Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Himbo

SERIES:  Elite 8 Studios

AUTHOR:  Emmy Sanders

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  298 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 30, 2023

BLURB:

Surely I can’t fail at falling in love?

Cas
No one ever told me I might meet the love of my life on my knees in a coffee shop.

I’m not one of those people who has everything figured out. I work at my dad’s company because it’s expected, not because I enjoy it. And I may film adult videos at Elite 8 Studios in my free time, but when it comes to my love life, I’m tired of being treated like a plaything.

Jason is different. The blushing barista is demisexual, and unlike most people, he doesn’t care about what’s on the outside. He’s sweet and shy and surprisingly fierce when it comes to me, and for the first time ever, I feel seen.

But Jason has battles of his own beyond graduating nursing school. His health is in question, and suddenly, we have bigger issues than navigating a new relationship.

I never denied being a Himbo, but there’s one thing I know for certain. I’ll go to bat for Jason and me. Because love is worth fighting for.

Himbo is a romance full of first times between a sweetly sincere adult entertainer and the demi virgin who protects him at all costs. There’s a shocking meet-cute, dates that go only somewhat awry, a dash of humor, the best of friends, and one very HEA. It’s book four in the Elite 8 Studios series but can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW:

Note:  This is the fourth in this series and contains some spoilers for the first three books.

Cas is a performer with Elite 8 studios.  He’s making friends with his coworkers at the studio.  He’s stopped dating six months earlier because he had a pretty bad breakup with a guy who didn’t want to be seen with him and was cruel and callous in his breakup email!  Then he sees Jason, an adorable and shy barista at Hype, a local coffeehouse.  Cas is intrigued.  He asks the barista, Jason, to go out with him.  Jason is stunned 🙂

Cas and Jason go out.  They have a good time but Jason is still a bit shy and nervous.  He has a few things that he keeps close to the vest.  First his sexuality is not necessarily what anyone assumes.  Secondly, he’s a full-time nursing student as well as a barista.  Thirdly, he’s lost his father and that loss has a lot of impact on Jason and his life.

Surprisingly to Jason, he really likes Cas.  Jason has only really been attracted to two people.  He never had any kind of sexual relationship with either of them.  It takes him some time and an emotional connection to experience sexual attraction.  He shares that with Cas and Cas is not put off by it!  (There is a hilarious misunderstanding scene that really is a doozy!)  Once they are on the same page, they begin dating a couple of times a week since Jason has limited time given his schedule.   Cas is ok with going at Jason’s speed.  He’s shocked that Jason actually seems to really see him.

When Jason finds out how Cas has been treated and how he sees himself, he’s pretty unhappy.  He sees Cas’s big heart.  He sees Cas’s level of consideration for everyone else.  He also sees Cas making himself miserable to make other people happy.  When he expresses this to Cas, well things between them change.  And Jason realizes that he really does have an emotional connection to Cas and he desires him!  Whodathunkit?

Brad, Jason’s best friend is so happy for his bestie.  Jason has never had this type of relationship before and he’s shocked now by how much he wants Cas.  Their emotional connection makes their physical relationship that much more steamy.  But there is a cloud hanging over Jason. He’s reluctant to tell Cas because he’s just finally found his person and he’s worried that his big secret will change that and Cas will leave him.  He should realize that isn’t who Cas is though 😉

Oh these two!!  I was so wanted to give Cas the biggest hug.  He’s such a sweetheart.  He’s not had any luck in love.  He’s a gorgeous guy and he has really had a very privileged upbringing.  But he’s not very happy with where he is in life.  He’s so busy trying to not disappoint anyone that he’s not ignored his own desires.  He’s making his parents happy.  He’s making his siblings happy.  He’s making the people who date and use him happy also.  But at the end of the day, he is coming to the point where he can make changes in his life and go after the desires he’s put aside.  Jason is his biggest fan – his cheerleader.  Cas is in awe of Jason.  He admires that he’s doing something with his life to help others.  This is something that Cas himself wants to do but he’s put it aside. He’s worried about his family’s reaction, but in the end they love him and they want him to be happy with his life.

The supporting cast, including the Elite 8 “family” and Jason’s family and friends as well as Cas’s family play a big role in supporting these two guys.  I really loved Brad and of course it was wonderful to see all the guys at the studio – especially Dixon, Niko and Alex.  They really are a true family in the real sense of the word.  I really loved how Cas and Jason learned to communicate and be there for each other.  The love between them was so poignant.  This is just a really good love story and I so was there for their HEA.  Highly recommended.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

Amazon