Release Day Review ~ Beyond the Grill by Tracey Michael

Release Day Review ~ Beyond the Grill by Tracey Michael

Title: Beyond the Grill
Author: Tracey Michael
Release Date: October 5, 2016
Category: Contemporary, New Adult
Pages: 96
Dreamspinner ~ GoodReads


Blurb:

Justin Walker is used to being the hookup but never the boyfriend, and that’s okay. Justin has goals—he might sling burgers by night and work on his car by day, but he has plans to go to school and make a life for himself. He also has a few friends and loving parents.

What more could a guy ask for?

Hot, muscular, manly Shane Steel is a walking wet dream. Justin fantasizes about having Shane as more than a casual acquaintance, and one night he works up the courage to flirt with Shane. To his surprise—and terror—Shane is interested. Very interested.

As they bond over their love of cars and drag racing, Justin begins to believe he can be more to Shane than a side guy. Too bad Shane’s manipulative and dangerous ex is dead set against letting that happen.

Justin is tired of seeing his hookups falling in love with other guys while he stays perpetually single. His group of friends seems to be shrinking too as they keep pairing off.  Justin never imagined Shane would actually be interested in him. After all, Shane is everything Justin has ever lusted for. 

When he finds that Shane wants more than just friendship from him Justin isn't sure what to expect. But spending so much time together proves Shane is serious. 

Their budding relationship is tested when Shane’s drug addicted ex decides that Justin is preventing him from getting back together with Shane. 

This story definitely has some potential but, in all honesty, it just didn't hit the mark. While the premise spoke of a sexy MM Fast and Furious type story, it delivered more of a Slow and Sedate read.  I loved the idea of these two men who share a love of fast cars and pushing its limits, but I didn't see these guys owning that role. 

When we meet Justin and Shane for the first time, they are playing a game in an arcade at the mall. The entire scene had me thinking they were in high school. Throughout most of it, I had no idea how old these men were but the way they spoke kept me going back and forth between teenagers and in their twenties. I found this disconcerting because I wasn't able to really picture Justin and Shane like I wanted. 

At the end of the day, I hate having to say that I was a bit disappointed with this story. 

3 Stars!

***A copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest and fair review***