Reviewed by Sadonna and Kat
TITLE: Not For Sale
AUTHOR: Crystal Lacy
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 88,000 words
RELEASE DATE: July 29. 2021
BLURB:
Mistaken for an escort by his student’s guardian …
Jace wants to prove to himself that he can be adventurous. Which is why he’s using one of those apps for the first time ever. And the gorgeous guy who just showed up is enough to make Jace let go of all his inhibitions.
Nothing is more important to Theo than being there for his orphaned nephew, even if it means staying in the closet. Luckily, Theo can afford a discreet escort service whenever he needs to scratch that itch. Except this latest escort is … not at all what he expected.
A case of mistaken identity results in one scorching night neither man can forget. When they meet again, it’s impossible not to want more—but being together means risking Jace’s career and Theo’s relationship with his family. Can Jace and Theo keep their distance?
Not For Sale is a steamy 88,000 word billionaire romance featuring teacher/parent dynamics, light rent-boy role play, and a swoony HEA sure to leave you smiling.
SADONNA’S REVIEW:
Jace Li has had a bad breakup with an ex who tells him he’s boring in bed. Well. He’ll show him. So when his supposed date shows up at a hotel bar and things get heated quickly, he goes with the flow. I mean Theo is the HOTTEST guy he’s ever seen. But after their night of passion he wakes up to discover that this was not the date he expected, nor did the guy he was with get what he expected either.
When they next meet, Theo shows up at Jace’s school after an incident involving his orphaned nephew Gideon. Turns out Jace is Gideon’s homeroom and history teacher at his upscale private school. It’s a huge surprise for them both. And neither is really upset about it. But they realize they may be playing with fire – on so many level. Theo is in the closet and Jace is his nephew’s teacher. Their sizzling chemistry will not keep them apart though.
Jace and Theo agree to embark on a bit of a closeted romance. And they have a great time together – and not just in bed. Theo needs Jace more than he’s needed anyone in a long time. It doesn’t take long for them to develop feelings. But Theo’s father is a controlling homophobe who will stoop to anything to get his way – including trying to take everything from Theo that makes him happy.
Theo and Jace are not going to take any of this lying down though. And Theo has a few aces up his sleeve and a few allies that have his back. But mostly he has Jace’s love and desire to be with him that fuel him. And that is the best support of all.
Crystal Lacy is now an autobuy author for me. I think she just keeps getting better and better. The snappy dialogue, the adorable characters, the hot and smexy times are just so sweet and delicious and engaging. She’s also really really good at the “meet cute” or unusual introduction and this one is probably the most unusual yet. I couldn’t possibly love Jace and Theo more. Jace’s character is just so perfectly wrought. His sense of humor, his self-deprecating charm, his brain-melt because of Theo were just so perfect. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud at something he thought, did or said. Possibly my favorite character yet 🙂 Then there’s Theo. What a guy. I hated that he had suffered with the family loss and the inability to be himself because of his family. My sister teaches at a hoity-toity private school too and just because somebody has money absolutely does not mean that family life is all rosy. There are many ways to neglect the needs of a child. I loved how Theo loved his nephew and wasn’t go to let anyone get in the way of their relationship. When Theo is in, he’s definitely all in and the same with Jace. And the resolution? Beautifully done. Seriously this is a fantastic story and if you love couples overcoming the odds along with some adorable moments and some wake up calls, I think you’ll love it too!! Highly recommended!
SADONNA’S RATING: 
KAT’S REVIEW:
Oh my goodness gracious I couldn’t set this down and read straight through from beginning to end! It was that good!
Jace Li is just a boring middle school history teacher. At least that is what his piece-of-scum ex has convinced him of. Now he’s trying to put himself out there by meeting up with a guy on Grindr. Theo Jameson, über rich, gorgeous and successful CEO Billionaire is so deeply in the closet that his only sexual partners are paid escorts that sign NDA’s before they meet. All that changes when a chance mistaken identity happens at a posh hotel restaurant. But can a cute, sweet teacher and a sexy-as-sin closeted billionaire, that both have so much to lose if certain people find out, make it together with all this hanging over them?
Ms. Lacy knocked it out of the stratosphere with this one for me. I loved the secret meet-ups and role-play. I loved that both men began to realize that the other was more important to them than just casual, hot sex. I loved that they were willing to give so much up to be able to actually be together. And I simple loved how vulnerable they became. I loved both these guys and wanted nothing more than Theo’s homophobic piece of crap father to go down for all the trouble and pain he caused.
This book is full of great supporting characters. First is Jace’s best friend and fellow teacher Kieran. He truly loves Jace in a purely platonic way. I can’t wait for his and the principal’s story. I am betting that’s going to be a steamy one too!
I truly loved the love and caring between Theo and his nephew Gideon. I loved that Theo had put his wants/needs aside for so long to make sure he made Gideon feel as loved and cared for as his brother had done for him. By the end I could see why Theo had been so devastated by his brother’s death. Gil had been the parent that his parents never were. He had to be that for Gideon. I am really hoping that we get Gideon and Nicky’s story someday too.
I can’t express how well written and loving this story was. It hit all my feels and I didn’t want it to end. I love a “winning over all odds” kind of book and this one was fabulous! I can’t recommend it enough. It just did it for me 💕 One of my most favorite books of the year!
KAT’S RATING: 
BUY LINK: