Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Let it Breathe
SERIES: Queens Crescent #5
AUTHOR: Kristian Parker
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 216 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2023
BLURB:
Simon Harrington has two great loves, the first being his son, Luca, and the second, wine. As a premier importer, Simon has built a business that allows him to live on Queens Crescent, one of London’s most exclusive addresses. Yet that life is under threat—one of Simon’s main clients has gone bust.
When Simon’s ex-wife nags him to find a man and stop hiding behind their son, Simon feels change is in the air. And when he meets Rodrigo Costa at a party, everything turns upside down. This man is the most gorgeous hunk Simon has ever laid eyes on. Even better, it appears nightclub owner Rodrigo could be the answer to Simon’s business woes.
The chemistry between them is off the scale from the first moment they meet. However, Simon soon discovers Rodrigo is running from his own demons. Simon will have to let his guard down completely to find the happiness he craves. Is he brave enough to do that?
REVIEW:
Note: This is the fifth book in this series. As such, it does contain major spoilers for the previous books. That being said it’s not required to have read the previous books although I do recommend them all and they set the stage for a number of the common supporting characters in this story.
Simon is a single dad and a wine importer. His son Luca is the light of his life. He and his ex-wife Phoebe have gotten to a good place. He hurt her when he realized he was gay and that their life wouldn’t be what she envisioned. Now Phoebe is encouraging him to get out there and stop hiding behind their son. She has remarried and she really does want Simon to be happy.
Simon goes to a book event where he’s supplied the wine. He meets an intriguing man there – Rodrigo Costa. Rodrigo is getting ready to open a private club. Simon’s biggest customer abruptly closed leaving him with a large hole to file. Rodrigo is going to need a supplier for his exclusive club – a perfect fit for Simon.
When Simon suggests a South African winery that he’s been involved with, the owner invites him and Rodrigo to visit the winery. Simon is a bit nervous – he’s not dated a lot and he’s had some spectacularly bad dates too – especially getting a lot of flack for a) having been married to a woman and b) having a child. He’s very upfront with Rodrigo, but Rodrigo wants to go. They have a really good time but after things get physical, Rodrigo withdraws.
Simon can’t figure out what is going on with them. Once again it’s Phoebe who pushes him. He and Rodrigo start seeing each other regularly. They even have an outing with Luca that goes really well. But Rodrigo has his own issues. His family dynamic is problematic and it’s messed him up a bit. When Simon meets his family in Lisbon after a emergency requires a quick trip, he sees it live and in person. Simon is not one for games and he feels like they are too different to make a go of it and Rodrigo’s family wants him back in Lisbon.
In the end, Simon and Rodrigo struggle with communicating and being on the same page, as it were. Luckily for them, Simon’s friends and family, the are very convincing in getting him to change his mind and give things a real go.
I will admit I got a little tired of Simon going back and forth in this, but it’s very true to his character. As the story went on, I found myself rooting for both of these men who have been hurt and abandoned in life – either intentionally or not. Simon in particular has had a lot of difficulty in speaking up for himself. He learns that he’s going to have to do that if he wants to move forward. Rodrigo has a lot of growing up to do to and he has to deal with a family who “thinks they know best.” Then there is the little enclave of Queens Crescent. They also play a part in supporting Simon and getting him out there again. these two don’t have an easy road but it’s really worth it. Plenty of steam on the way to this HEA as well 😉 This is a super series and I recommend all the books 🙂
RATING: 
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