Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Always Eli

SERIES: Forever Love (Book 1)

AUTHOR: Charlie Novak

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 279 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 23, 2021

BLURB:

What happens when a sassy drag queen falls for his brother’s best friend?

Eli Baker needs a job. Drag isn’t paying the bills and the life of a starving artist isn’t as fun when he’s the one living it. Taking a temporary office job is meant to be a quick fix. It’s not supposed to reintroduce him to the funny, sharp, and sweet Tristan Rose… who just so happens to be Eli’s oldest brother’s best friend.

Eli can’t stand his brother, and the feeling is more than mutual. Getting involved with Tristan could mean family trouble, but Eli’s never been one for following the rules, especially when breaking them means annoying his brother.

Tristan is far too intriguing to ignore, especially when he takes an interest in Eli’s life outside the office. He’s not at all what Eli expects, and maybe that’s exactly what Eli needs. But if push comes to shove, will Tristan choose Eli over his best friend?

Always Eli is a 78,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring fabulous drag shows, secret biscuits, an office romance, and numerous siblings who can’t help getting involved.

REVIEW:

Another new-to-me author that really caught my heart.

Eli Baker is the fabulous Bitch Fit, talented Drag Queen at The Court. Eli is also broke. And he also has a first-class law degree from the University of Leeds that chooses not to use it. He is naturally extremely bright but being on stage dressed in drag is who he truly is. So, to be able to support himself (and eat) he gets a job as a temporary admin assistant at a high end real estate office for the next year. The pay works for him and he can still do his passion in the evenings and on the weekends so he isn’t selling himself out as badly to the greedy corporate world. Then the only drawback presents himself. Tristan Rose has been his big brother Richard’s best friend since they were young. The “Dick”ish brother who is always telling Eli that he isn’t living to his full potential. And now he has to work daily, for the next year, with Tristan. But what happens if the two men become friendly and bond  over coffee, tea and a secret tin of biscuits?

I fell for both these men hook, line and sinker. First Eli, whom I truly wish I could watch preform his Bitch Fit act of song, dance and a bit of bitchy sarcasm. The Court definitely sounds like my kind of place to frequent. But what really got to me was, though he seems so strong he discovers that he not only needs but deserves Tristan. And poor, sweet Tristan. Everyone sees how beautiful and wonderful the shy man is but Eli is the one to bring him out of his shell. I loved the dynamic and chemistry that these two had. They just fit together so perfectly and complimented the other to make them shine. And I loved Eli’s eclectic family. His brothers loved being up in his business but really just loved and supported Eli.

I can’t wait to hear the other brother’s stories. I’m thankful that, with Tristan’s guidance, Eli and Richard could finally stop the constant bickering and start to mend. And I hope that we get to see Eli and Tristan’s engagement and wedding in the following books. A Drag Queen wedding…what could be more fabulous? Couldn’t you just see Miss Violet Bucket officiating their wedding? What a hoot that would be! Maybe a novella of these??? And I do hope that we get Orlando, Eli’s roommate, and his two men’s story too!

I truly loved this book and can’t wait for more of the series. I mean who could go wrong with a series called Forever Love? They will be a must-read for me!

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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