Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Change My Ticket
AUTHOR: Zarah Detand
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 243 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 30, 2023
BLURB:
Hollywood heartthrob meets med school dropout in this contemporary British MM romance.
When your key credential is looking good in spandex, your first serious role matters. Too bad that Gabe Duke can’t seem to get a proper handle on the molecular biologist he’s meant to portray. A chance meeting with a young researcher feels like the perfect opportunity to learn more about life in a lab, especially when that researcher seems blessedly ignorant of Gabe’s spot on lists like Hollywood’s Hottest Men Under 25.
Ray Fadil should learn how to refuse a dare. Being caught with his hand in the till—or appropriating university property for an early Halloween display, as the case may be—isn’t how he wanted his Sunday to go. But rather than landing in hot water, he finds himself with an unlikely ally who’s more interested in Ray’s experience with cell proliferation than in ratting him out. Meeting the guy for a coffee seems like a fair trade, especially since he’s rather easy on the eyes.
It’s the fast start of an unlikely friendship. There’s attraction too, though famous Gabe is hesitant to admit that Ray just might be boyfriend material—he’s not about to give an industry outsider a guided tour of his closet.
At least not until a forced outing pushes him to take shelter at Ray’s flat.
True love trumps fame in this smart, slow-burn gay romance featuring secrets, twists and turns, picnicking skeletons, a family Christmas, meddling friends, and two guys from different worlds who, with a little nudge in the right direction, may just find their happily ever after.
REVIEW:
Ray is a lab worker having dropped out of Med School after some family difficulties. On a dare, he’s in the lab one Sunday and a guy is poking around and finds him. In payment for the guy’s silence, he agrees to help him with some “research”. Gabe, the guy, is a newly minted movie star and he’s thrilled that Ray doesn’t know who he is 🙂 He needs help getting into his role for a movie about the discovery of the makeup of DNA. He takes Ray up on his offer to meet at Ray’s apartment to discuss and it doesn’t hurt that Ray is gorgeous too. Too bad Gabe is in the closet.
Ray finds out that Gabe is a movie star and things are a bit weird. But they are friends first and he does want to help Gabe. Ray is pretty closed off – largely due to a previously abusive ex and he has been living with his best mates trying to get ahead a little. Once he discovers Gabe is a star, well he feels a little strange about going to his hotel to help him, but they continue to text and chat.
When Gabe’s family betray him, he shows up at Ray’s and things change. Now Ray is the one who offers stability. And a family Christmas. But Gabe and Ray are falling in love and the timing is not great – for either of them. Ray’s convinced that Gabe is not only out of his league but his universe. Despite Gabe’s telling and showing Ray that he’s what he wants, Ray struggles to believe him. In the end, Ray is going to have to get past his insecurities if he wants to be with Gabe and make a go of it.
Overall I enjoyed this story. The two MCs definitely come from different worlds. Ray has had some issues in his past – with an abusive and closeted ex who took advantage of him and with some family issues. He is still missing his father and feeling guilt over not being able to save him. Gabe has been discarded by his family and he’s still in the closet because of his career and not wanting to be known for his sexuality rather than his talent. He really likes Ray, but he hasn’t been 100% honest with him. When it all goes to hell though, he reaches out to Ray first and that has to mean something right? Ray’s family is wonderful and provides a haven for Gabe when everything seems out of control and spending Christmas with a real family is something he hasn’t had in a long time. But Ray’s ex and the possibility of dragging Ray into his drama leaves Ray in a panic and Gabe isn’t able to persuade him to believe in them. Ray’s family and best mates are the ones who finally seem able to get through to Ray that he’s worthy of love and deserves to be happy. Gabe hasn’t been able to move and on and Ray’s overture is just what he needs. This is a difficult HEA, but worth it. Not a lot of new territory covered here, but I enjoyed the writing and Ray and Gabe’s journey. Recommended.
RATING: 
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