Review Tour ~ In Vogue by Lucia Laurent ~ (Excerpt)
Title: In Vogue
Author: Lucia Laurent
Word Count: 108k
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Publisher: Ink & Smith Publishing
Release Date: September 29, 2016
Links:
Amazon Pre-Order: http://amzn.to/2b4zT7H
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2b4A9UA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucia_laurent
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucia_laurent/
Website: http://www.inkandsmith.com/invogue
Blurb:
King of New York fashion and editor-in-chief of the prestigious Couture magazine, Miles Brodeur loves his demanding job and a routine that means he always knows what’s coming next. Deeply involved in the magazine’s content and culture, Miles doesn’t have the time or the desire for a relationship.
Alexander Mackenzie is a former model turned magazine editor who is just learning about the politics that exist at the intersection of high fashion and publishing. He’s always dreamt of turning Miles’ head and one night, at a glamorous party, his fantasy becomes reality. But Miles’ workaholic nature conflicts with Alexander’s belief that “there’s more to life than what’s printed on the pages of a magazine.”
Despite their fundamental differences, Alexander can’t help but follow Miles back to New York, and once there it becomes clear their association could be addicting--and possibly life-changing.
Set in a world where the beauty of art and the written word collide, Miles is confronted by a fundamental question: is someone ever worth slowing down for?
"Is that why David Beckham has been featured multiple times on the pages of your life’s work? Does your criteria seriously consist of one thing—a man’s ass?"
"Well the ass is a man’s best asset," Alexander smirks, holding the martini glass up. “And don’t call the magazine my life’s work. There are far more important things in life, Miles Brodeur, than what’s printed on the pages of a magazine.”
"And what might those be?" he presses, although whatever Alexander comes up with will never convince him. He already feels the arousal slightly leaving his body, even though Alexander is looking at him the way he hasn’t been looked at by anyone in a very long time.
Pages of a magazine. And this man called himself an editor. No wonder Miles skipped London Fashion Week. It seems to be made out of cotton candy fluff.
"Love," Alexander shoots back, his eyes wide and sincere. Staring directly at him, as if Miles’s whole life story was written behind his eyelids.
"Ah, the classic answer.” After letting out an audible sigh, Miles slightly bows his head, signaling the end of the conversation, an act he mastered years ago. He feels like someone’s poured ice water over his head. He should have realized Alexander would be the kind of person who looks for a partner who will reach for the stars with him.
"If you’ll excuse me, I see my friend waiting for me. Thank you for the interesting conversation, Alexander.” His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes when he looks at the young man before him. Zia, Miles’s longstanding best friend and Couture’s creative editor, has been lounging by a different bar, waiting patiently for Miles for the duration of this conversation. Miles shouldn’t use him as an excuse, but he does anyway.
Confusion is crystal clear on Alexander’s face, but that doesn’t stop Miles from turning on his heel and making his way toward that bar, Zia, and relative sanity.
Miles’s mind races, droplets of sweat forming on his forehead. The blue lines of his suit form a beautiful contrast to the ivory color of the floor as he strolls elegantly across the enormous hall, avoiding the tables filled with people interested to hear him speak. It’s not that he feels bad; only too much. His brain is in overdrive once again, and the alcohol he consumed not making it any easier for him to physically process it all.
Love was Roberto Luciano’s spring couture collection for Dior in 2009, which Miles oversaw Zia shooting in the gardens of Versailles.
Love was the thousands of hours of work that went into producing a one-of-a-kind bustier beaded with ivory pearls and a full skirt, evoking the classical romantic femininity of Dior’s silhouette. Miles still remembers the words Roberto said to him after he had shown the collection.
"It is our job to make people dream.” His Italian accent still rang bells in Miles’s mind, as if he was hearing him say it for the first time.
And to fall in love, Miles always added to the quote whenever he recalled that moment. Hopelessly, foolishly in love.
It’s what Miles always took for granted, knowing better than to question it. The Earth’s population might as well be divided into dream makers and dreamers. And dream makers don’t get to experience dreams. Artists don’t get to see happiness, because for them regularity isn’t optional; it is to be avoided at all costs. The list goes on in Miles’s head, always ending with the same conclusion. Some get to choose love, some get to choose their dreams. Only the lucky few get to have both. Miles has never been one of them.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review.***
Miles Brodeur is editor-in-chief to a prestigious magazine. Every moment of his life revolves around his job and that's the way he loves it. At an event for the magazine, Miles meets Alexander Mackenzie. Alexander is a magazine editor and former model, and he looks up to and is crushing on Miles. Alexander sets out to get Miles' attention, but can he break through his workaholic life?
I read the first chapter of this book three times, as it drops you right into the story. I actually thought I'd missed a previous book that gave me the background for what was happening in chapter 1, so make sure you're paying attention! This story is very, very, very heavy on fashion. On looks, designers, accessories, shoes, fashion week, etc. Sadly, all the very detailed descriptions and information were overload to me. I think if you have an interest in fashion, you'll love all the fashion talk and descriptions of what each person wore to every event. I don't know anything about fashion and designers, but I felt like this could be a book written by an insider in the industry.
I didn't really like the MC Miles. I found him to be pretentious, shallow and a narcissist. Miles is the king of his world and those who are allowed in it should feel privileged. He name drops just as easily as he breathes. And he is so powerful that he can just call up Beyonce or hang out with Elton John and he'll make sure everyone knows it. Alexander seems to be a fairly normal former model, who hasn't learned how to survive in Miles' world. He seemed to be a genuine person who enjoyed life. I felt like a relationship between the two MC's really wasn't the main point of this book, it was just an added bonus for fashion lovers. But, the sex scenes were hot! And the author's descriptive writing was in evidence during these scenes as well.
Listen, if you're someone who wonders how the fashion world works, what happens behind the scenes, and the glamour of it all, this is definitely a book you don't want to pass up.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Author Bio:
Lucia lives in Europe, often switching it up between cities and people. She’s a fan of all things fashion, music and pop culture as well as a firm believer in studying your way to excellence.
Lucia thinks she’s a really good organizer when in fact her apartment is way messier than she’d like to admit. She spends way too much on shoes and plane tickets. Her soft spots are desserts, but a good meal of any kind will always get a “yes, please.”
In Vogue is Lucia’s first novel. Hopefully, it won’t be her last.
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