Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Australian-born Montago Melon, “Tago” to all those who know him, has lived in a fantasy world since he was a kid. His heart is in Hollywood, and his family constantly accuse him of “California Dreamin’.” When his grandma dies and leaves him money, and his long-last aunt reaches out to him from California to offer him a job, he jumps at the chance of a new life, swimming pools, and movie stars. He soon learns, however, that some dreams come with a nasty aftertaste.

Byrne McCallum is California born and bred. Working for the dynamic Ondine Bartholomew in a hot new Hollywood set-salvaging company, he becomes immediately intrigued by Ondine’s latest employee, her naïve but super-smart nephew Tago.

Bad things happen to Tago the moment he lands at LAX, but Byrne plans to change the guy’s run of luck. He hasn’t felt this way about a man in a long time. Can they make a go of things? And better still, can they have a happy Hollywood ending?

 

Book Review

This is a fun story all around, written with lots of humor and with a great message—sometimes you need to take a risk, do something not entirely conventional, to make your dreams come true. Tago is more than ready to make things happen, and despite all the obstacles and some of the mishaps, his determination and sheer chutzpah help him deal with situations that would make most people give up in despair. One car jacking, a bus accident, and several GPS issues later, Tago is more determined than ever to make his “California dream” come true.

Tago’s family, his friends, and even his ex-boss are all wondering why in the world he would even consider leaving sunny Sydney. Well, let me tell you, if I had family like his, and everyone treating me like they do Tago—I’d be looking to buy a ticket to Mars. I mean, really! Yes, he inherited money from his grandmother (after all, he took care of her for the last two years while she was sick), but he got less than his brothers and cousin. He has an awful stepmother, who has been scheming against him for years, and his father is, quite frankly, useless as well. You have to read this to believe it. He managed to get a good job, but it isn’t enough. The lure of LA, his aunt’s job offer, and Tago’s need to truly become his own man are all excellent reasons for him to leave.

And so he does. What happens to him once he arrives isn’t exactly encouraging at first, but once he meets gorgeous Byrne, a man who also works for Tago’s aunt, things are beginning to look up. Very up! The set salvaging company Tago’s aunt has founded was fascinating, and all the details had me wanting to know more. It’s such a simple idea to take all the materials used in movies and the making of advertisement, from food to props to clothing, and redistribute them to charities and people who really need them. Tago and Byrne are into their job almost as much as into each other.

If you like main characters who are underdogs and have to fight to come out on top, if you want to know more about some of the things that can happen to non-movie star people in Hollywood, and if you’re looking for a funny and entertaining story with lots of excitement, wonderful secondary characters, and some great man-on-man loving, then you should give this novella a try. I adored it!

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 97 pages/25000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	26-October-2014
Price	$5.00 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/2053-Twelve-Thirty.aspx