Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Hollywood
SERIES:
AUTHOR: DJ Jamison
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 342 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 5, 2026
BLURB:
Everyone calls me Hollywood because I look like a leading man, but I didn’t expect the starring role of single father….
When my ex-girlfriend, Carrie, is injured in an accident, I take sole custody of my two-year-old daughter overnight. I’ve wanted to be Ruby’s father for a long time, but my ex–and her family–haven’t forgiven me for going to prison.
This is my chance to get to know Ruby and prove that I’ve changed. I leap at the chance, even though I’ve got no idea what I’m doing.
Thankfully, my former best friend Tex shows up and sticks by me. He’s a natural with kids and instantly calms the panic setting in. One night of support turns into another and another. Bit by bit, Tex is moving into my life and making himself a second father to Ruby.
But he’s bailed on me before. Three months ago, he ran from the feelings growing between us. He couldn’t handle the idea of being bisexual.
Now he’s here, plucking all of my heartstrings and making me love him all over again. Ruby is head over heels, too. He’s everything I want in a partner. For me. For my daughter.
But will Tex return the love this time–or will he break both our hearts?
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second book in this series and contains spoilers for the first book.
Hollywood and Tex are best friends. But Hollywood wants more. He’s pretty sure that Tex does too, but when he kisses his best friend, Tex takes off. Like leaves town takes off. Goes back to his father who was instrumental in how he ended up in prison in the first place.
Tex is still dealing with misplaced guilt about always screwing up – going back to an injury when he was in High School that cost him an athletic scholarship. A scholarship that Tex’s dad assumed would lead to big things and Tex taking care of things for the rest of his life. He’s never let Tex forget it either. Same with Tex’s getting busted while trying to keep his dad’s failing business for going under. Again. Consistent theme. And convenient scapegoat.
When Hollywood’s ex Carrie is in a serious car accident with his daughter that he’s not been allowed to see, their friends call Tex and he comes running. He’s felt bad about how he ran off after that kiss. He just wasn’t ready to deal with his feelings. He knows he feels more for Hollywood than friendship but he never saw himself as anything but straight. Clearly that’s not true, but he’s still struggling. But once he rushes back to help his friend, he knows he’s going to have to be honest. He can’t spend this much time with Hollywood and his daughter Ruby and keep things in the friendzone.
Hollywood is still hurt by Tex’s abandonment, but he did know that he pushed too hard without confirming that they were on the same page. He regrets how things went down, but not his feelings. When Tex tells Hollywood he’s not going to leave again, he wants to believe it. But he’s not 100% convinced. The thing is, now there are two hearts involved – his and Ruby’s. Because she really takes to Tex. He’s got great instincts with kids having helped his sister with his niece and nephews. Tex is determined not to let Hollywood down this time.
Tex comes back to Redemption Road and gets a new job in the evenings at a local nursery/greenhouse. It’s experience he has and he’s determined to do the right thing. It’s evenings so he can help out with Ruby’s childcare during the day while Hollywood works his job at the barber shop. Their friends help them find a bigger place and his sister helps with a toddler bed and additional kid supplies. Things are going along pretty well. Until Tex’s dad shows up. Things had gotten pretty heated when Tex left to come back to help out Hollywood. His dad was not happy. Then he asks Tex for a favor. You know this isn’t going to end well.
Tex lets guilt cloud his judgement and he helps his dad to his own detriment. In the meantime, he’s trying to figure out coming out to their friends and being what Hollywood deserves in a partner. When his dad leaves him high and dry, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. Now he’s letting everyone down that he loves the most – Hollywood and Ruby. He doesn’t know where to turn. But it turns out he’s got a family he didn’t even realize would be there for him 🙂
Oh these two! I loved these two. Both of these guys were kind of short straw drawers in the family department. It’s really a shame that neither Hollywood’s parents nor Tex’s dad appreciated them for what great guys they really are. Honestly I wanted to punch Tex’s dad so much. I LOVED his sister Chastity though 🙂 The rest of the Redemption Road guys really stepped up though. They proved that found family can sometimes be better and more supportive then bio families. They came together when Hollywood needed them to help with Ruby after Carrie’s accident. Then they stepped up again when Tex was struggling. What a great bunch of guys. None of them are shirking their responsibilities and all are making amends as best they can for the mistakes they’ve made in the past. I can’t wait to see what comes next. I have a feeling that Joyride’s story is going to break our hearts. This is a really good series. Recommended.
RATING: 
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