Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Zach Kelly’s life is a shambles. His boyfriend of three years dumped him, and his writing career is going nowhere. On a whim, he heads to Provincetown, Massachusetts, to nurse his broken heart and figure out his next step. He’s expecting to find rest and relaxation on the sandy beaches of Cape Cod. Instead, Zach meets a hunky porn star during a chance encounter at a leather shop he mistakes as a place to buy a belt that is definitely not for whipping.

Van Pierce is smitten when shy and inexperienced Zach crashes through a shelf of fetish gear. Though Van’s got an insatiable appetite for men on and off the set, his porn persona, Hart Throb, hides a broken heart. He’s struggling to find the reality the porno set doesn’t offer, and Zach is fighting to find the fantasy that will set his writing on fire. The odd goofball and the suave beefcake may either find love amid Provincetown’s colorful pageantry where summer never seems to end—or more heartbreak than either can imagine.

 

Book Review

I was so excited to start my very first Jacob Z. Flores book. Truly, I'm not sure you understand. He's been on my wish lists for quite a while but I hadn't gotten around to him. Finally, I decided to begin his 'Provincetown' series with the first book 'When Love Takes Over'. I can tell you from the first sentence I adored Zach. Something about his daydreaming, slightly scattered self hit true with me, and that, folks, is all she wrote. The fact his ex dumped him so meanly right off the bat just made me want to hug him and make everything better. Well, that, and do something nasty and reprehensible to the ex. *grins* On a side note let me just say how very much I loved the rhythm of the author's writing straight from the get go.

Zach has lost himself. He's not even sure he recognizes this person anymore and his spur of the moment trip to Provincetown is his attempt to find that person, who wasn't a doormat, inside himself again. Van created his porn star alter-ego a while ago in order to hide himself. Now, he isn't sure why he's been feeling so lonely and restless just because his fans only see the porn star and Van wants someone to really see "Van". Who could've guessed that the real Zach he's been hiding from all these years and keeping in control is just the man that Van needs to see?

It was interesting to watch these lost souls find each other. Van's history of severe rejection and debasement by prior boyfriends is what ultimately led him to doing porn. Van wants to be needed as much as he needs the other person. Zach spent his whole life trying to be perfect in his father's eyes. When his father's true nature was revealed, Zach's family fell apart, and Zach was left adrift no longer sure of what he was doing. When Zach's three year relationship ended he realized how long it has been since he let his true desires and feelings have free rein. Maybe P-town is where it can all happen for both Van and Zach? But, what happens when the week is up and it's time for Zach to go home and for Van to get back to work?

I absolutely 100 percent loved this book. I fell head over heels in love with Zach, Van, all the cast and characters, and, most importantly, I fell in love with Provincetown. I might have also fallen just a bit for the author. Anyone who can tell me such a wonderful story, brilliant in its simplicity, and written in a beautifully lyrical manner, deserves to be loved. Thank you, Jacob, you made my day.

 

 

 

 

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, print and audio
Length	Novel, 270 pages/88936 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	05-August-2013
Price	$6.99 ebook, $16.99 paperback, $16.99 bundle, $19.95 audiobook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/when-love-takes-over-by-jacob-z-flores-2087-b