Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Star Spangled Showdown
AUTHOR: Hank Edwards
PUBLISHER: Startled Monkey Media
LENGTH: 244 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2021
BLURB:
A fireworks salesman intent on making his mark in his family’s business. A twice divorced father in desperate need of a sale and a new love life. A week-long town celebration that sparks their competitive natures.
Owen Gillespie is no stranger to competition. But his plan to spend Independence Day week at the Williamsville Inn before pitching his fireworks proposal is derailed when he meets a handsome and snarky man in the elevator.
Dom Mitchell has two marriages behind him and three kids he’s supporting. His bisexual awakening has opened him up to dating men for the first time, but he isn’t looking for a serious relationship; he’s in town to sell a fireworks package.
When both men realize they’re vying for the same business, they decide to turn it into a competition. But things slip out of their control when the mayor learns of their agreement and proposes some challenges of her own. These two corporate rivals will need to work together even as they’re competing against each other to woo the mayor and other city officials, all while keeping their mutual attraction a secret and their hearts in check.
At the end of the week, only one of them will be leaving town with a signed contract, but the sparks between them are undeniable, and their love life might just be the most dazzling display of all.
This funny, snarky, and steamy story about corporate rivals turned lovers with a slight age gap and a spanking fetish is set in the Williamsville Inn world but can be read as a standalone story.
REVIEW:
Owen Gillespie needs this sale. He works for his father’s fireworks company – as do this his whole family. He’s the youngest, the gay brother, and the least experienced salesman of the family. His father has high expectations and that has been the case especially since his mother left when Owen was 12 and never looked back. He really wants this sale and he’s going to get it.
Dominic Mitchell needs a win. His record lately hasn’t been great – either in his sales job or with his two ex-wives and this three children. He’s separated from two of his kids geographically and maybe even more emotionally. He’s missing his youngest daughter’s birthday for this business trip, but he really wants this sale. If he can sell Williamsville on his company’s fireworks package, it’ll got a long way.
But something funny happens at the Willaimsville Inn when Owen and Dom meet in an elevator. Owen in his Mets cap and Dom in his Yankees hat already have a built in rivalry. And the sparks fly (so to speak). They end up going to lunch together and totally enjoying each other’s company. And then they figure out they are there for the same thing. They agree to a competition – with the daily winner getting to do whatever they want to the loser (although there are no losers here 😉 )
Things get even more heated when the Mayor of Williamsville notes the competitive nature of the two top salesman for the town’s business. She decides they should compete at the town’ Fourth of July festival in the daily competitions there as well. Does she know something? Suspect something? Both guys are game, it’s a rollicking good time for everyone. But only one can ultimately win the contract. And what will happen to the “loser”?
What an adorable, meet cute, competition rivals who have the hots for each other story! I’m a huge fan of this author – his Plus Ones is still one of my most favorite comfort humorous reads and this book had me in that same space. Owen and Dom’s competition for the Fireworks contract spices up with the Fourth of July festivities competition and their own personal competition set the perfect tone for this slight age-gap gay romance. Their flirtation was both fun and funny and the additional competitive edge egged on by the Mayor of Williamsville just ratcheted up the heat in the story. Although their connection was quick, I found it to be believable – mostly because they were both extremely honest about their feelings and their pasts and their families. How refreshing to not see ANY game playing – well other than the competitions 😉 Wouldn’t it be nice if all relationship started out this way and were built on a foundation of honesty and vulnerability that was respected and encouraged? I absolutely adored that angle of the story. The sales competition was a great setup to these guys finding their HEA! The secondary/support characters were also fabulous – particularly Henry, Dom’s assistant, Diane, Owen’s assistant and both guys families. I loved that everything wasn’t perfect for them. Highly recommended for a low angst, feel-good romance – just in time for the Fourth of July!
RATING: 
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