Reviewed by True
TITLE: Resisting the Dream
SERIES: Everyone’s Mechanic #3
AUTHOR: Ann Marie James
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 233 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 14, 2021
BLURB:
Can two overachievers discover how to make love work?
Nikolai is the fun-loving, flamboyant cousin of Sergei Barinov. He doesn’t know a lot about cars but is happy working as the desk person at Everyone’s Mechanic while he completes his doctorate in finance and accounting. While his parents never accepted who he was, he at least had Cousin Sergei’s family to love and support him. Comfortable in his own skin, he dresses according to his mood, which could be a skirt and makeup or sweatpants. He has crushed on Brandon since he met him but has never been able to be around him without doing something embarrassing. He would love a chance to show Brandon that he’s not just style without substance.
Brandon began interning with Sergei’s company in college and has since worked his way up to be his right-hand man. He is very regimented, likes his routines and needs to stay focused to complete his many duties for Sergei. Brandon is also balancing secretly raising his now-fifteen-year-old brother. He has watched from afar as Nikolai went from being a gangly, awkward teenager to a stunning adult. Brandon might wish he could take the time to get to know Nikolai better, but he doesn’t feel he can add one more thing to his already-full plate.
When Sergei tasks the pair to work together to plan an LGBTQ youth center, sparks fly. Will they decide to take a chance—or will outside forces ruin the possibility before they can even get started?
Reader advisory: This book makes references to addiction, alcohol, attempted violence and drug use.
REVIEW:
While I found the story lovely, there are extendedly written passages about family matters, for me, it was a bit too. Sorry to say it got even a bit boring, I wanted action with Nikolai and Brandon. Instead, there were stories about family and teenagers.
Nikolai and Brandon’s relationship went with an f1 speed, fast, faster, fastest. In no time they talked about adoption, and shared parenting. For me, it was way too fast. What about sharing stories about the past and present, before diving into a future.
Everything went smoothly, really everything, I missed some struggles, fights, arguments.
Okay, in the end, there was some struggle, but at that time there had to be happen something, or there wouldn’t be any excitement.
Brandon is twenty-eight and a solid character, living for his fifteen-year-old brother who he adopted after his mother disappeared out of their lives. For Brandon, there’s no time for relationships.
Nikolai is a colorful sparkling personality and in love with Brandon for years.
They both work for Sergei, Nikolai’s cousin. After Brandon understands Nikolai can be swept away by someone else, he has to make a move before it’s too late.
Nikolai is thrilled, finally, he can love Brandon. They fit perfectly.
The writing was most of the time engaging, with a sweet romance, the whole story was friendly, humane, only the pace with love and commitment was way too fast for my pleasure.
As I said, it’s a lovely story, with adorable characters but for me, also a story with side notes.
RATING: 
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