Reviewed by Valerie 

TITLE:  Strut

SERIES:  Style #2     

AUTHOR:  Jay Hogan

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  412 pages

RELEASE DATE:   

BLURB:   

New Zealand farm boy turns New York fashion model.
Fairy tale? Maybe. But it hasn’t been easy. A year in this crazy city, working my tail off just to survive in a ruthless industry where sex sells and boundaries are too readily crossed.

A year and a reassuring ocean away from Hunter Donovan—a sexy, humiliating mistake that I’m not about to repeat. Distance is good. Distance is safe.

But now Hunter is back. In New York. In my life. In all those treacherous feelings that haven’t gone anywhere. But when my world suddenly crashes and I have to piece myself back together and fight for my career, will Hunter be there when I need him? Will we have what it takes to make it through this, together?

Note: This book contains themes of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

REVIEW:   

Strut is so, so awesome! I liked it much more than Flare. I felt stronger chemistry between the leads and became more invested in their relationship.

Alec first appeared in Flare as a young model on his first gig walking the runway in Auckland Fashion Week for Rhys’ new label. Alec is thrilled that modeling is something he has a talent for, and something other than working on his family’s dairy farm. He’s scouted by a modeling agency in New York City so off he goes shortly after the show. But before he departs, he has a quickie with Hunter that doesn’t end well. Hunter is a renowned fashion photographer and Rhys’ best friend.

A year later, the men run into each other in New York. To Alec’s dismay he’s still over the moon for Hunter but experience tells him the photographer is just a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. He’s determined there will be no more hookups and no more broken hearts. Hunter doesn’t take no for an answer, though. He apologies profusely for the past hookup disaster. He hasn’t stopped thinking about him for the past year. He’s as equally smitten as Alec.

I love these two guys! Alec is a sweet and beautiful man, inside and out, who cares deeply about his friends. Hunter is the best kind of boyfriend: loving, loyal, romantic, and steadfast. He’s a rock when Alec faces terrible conflict that threatens his career. They have so much chemistry, as I mentioned before, and there’s a ton of sexual tension since they don’t fall back into bed right away.

The supporting cast includes Rhys and Beck, Alec’s best friend Tui, and his family in New Zealand. In New York there’s his friend Tim, a handful of other models, and a few villains who are so awful because of Hogan’s fine writing. And let’s not forget outrageous, fabulous Kip who saves the day. Each character adds something extra to the story.

Jay Hogan lets her readers in on the dark side of modeling as it pertains to male models, although I’m sure it’s similar for female models. It was enlightening and disgusting but also important that it was brought to light. Frankly, it’s nothing that ever occurred to me.

The epilogue – set six months later – is a great one, giving us a good look at the future Alec and Hunter have mapped out for themselves. Overall, this is a heartwarming, highly satisfying read, and a wonderful continuation of the Style series. Highly recommended.

RATING:

BUY LINK: 

Amazon