Release Day Review ~ Like Heaven on Earth by Jaime Samms

Release Day Review ~ Like Heaven on Earth by Jaime Samms

Title: Like Heaven on Earth
Series: Dance, Love, Live: Book Three
Author: Jaime Samms
Release Date: August 29, 2016
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 204

GoodReads ~ Dreamspinner Press

Blurb:

Cobalt Winslow lost two loves when his ex-boyfriend, Calvin Denvers, infected him with HIV, taking his health and his place as principal danseur in their ballet company when Cobalt became too weak. Now dealing with the aftermath as best he can, Cobalt teaches dance with the support of his oldest friends, Conrad and Peridot. The one bright spot in his life is Malory Preston, his brother’s driver and a man who is always there when Cobalt needs him. Kind and attentive, Preston embodies everything Calvin lacks, but Cobalt can’t let go of his unhealthy relationship with his ex.

Calvin’s return brings a messy and violent end to their affair, along with a chance for Cobalt to return to the dance company as his understudy—just when he’s on the verge of a real and lasting relationship with Preston. Now Cobalt faces a choice between two loves: dancing and Preston. Preston must show Cobalt that walking away won’t leave him with nothing, and that he has the power to make the life he wants and deserves.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.***

Let me start by saying that the first thing that drew my attention to this book was the gorgeous cover, the colors, the image, it's just breathtaking. 

This is book 3 in the series, but it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did and there wasn't a moment in which I felt lost.

Cobalt Winslow hasn't had the easiest of lives. He was born to a wealthy family, but he refused to live under their thumb, turning his back on them when he was 21 to move to New York for good and pursue a career as a ballet dancer. He became a principal danseur in the company, only to have that snatched from him after his cheating boyfriend infected him with HIV and he became really sick, rendering him unable to dance. Nearly defeated, he returned to his hometown, but didn't break off things with Calvin, continuing the unhealthy relationship they'd fallen into. 

After a particular violent episode, Cobalt ends things with Calvin and finally opens his eyes to see what has been there all along... Preston, his brother's driver, who has always loved him from afar. 

I loved Preston, he was a great character, strong, reliable, not physically perfect, but with a huge heart and patient, really patient. While I didn't particularly care for Cobalt until almost the end of the book, I liked how his relationship with Preston progressed (once he let himself see how much better Preston was than Calvin, that is). While I wasn't happy with some of his decisions, I have to admit everything worked out for the best in the end and I was very satisfied with it. 

The book is well-written, fast-paced and engaging, I enjoyed the inclusion of the secondary characters into the story, especially Azure and Chance and the chemistry between Preston and Cobalt. I really liked that the author didn't quite focus on the HIV angle more than she needed to to move the story along. Recommendable!

Rating: 4 Stars!!!