Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Revolving Door

SERIES:  Open Doors

AUTHOR:  Vinni George

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  270 pages

RELEASE DATE:  December 18, 2021

BLURB:

Fletcher Morgan doesn’t like a single thing about Archer Waverly—not his pretty face, his wicked wit, or his perfect body. He especially hates the way Archer flirts with anyone and everyone. Everything about Archer reminds Fletcher of someone from his past he would much rather forget.

Archer thought Fletcher could be the silver fox of his dreams…until Fletcher opened his mouth and told Archer exactly how he felt about him. Now Archer is more than happy to rile Fletcher up and accept the consequences. Sparks fly every time they see each other proving hate is as potent as lust and enemies with benefits just might be hotter than friends with benefits.

When an unfortunate incident involving Archer’s aging drag queen housemate brings Archer and Fletcher together, they realize there might be more to the other than meets the eye and maybe there really is a thin line between love and hate.

Revolving Door is the second full-length novel in the Open Doors series featuring a slightly surly silver fox surf shop owner who refuses to fall in love again, a (mostly) reformed flirt who has never been in love, and a fabulous aging drag queen who has a penchant for platforms.

REVIEW:

Note:  This story takes place in parallel to much of the action in the previous books in the series, Hold the Door and Door Number Two so there are major spoilers for those books, but it can work as a standalone.  However, I recommend reading the first two books because the are so enjoyable 🙂

Fletcher is a grump surf shop owner who has no interest in a relationship.  He went through an awful divorce, left his job in San Francisco and moved to San Diego to surf and run his own business.  His one friend – if you can call him that – is Sam, a business guy who helps him with teaching surfing lessons out of the shop.  In the spring, when Fletcher decided to check out Sam’s progress with his boyfriend and check out his latest surfing lesson, he meets Archer.  Archer is the brother of Sam’s latest student and his “work husband.” Archer is also an incorrigible flirt and waaaaaay too much like Fletcher’s ex. So it’s pretty much hate a first sight – or at least first word when Archer comes on the Fletcher.  He insists that there isn’t one single thing he likes about Fletcher.

Fletcher and Archer don’t see each other again until later in the summer.  There is a rather heated kiss that takes place at the 4th of July.  It’s obvious that these two haven’t forgotten about each other.  Then there is another meeting at the beach.  But they are clear this isn’t going to be a thing.  Just sex.  When they next see each other at Friendsgiving with Sam and his boyfriend and some of their other friends, it’s clear the chemistry between them has not diminished the least little bit.  Their enemies with benefits continues 😉

Sam and Max, his boyfriend, are leaving to visit Max’s family over the holidays.  Archer is set to take care of things at their house.  But there is an emergency with Hank, Archer’s 69 year old drag queen housemate.  And Archer is beside himself.  The only person he can think to call is Fletcher.  When Fletcher discovers the state that Archer is in, he begins to realize that the flashes of the real Archer that he’s convinced himself that he wasn’t seeing are indeed real.  And that Archer feels things very deeply – under his playboy exterior.  He’s there for Hank despite his real fears and Fletcher wants to be there for both of them.  Archer for his part, begins to see another side of Fletcher.  As they move through the holidays caring for Hank and working together to get everything done, they get closer and closer and begin to understand that this isn’t just sex, but that is waaaay more to what is between them.  If only they can be honest and brave enough to share their worries, fears, feelings and desire, they just may have something worthwhile and lasting.

Oh this story is sooooo swoon-worthy.  Both of these men have deep seated fears and insecurities.  I just wanted to alternately hug and slap them both.  Archer has had to deal with the treatment from his family that he isn’t enough because he’s not followed the “family business” of medicine.  Fletcher has also had to deal with his family not supporting him either and siding with another sibling and that has caused an irrevocable rift.  From the get-go they invoke strong feelings in each other – just not what they perhaps intended.  Fletcher is convinced that Archer is just a shallow flirt and manwhore – a facade that Archer has carefully cultivated.  He has no interest in anyone getting close to him and while he likes sex, he doesn’t want nor has he ever been in a relationship.  Fletcher has no interest in letting someone get close enough to have them hurt him again after the horrific betrayal he has experienced.  (Honestly, I wanted those culprits punished a lot more which they don’t seem to have been at all!)  Although I guess in this case, the best revenge is living well 😀

When Fletcher does come to Archer’s rescue, it’s nothing either of them expected and Archer is embarrassed to show any perceived weakness to Fletcher, but he really does need help.  Fletcher for his part, finally figures out that the glimpses he’s seen of the man under the mask is the real Archer – and he’s nothing like the flippant flirty persona he shows the rest of the world.  This allows Fletcher to share his past as well.  It also lets him start to finally let go of the pain and bitterness that have consumed him for the better part of three years.

The heart of the story is the growth of Archer and Fletcher.  They go from lone wolves with very thick walls to men who are brave enough to share their vulnerabilities.  With the right encouragement from friends, they take huge risks in showing their true selves to each other.  Turns out there is a fine line between love and hate, especially when that hate is based on projection 😉  I loved seeing all the characters from the first two books, as well as the new secondary characters introduced here – particularly Hank, Archer’s housemate and Vi, Archer’s sister.  These are the two people who really do care for the real Archer.  Fletcher’s change from grump Gus to loving partner was a joy to watch unfold.  I just couldn’t have been happier with the way these two moved forward with their lives.  I know there is at least one more book in this series, and I cannot wait.  Each book has been a joy to read.  Highly recommended!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

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