Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Stray for You
SERIES: Rainbow Rescue Cat Café
AUTHOR: F.A. Ray
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 243 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2024
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REVIEW:
Note: This is the third in this series and there are major spoilers for the previous books. That being said, it can work as a standalone.
I really enjoyed this story! This is the book in this series but it also has some crossover from the author’s Boyfriend Cafe series as well. The setting here moved back and forth from NJ/Manhattan where Julian still lives/works and Seattle where Cam and his mother moved to after he finished college. Julian and Cam never got along when hey were teenagers and their mothers were dating after Cam’s father took off. Cam wasn’t interested in a new family or a new “brother” as Julian liked to cast himself. Julian was all about getting Cam’s attention – any way he could. Normally that was sarcasm, banter and teasing. Can was not pleased. He couldn’t wait to get away. When his mother and Julian’s mother broke up, they never saw each other after college graduation.
Julian is in pharmaceutical sales. And he’s good at it. Cameron is a musician playing with a band and also working at the Rainbow Rescue Cat Cafe in a small town in Washington, north of Seattle. He and his mother have moved there and his mother lives with his aunt and things are going OK. Cam has his own apartment and his music and he’s getting by. He liked the band well enough and his music is his outlet. Then Julian shows up completely out of the blue. They haven’t been in contact for years and suddenly there he is. In the cafe. He’s kept in touch with Henry, one of Cam’s coworkers at the cafe that is a mutual friend. Cam is not interested. Julian still pushes his buttons. Then he shows up at Cam’s gig. WTH??
Cam is not pleased to see Julian. Then Julian kisses him. Cam is stunned. So much so that he kisses him back. Wha . . . ??? Julian texts him and they get together again. And this leads to more. How is this happening? Julian clearly wants Cam. Badly. But why is Cam giving in? Turns out there is a little history there than has never been addressed. Julian can’t keep his mind off of Cam. He doesn’t know what this is, but he doesn’t want it to end. But he’s only in town for a week. Will they get whatever this is out of their systems while he’s in town for his conference? Spoiler Alert! NOPE!
Things change. Both guys have grown up and this is something completely different to when they were teenagers. But are they willing to take a risk? Can Cam come to terms with the past? Can Julian? You’ll have to read it to find out 😉
I am really liking this series! I loved the guys who work at the cat cafe. I liked seeing the previous couples and am looking forward to the next one. Julian and Cam have changed a lot but they still have baggage. They both need to try some honesty – with each other, but most importantly with themselves. There is stuff from the past that Cam has to get over. He’s super protective of his mom and he’s been holding on to a lot that he rally neds to let go. I liked how the relationship evolved and they faced their earlier selves and figured out how to move forward. Oh, and there is plenty of steam 🙂 Nice addition to this series and I can definitely recommend this second chances romance!
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