Book Reviews

Book Blurb

What would you give up for love?

Raziel Slade and Jack Hastings have been best friends since Raz saved Jack’s life twelve years ago. Jack has spent years searching for the perfect woman with the help of his wingman, Raz, the man he thinks of as his guardian angel. At a company Christmas party, the world Jack thought he knew turns on its axis, and feelings he didn’t know he had punch him right between the eyes. Can Jack learn to see his friend in an entirely different way?

 

Openly gay, Raz loves his best friend and has given up more than Jack will ever know to be with him, but he’s never dared to tell Jack how he truly feels, or to reveal his true identity. For twelve years, he has waited in the wings.

 

Now, with Jack’s sudden epiphany, can these two best friends work out if they have a future together?

 

Book Review

“... For every day good or bad you'll always be in my head. …You're everything I need and everything to me. ...This is why I love you, I've made a huge list. The list goes on forever and never will it end. Neither will our relationship you'll always be my friend.” - Love Poem by Katie

It is obvious to everyone, except Jack, that he and Raz of 'Not Every Time' by Alexa Milne are more than friends. Raz has been in love with Jack for a long time, but Jack seems to be oblivious. Jack either doesn't want to know or is afraid to know for fear of losing his best friend. Raz resigns himself to loving his straight best friend from afar, but unrequited love is a painful burden. Over the years, Raz has given up a lot in order to be with Jack and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon, if ever.

Jack agrees to go to his office Christmas party on the condition that Raz will go with him; Jack is so bad at small talk and is constantly afraid he will say or do something wrong when he is with a woman. Raz usually keeps the conversation going and puts Jack at ease. Raz reluctantly agrees although it makes his heart ache when he thinks of Jack finding someone to love. However, since he loves Jack so much, he wants him to be happy, even if it means Raz will eventually lose Jack.
 
At the party, Jack meets a recently single woman and they hit it off. Raz extricates himself from the situation and ends up with a handsome, but aggressive guy who makes no secret of his desire to get Raz in bed. Raz tolerates him, but isn't interested and turns his proposition down. When Raz looks back in Jack's direction to check on him, he has disappeared. When Raz arrives home, he's not at all prepared for the “greeting” he gets from Jack; he is furious, full of resentment, and quite obviously jealous! Raz is baffled by this new turn of events until he gets to the bottom of what flipped Jack out, when he's usually okay with Raz being with other men. Raz dares to wonder if Jack has finally figured out how much Raz loves him and, just possibly, might realize he loves him back. Christmas Miracles do happen.

This is a short, sexy, friends-to-lovers story that is entertaining and a tiny bit intriguing. Jack and Raz are so obviously good together that I was frustrated when Jack took Raz for granted, assuming he'd always be there, regardless. If you like Christmas wishes, best friends becoming lovers, a reminder to appreciate what you have, and that sometimes the thing we seek most is right under our noses, then you may enjoy this story. Thanks, Alexa, for the sexy men and for the nice helping of Christmas cheer.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 13308 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	15-December-2015
Price	$2.50 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/not-every-time