hmm. Ill-advised for “friends” trying to maintain their distance, I’d say. They agree. It was simultaneously funny and steamy AF.
And then there are the small, quiet moments filled with little touches of affection and caring, awash with giddiness and intensity. When those emotions expand, their languid love making is both sensual and smoking hot as the sparks fly between them (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Michael takes such gentle (and thorough) care of Emilio while taking him apart.
The Spark Between Us is another brilliant book from Ms. Flippy. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Meanwhile, I hope and pray J.J. stars in the next book. This guy!
RATING: 
BUY LINK: