Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Gaycation in Paradise
SERIES: Suite Dreams
AUTHOR: Ariella Zoelle
PUBLISHER: Sarayashi Publishing
LENGTH: 223 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 26, 2021
BLURB:
Aldo tries to play it cool when he works for his celebrity crush, but resisting the temptation to flirt with Rook is tough. Not falling in love with him is impossible.
Aldo Farnese
They always say don’t meet your idols, but I’m assigned to work as the live-in butler for Rook Warrick, the famous Hollywood action hero on the run from a scandal. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to act normal while fanboying about your secret celebrity crush when you’re in forced proximity with him and all of his powerful pheromones? It’s so hard, and I mean that in every sense of the word. Seriously, he is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. How can I resist my urges to take the chance of a lifetime at being with him?
Imagine my shock when I discover Rook missed his calling as the romantic lead in those cheesy rom-com movies my siblings adore. He’s so charming, wonderful, and thoughtful that he makes me swoon—and trust me, I am not the swooning type. My preference for quick-and-easy goes right out the window to drown in the blue lagoon outside our villa. He makes my heart want those happily ever afters I used to scoff at until I met him. Will he take me seriously when I say I have real feelings for him or think I’m just an immature kid who can’t handle commitment?
Rook Warrick
I never expected to feel like I didn’t have a single care in the world when my career is on the brink of disaster after a paparazzi video of me kissing my male co-star goes viral. But Aldo is a surprisingly perverted ray of sunshine who makes me laugh harder than I have in years. His laid-back attitude and quick wit make my forced banishment feel like I’m on a real vacation with a good friend…who I occasionally hook up with because he’s entirely too tempting to resist. Not to mention he’s very persuasive.
Aldo is the polar opposite of what I prefer in my partners: he’s eighteen years younger, a full foot shorter than me, and looks like he doesn’t have what it takes to keep me satisfied when I like a man to take control of my desires. But he unexpectedly ticks all my boxes, including a few new ones I didn’t even know I had. I have a long list of very valid reasons why it would be smart to keep my distance from him. But why should I let any of that stop me when I’ve fallen in love with him?
REVIEW:
Gaycation in Paradise is the fourth book in the series Suite Dreams by Ariella Zoelle. Aldo’s Story. Aldo is just an awesome character. He exudes lightheartedness and honesty all at the same time. His honesty doesn’t come with malice though, it is just who he is. He is the youngest of a brood of three. He is far away from home, working in another luxury resort much like the one at home. His own family owns one of these resorts but he felt the need to be on his own to find who he truly is, as an individual.
Rook Warrick had just outed himself by being caught on camera kissing a co-star during a party. Because he has hidden his true self for so long, he didn’t know what to do and per his team’s advise he hightailed it out to the Maldives to spend time there until all the buzz quiets down. He meets his live-in Butler, Aldo.
Although there is a significant age gap between the two MCs, it doesn’t really matter when it comes to their chemistry. I personally think that Aldo is just great when it comes to getting along with other people, no matter the age. His family is after all in the service industry, he grew up in such an environment. But he secretly adores Rook ever since forever, as a movie star. But now he gets the chance to actually get to know the real person behind the movie star persona.
The story is low-angst and full of sunshine and quick banter. I am a high-angst reader/lover but sometimes it is so refreshing to read something light, funny and smart. This is one of those books. The series is full of amazing characters and Aldo and Rook are among them. The age gap matter doesn’t really produce that much angst because I think in the grand scheme of things, it won’t really matter if you truly are in love with somebody. Being in love with the right person weighs so much more than age. Consider yourself lucky if you find the person for you in this life, do not make age a deciding factor because life is too short for it to matter at all.
Ms. Ariella Zoelle was a new-to-me author when I started reading this series but I have learned to expect high-quality work when it comes to her because this series is proof of what she can bring to the table. Congratulations Ms. Zoelle! I am looking forward to the next book and the next series.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: