Review Tour: A Guy Walks In To My Bar: Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely
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Release Date August 19, 2020 and Audio August 17, 2020
A sexy, passionate, utterly addictive standalone MM romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!
Every bartender should follow one simple rule—don't go home with the customers.
That’s been easy for me to stick to, until the night a cocky, confident, and sinfully charming hockey star walks into my bar. This sexy athlete is too hard to resist, especially when he makes it clear how much he wants the “sarcastic, witty, hot AF” guy behind the bar—also known as me.
Still, I’m not keen on breaking my own rules since I know where that can lead—no place good.
But when that man makes his case with one bone-searing kiss on the streets of London, I throw resistance out the window.
What could go wrong with a hot, dirty, no-strings-attached fling before he leaves town in five days?
Trouble is, soon our nights together lead to days, to long conversations, to getting to know each other, and to something I never expected—falling ridiculously hard for a man who’s getting on a plane to America when I live a world away.
My life is here. His is there. And no amount of falling or feeling will change that one big problem.
Warning: contains hot hotel sex, loads of dirty talk, PDA all over London, and two sexy, witty, charming alpha heroes…
I have been harassing... or strongly encouraging Lauren Blakely to write a male/male romance for years. I knew she could do it, but even I am shocked at how much I just absolutely loved it! It is more than I expected.
The main reason is these men. They are both unique and charismatic on their own, but together they are just magic! The verbal foreplay, sexual tension, and chemistry just flow between them. And it sizzles and sparks until it has no choice but to just combust. And oh my, when there is smoke there is fire and in this one is a 4 alarm fire!
Dean is a British bar owner. He’s focused, analytical, and sarcastic. He doesn’t want distractions or relationships. In fact he and his friend/business partner have a running bet to avoid going home with customers. But then in walks Fitz. A big, burly, tatted, American hockey player with a winning personality. And before they know it they're in the middle of heavy flirting that Dean is determined to resist. But Fitz might just be his match. He is determined, likes to get what he wants, and he’s not afraid to play dirty to get it.
This book is so freaking hot! These guys are everything! I loved their banter and fun dynamics. They play off each other so well with their wit and intelligence. And despite their differences, they fit together really well. Their bedroom scenes are so intense and passionate, but also help forge trust and intimacy in a natural way. I like the balance of power between them and that they are not afraid to sometimes be vulnerable and let the other lead. And there are also unexpected, messy, and complicated feelings too.
But their issues aren’t just going to go away because they found someone they actually like. Not only do they have personal issues affecting how they look on relationships, but there are some built-in complications that are not easy fixes.
Bolstered by a set time limit and assurances of their own willpower, they are two men determined not to fall, but start to get caught up in their own web of lies of self-protection anyway. And what happens when it is time to say goodbye?
But their issues aren’t just going to go away because they found someone they actually like. Not only do they have personal issues affecting how they look on relationships, but there are some built-in complications that are not easy fixes.
Bolstered by a set time limit and assurances of their own willpower, they are two men determined not to fall, but start to get caught up in their own web of lies of self-protection anyway. And what happens when it is time to say goodbye?
It’s a starcrossed lovers M/M story of a Brit and an American in a relationship they never expected or wanted. I loved the side characters of Fitz's sister, Emma, and his teammate, Ransom, and Dean's best friend, Maeve, and his sweet dad. I enjoyed exploring a bit of London and New York. And I just freakin' loved these guys so much! I cannot possibly pick a favorite between them since they are both so charming and lovable in their own way. I adored everything about them and how their story played out! This is definitely my new fave Lauren Blakely couple and book!
Dean is on his way to his dreams, building the bar he owns with his business partner and best friend. They have an agreement: dating customers is to be avoided, and if one caves, they have to pay up. Dean hasn’t been tempted, and feels like he is on the cusp of winning the bet when this guy walks into his bar.
Fitz is in London to get his sister settled at art school. His hockey season starts soon and he is looking for a fling before the season locks down his focus. He finds who he wants when he walks into the Magpie with his sister, but convincing Dean to let go will be a bigger challenge than he imagined.
Holy hotness -- Dean & Fitz are smoking. Their chemistry is off the charts as they flirt in the bar. And by the time they find themselves in a hotel room together there are serious flames. They have great banter and genuinely enjoy their time together. What starts as a light bit of fun leads them to question what they want and how they can work on anything but the fling they originally planned.
I loved both of these men. They are equally matched and both have great personalities. Dean is a loyal son, helping out his dad whenever he can. He is protective of his friends and has a very full social calendar. Fitz is full of energy, a bit of a whirlwind, and likes to get his way.
This may be Lauren’s first foray into M/M, but I hope it is not her last. These men are perfect, separately and together. They take turns narrating, and hearing from both men gives great insight into what is going on. I cannot wait to hear the audio version, as the teases from both the author and narrators make this one sound like one that I’ll need on audio too!
Shane East:Hailing from London, Shane's Brit accent frequently tops Audible’s bestseller list and is a favorite amongst romance’s top authors. He's a multi Audie Awards nominee, Earphones winner, and has been crowned romance narrator of the year by Audiofile Magazine, The Romantic Times and SOVAS. Fans enjoy his work so much they’ve even started a fan club called the Shaneiaks (on Facebook). And when not recording you can find him in the kitchen cooking up a storm.
Joe Arden:
Joe Arden is one of the industry's most prolific narrators of Romance and Erotica. He has been nominated for multiple Audie and SOVAS Awards and has received AudioFile's Earphones award several times. When he isn't in the booth, Joe can be found training and fostering rescue pit bulls and restoring vintage motorcycles. He’s narrated in more than sixteen Lauren Blakely audiobooks.
About the Author: A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot love stories for her Lauren Blakely After Dark line.
She'd love to give you a free book today! Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.com/one-free-book/
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