Reviewed by True
TITLE: Crossing Lines
SERIES: Hollywood Hopefuls #3
AUTHOR: Jeris Jean
PUBLISHER: Self-Publishing
RELEASE DATE: March 30, 2021
LENGTH: 233 pages
BLURB:
When Matt is propositioned by Jasper, a hot older guy, he’s more than down. That is until he realizes Jasper has a boyfriend, and Matt would be joining them both. He’s not into it, especially since the boyfriend is a jerk, so he ditches them both. What Matt doesn’t expect is the lingering disappointment that the handsome man who approached him wasn’t single and he didn’t get a chance to know him better.
Jasper is not used to rejection. He didn’t become one of the most successful and highest-paid executives in all of Hollywood by accepting defeat. So when Matt, the sexy young barista, turns him down flat not once but twice, he doesn’t quite know what to do. Jasper finds himself going out of his way to get to know what’s behind Matt’s reluctance when it’s clear there is a mutual attraction between them.
Crossing Lines is an age gap, opposites attract mm romance set in Hollywood. There’s some angst and plenty of heat, but you can count on a HEA. (CW: references to past sexual assault.) This is the third book in the Hollywood Hopefuls series, but it works as a standalone novel.
REVIEW:
What a wonderful narrative, I was delighted by the course of this story.
It was the whole picture that did it for me, it has wonderful characters, quite different but also the same, wonderfully developed, and a solid storyline.
It’s the third of a series but can perfectly read as a stand-alone.
A lot is happening in this story, all written with a natural and comfortable flow.
At a bar, Matt gets an invitation from a hot older guy, he’s up for it until the guy’s idiot boyfriend shows up. Matt is so not in for a threesome and walks away. Disappointed because jeez this guy Jasper was hot.
Jasper wants to talk to the beautiful guy he met at the bar. This same guy seems to be the barista of the coffee shop at the building where Jasper works. So he will begin with buying coffee, every morning, just to see Matt and get closer.
They start something, it’s sweet, delicate, and with reasons it has to be carefully treated. What follows is a beautiful bumpy road, where they get closer, all a sight for the eye.
So here we have Matt, taking care of his siblings, swept off his feet by this older, rich, and famous guy. Matt has a dream to open his own coffee shop, Matt has some difficulties from years ago that still influence his current situation. Jasper is so smitten with Matt he’s patient and accommodating with the situation.
We also have the successful award-winning tv producer Jasper, he’s over his head with the younger Matt, his favorite barista. Money or fame doesn’t do it for Matt, so Jasper has to win him with who he is and nothing more or less.
They want each other desperately and want it to work. Now and then in fits and starts, It’s not easy, still, they fit quite well. Two beautiful flawed characters, crazy about each other. The question is can they find each other in the middle. I’m not gonna spoil what the road for both is because that’s the core of this story!
Let’s just say there is a lot to learn.
There are moments with hurt/comfort, fights, misunderstandings, non-communication, quite hurtful at times where emotions run high up, but even more, it was sweet, respectful with some attractive sexy moments, all wonderfully entwined with each other.
I have to mention Matt’s wonderful siblings, they have a good part in this story.
The whole story felt natural, the situations plausible, both men weren’t perfect, thank goodness!
You understand I adored this story. Are there points for improvement? always, only not important enough to mention. I loved this story so much, both characters, apart and certainly together, were just lovable, willing to work hard to let their relationship succeed!
RATING: 
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