Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Ember is a drop-dead gorgeous Las Vegas escort. He notices Alejandro in some of the classes he teaches at his side business—a yoga studio. Then, color-blind Alejandro further captures Ember’s attention when he’s momentarily blinded by a quick change in light and needs Ember’s help at a club. What Ember doesn’t expect is the way Alejandro touches his heart.

Alejandro never intended to develop feelings for Ember. He’s in Las Vegas for a year to sow some wild oats. But Alejandro quickly sees more in Ember when he sets out to make some of Alejandro’s dreams come true—including a trip to the Grand Canyon and the beaches of LA. Alejandro’s wild oats could turn into something memorable.

Ember knows keeping his escort job from Alejandro isn’t the right thing to do, but he wants to be liked for who he is. Alejandro keeps his own secrets for the same reason. But Alejandro’s family obligations, along with Ember’s profession, could make it impossible for the two of them to stay together—unless they can figure out how to make the most of the gifts they’ve been given.

 

Book Review

The second story in this series about Las Vegas escorts focuses on Ember, a man of Native American heritage who was rejected by his parents when he came out and has worked hard to get an education and build a life. He is content with where he is, even if being an escort is hard on his inner peace. But the he meets Alejandro, a man with secrets of his own, and Ember begins to not just see the potential downside of being an escort, but also to feel it. The story that follows is an emotional roller coaster as both men fear to reveal who they really are, only to find themselves opening up to each other anyway. And once that happens, emotions deepen quickly to the point where they want more – except they can see no way of making it happen. I was more on tenterhooks than when reading ‘The Gift’, and I didn’t think that was possible. Andrew Grey kept me in suspense until the very last chapter, making the gifts Ember and Alejandro had for each other even more worthwhile.

Ember is at the top of his game. His clients desire him, he keeps himself fit and ready for pretty much anything, and he has recently bought a yoga studio because he realizes he can’t be a escort forever. Not that he plans to quit by any means, but he knows it’s coming, especially after Hunter leaves the business to be with his lover Grant. Yoga has helped him relax and center himself, and he is good at teaching it, so it’s a great fit. When he meets Alejandro, everything begins to unravel. Ember realizes he wants more with this man, and his job is beginning to bother him – as well as stand in the way of a deeper relationship with Alejandro. It almost tears Ember apart as much as the fact that being with Alejandro is a dream that will never come true. Will it?
 
Alejandro is running from a confining home environment, cold parents, and a future  full of responsibilities he doesn’t want. He knows he will have to go back home to his real life at some point, but he has negotiated a year of freedom, and he is going to use it. He didn’t count on running into someone like Ember – someone who captures his heart and, for once, doesn’t seem to be after him for his money or position. Being loved for who he is as a man, rather than his public persona, is a big thing for Alejandro, and even the fact that Ember didn’t tell him what he does for a living cannot stop Alejandro from falling ever deeper. The pain he feels when he returns to his home almost destroys him, and he begins to realize that he is no good to anyone unless he is happy. But how can he make things work?

If you like stories about men whose fate it seems to be to fall in love only never to see each other again, if a case of hidden identity that leads to almost-tragedy is your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is as emotionally raw and heartbreaking as it is sweet and wonderful, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do. It almost tore me apart as I watched Ember and Alejandro struggle, their fairy tale ending was all the better for it.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 220 pages/81090 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	10-August-2015
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-gift-by-andrew-grey-5857-b