Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Taking the Body
SERIES: Watkins Glen Gladiators
AUTHOR: V.L. Locey
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 193 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2023
BLURB:
One’s from Flushing, New York, the other from Ambroise, France. Worlds, wit, and passions are about to collide!
Phil Greco is that player that every opponent and their fanbase hates but secretly wishes played for their team. Greck is a mouthy guy, high-spirited, and able to tweak nerves with relative ease. Having grown up with a large family he’d learned early that you had to fight for what you wanted. This is how a short, undrafted guy from Flushing made it as far as he had. It had taken no small amount of bull&*#*, grit, and plenty of wit. Generally that wit and grit was enough to get him on the top of the pileup but that’s not the case with Henri Gaudion, owner of Gaudion Winery. Ever since they’d met sparks have flown, and for the life of him, Phil cannot understand what it is about the suave, well-dressed, handsome French vintner that makes him so edgy. They have nothing in common aside from a love of Watkins Glen, so why does he keep finding himself so drawn to the lean man with the rapier wit? Sure, he was pretty, and did keep him on his toes, but Phil’s not the kind of fella to be drawn to such a fancy pants rich boy. How stupid would it be to think that a hoodlum like him could ever catch a man like Henri? Not that he wanted to catch the stuck-up winemaker…
Henri Gaudion has no time for shenanigans or those who engage in them, especially boorish braggarts on skates. Yes, he enjoys the game of hockey and having the Gladiators hockey team and the local gentry at his chalet overlooking Seneca Lake every Sunday for brunch, but that’s solely for keeping up appearances. Since the death of his father, he has devoted his life to ensuring the lands bequeathed to him produce the finest wines and champagne in the Finger Lakes district. Henri is a lonely, heartbroken man when the blinds are drawn and the erudite mask is dropped. He also has no room in his life for rowdy little men with bright smiles, cheeky winks, and heavily accented, fanciful tales about his large Italian family back in, of all places, Flushing. The pull that he’s feeling for Phil Greco must be some sort of glitch, or perhaps he’s been spending too much time in the tasting rooms. Whatever the reason, he is not about to let his attraction to Phil grow. It would be impossible for two such incompatible men to fall in love. Wouldn’t it?
Taking the Body is a low-angst, opposites attract queer hockey romance with a mouthy hockey player, a refined vintner, a whole lot of forced proximity, on-ice action, evenings spent sipping wine, a nosy butler, even nosier teammates, a large loving family, and a perfectly aged happy ending.
REVIEW:
Note: There are some spoilers here for the previous books in the series, but this can be read as a standalone.
Philip Greco is spending some time in Queens in the offseason. He’s working on finishing a car restoration. He gets a call that his apartment in Watkins Glen has flooded. When he returns, it actually way worse. It’s unlivable. He needs a place to say. The local pastor has an idea! It’s summer and all the rentals are taken, so perhaps local vintner, French born Henri can host Philip at his chateau/chalet.
These two couldn’t be more opposite. Philip has lived a hardscrabble life. He’s fought and clawed for all he has. He takes care of his mother and doesn’t spend money on himself. Henri has inherited his wealth from his parents and he must live up to the family name. He’s distant from his homophobic family in France and his butler/valet Barnaby and his cook are his family. He runs the successful winery and that is really his family.
Henri also has a bit of a secret. Only Barnaby is aware of his situation. Henri has kept himself away from others because he has been rejected in the past after revealing his status. He doesn’t want to ever be a burden. But the longer Philip, who never is quiet, is around the more jealous he becomes of Philip spending time with other potential partners. His jealousy becomes explosive until they come together in an inferno!
When they do finally come together, there are still misunderstandings. They come from such different worlds. Henri is so careful with his heart that he almost misses out on what’s in front of him.
Well this just might be my favorite in this series. There is so much humor and light despite some fairly heavy topics also. Both of these men have lost parents. One struggles with his family while the other is surrounded by loud, nosy, and possibly meddling family. They could not have more different backgrounds. Yet when they come together – well it’s explosive. Henri has shut himself off from people. He doesn’t want to be a burden. That has made him lonely and well maybe a little bitter. His servants are his family. They have been with him forever and love him like a son/nephew. Phil can’t figure out why the chemistry is so off the charts.
There are so many hilarious and heartfelt moments in this story. All hail Fran Drescher and The Nanny! I adored all the of the secondary characters, but particularly Henri’s found family. Phil is such a genuine guy. He is a bit blindsided by his strong feelings for Henri and feeling a bit inadequate as well. I really loved how these two figured out what they needed. Really I found this romance a real gem. I just love an opposites attract, frenemies to lover trope and this one is a perfect example of why. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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