Noah Dixon is damaged goods. After an accident leaves him physically scarred and emotionally vulnerable, dating isn’t in the cards, so he throws himself head-first into his retail job. When he's obligated to attend his best friend's engagement party on Fire Island, it dawns on him he’s about to spend yet another weekend feeling totally invisible and alone amongst a swarm of gorgeous men.

That’s where the idea of an escort comes in.

After Will Crossen was forced to put his theater major on hold in favor of two jobs to tackle his ailing mother’s hospital bills, he tells himself becoming an escort isn’t that big of a deal. It’s just another form of acting, right? He doesn’t expect his newest customer to be the cheery, overconfident sales associate he avoids like the plague from his day job. Talk about awkward.

But what happens on Fire Island stays on Fire Island…especially when a smoldering attraction sparks into flames. Will doesn’t feel so alone anymore, and for the first time, Noah realizes someone is seeing *him* behind all those scars. But between their jobs, Will’s massive familial responsibilities, and Noah’s vulnerabilities, they don’t stand a chance unless they find a way to let love speak louder than their demons.

COVER DESIGN: X-Potion Designs 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Eric David Battershell 

COVER MODEL: Ryan Harmon

But when Noah figures out that Will has another job as an escort, he asks for advice. He has a party to go to that he does not want to attend alone. And that starts up a whole new aspect of their interactions.

As they start to spend time together as a fake couple for the weekend. It becomes much more obvious that Noah is not confident at all. Due to his issues, he is self deprecating, lonely, awkward, anxious, fearful, and feels unworthy of love. I felt so bad for him that he was so conditioned to feel like he did not matter and that no one could look past his scars.

Will has his own personal problems and fears causing him anxiety. He has to do things he is not happy about in order to take care of responsibilities. He also keeps people at arm's length. But in social situations, he can use his acting skills and put on a good show if needed. 

But as lines get blurred and things get more complicated it is hard to see what is fake and what is real. Both have such fears, insecurities, and scars whether they be physical or emotional. Both are usually afraid to open up and be vulnerable, but somehow they find themselves telling each other their secrets. As feelings develop and there seems to be a little hope that they might be able to move past their personal issues, they have to face outside circumstances that cannot easily be resolved. It is messy, complicated, and intense. They want so bad to be together, but don't know how to make it work.

These characters had so much depth to them. I really felt for them. They both had such struggles and really needed someone to see them, accept them, and love them unconditionally. But they also did not think they were worthy or that anyone could truly love them. They were so vulnerable, lonely, and felt so hopeless that they made my heart hurt. I felt their pain, but also the little pockets of happiness. Just the small gains in self acceptance and self worth were so significant. Their passion and understanding of each other's issues meant everything.

The side characters included  Noah's friends Tony and Matt, and a cameo of a couple from a previous book. Their families and co-workers also influenced some parts of their story.

This was a heartfelt, emotional, fake-boyfriend-to-real-connection of two damaged and lonely men. Their dynamics changed throughout the story as they got to know one another. It was told in dual points of view so we got to experience their true worries and feelings on a personal level. These guys needed and wanted each other, and craved true acceptance, comfort, and care. And it would take them sharing their broken parts to have a chance of becoming whole.

But can they love each other louder than their fears and overcome the external factors keeping them apart?

Will’s thumb pressed against his bottom lip, making his mouth prickle from the contact. “You could at least pretend you’re into me.”
If only Will knew that Noah was totally into him and fighting his body all the way.