Reviewed by Ro

TITLE: Sizzling Sydney Nights

SERIES: Passport to Pleasure

AUTHOR:  Gabbi Grey

PUBLISHER: The Wild Rose Press, Inc

LENGTH: 117 pages

RELEASE DATE:  November 11, 2024

BLURB:

Sam

I’ve enjoyed showcasing Sydney’s architecture, food, and culture for tourists for almost ten years. I keep a nice professional distance, but one hot American guy has me breaking all the rules.

Levi

I researched the hell out of Sydney, Australia, before writing my most recent bestseller, but never saw it in person. Now I’m getting called out for the things I got wrong. I’m here to learn more about the city, but my tour guide’s the one I really want to explore. Good thing I know Sam would never fall for a client, or it might be hard to leave.

REVIEW:

Levi made what was to me an innocent mistake. He is a big time mystery writer and he set a book in Australia. He researched it but he didn’t actually go there. For this, he was basically crucified in the press, to the point he was worried his publishing house was going to drop him. I admit, I’ve caught mistakes in books before and never felt the need to vilify the author, but that’s me. Even Levi himself, admitting he should have done better, is wondering why him. “Seriously, I was one little author with a small market share. Why a Sydney reported had decided to eviscerate my book and my lack of knowledge of Sydney was beyond me.” Me, too, Levi, but people do weird things. To remedy the situation, he is taking a last-minute tour of Sydney with Sam’s company. “Without a successful rehabilitation attempt, though, I might as well flush my career down the toilet.”

Sam’s tours include the touristy things, but also things that are inherently Australian. They visit the big spots, they dine on roasted kangaroo and yellow yams, they climb the falls. It actually made me even more anxious to see Australia myself.

I felt for Levi. His mom was all he had and she died five years prior. “Mom used to buy travel magazines for a buck apiece at the thrift store, and we’d pore over them. I’d sworn I would take her to all those places.” Except she passed before he made any kind of commercial success, so now it’s just him.

Sam and Levi hit it off right away, with Sam knowing Levi is hiding something but he’s a great guy and doesn’t push. There is a mishap caused by another of the tour members, who I didn’t love except I completely understood her reaction. “Isobel scremed again, then continued to carry on…” Yes, maam, I got that one! But in the process, Levi gets hurt and Sam offers to take care of him. That really jump starts their connection and it’s pretty insta-love, so be aware of that.

I liked the big romantic gesture, and even more so when it puts a smarmy broadcaster in his place. This is a sweet story with some great descriptions of Australia, although the Marmite I could have done without!

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon