Book Review ~ Tough Love: Passions and Secrets (Rough Hearts Book 1) by J.J. Stanley

Book Review ~ Tough Love: Passions and Secrets (Rough Hearts Book 1) by J.J. Stanley 

Book: Tough Love
Author: J.J. Stanley
Series: Rough Hearts Book 1
Release Date: November 27, 2015
Length: 169 Pages
Amazon ~ GoodReads





Blurb:

M/M sensual contemporary romance series...

Ice Hockey rising star, Troy Atkins has no idea what he is getting into, when he accepts drinks with a mystery man at a bar… but he soon finds out that Alexander DeLuer is more than just a gorgeous face.

With his power and business head, Troy is very quickly pulled into a world of sex, media and social taboo.

And when it spills over into his career, Troy has to decide whether he can handle the spot light and take it like a man… or lose the one person that makes him feel whole.

*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I kept looking at this book and I almost hit preorder, then the next day the author messaged me and asked if I'd like to read the ARC. I jumped at the chance and was so excited to open my inbox and find this book. The blurb sounded so good, and after coming off of a V.L. Locey book, I was jonesing for another hockey read. Sadly this book doesn't live up to the blurb. :(

This storyline was good, but I just didn't care for the MC's. I don't like instalove, but sometimes authors can make it work. This wasn't one of those cases. I thought the courting period should have been longer. It just seemed unbelievable that Troy could go from being scared and angry, and pushing Alex away, to suddenly admitting to being in love with him. The story would have worked so much better, in my opinion, had the author taken the time for not only the characters to get to know one another, but for us, the readers to get to know them as well.

The characters were also not all that likable. Troy was very immature and Alex was way too pushy for my taste. He came on too strong, almost forceful, and this really turned me off. As the story developed I found Alex grew somewhat, but Troy stayed immature. I actually wanted to throw him up against a wall most of the book. He was an ungrateful little brat. There is a 10 year age difference between Troy snd Alex, and if you are going to pair a 19 year old with a 29 year old, the 19 year old has to be a hell of a lot more mature than Troy.

If you're looking for an erotic read, you'll find it here. The book is loaded with sex. I almost felt like there was a bit of a story thrown in between sex scenes. These sex scenes are just about all quick, dirty and very repetitive. I'm usually the type to think, there can never be too much sex in a book. There was too much sex in this book. Sometimes you just need quality over quantity. For the next leg of Troy and Alex's journey, I think the author would do better to make the sex scenes more detailed and less numerous.

The end of the book was shocking and I didn't see it coming. The book is told from Troy's POV, and I really wish I could have gotten into Alex's head too.

I hate that this review feels all negative, but with some tweaking, I think the next leg of their journey can be quite enjoyable.

3.5 Stars