THE ARRANGEMENT
FELICE STEVENS
M/M ROMANCE
AUDIO RELEASE: 12.26.16
COVER DESIGN: Reese Dante
PHOTOGRAPHER: Alejandro Caspe
NARRATOR: Charlie David
BLURB
Carter Haywood lives for the weekends - specifically the one weekend every month when he escapes real life, with all the pressures of work and caring for his special needs brother, to do whatever he wants, with whomever he wants. Sex is only a release; he's not looking for love, a relationship or even a second night with the same man, until he walks into a bar and finds someone who makes leaving it all behind impossible. After one incredibly passionate encounter, he breaks his rule and goes back. He needs to see this man again. And again.
Damaged goods. That's all Reed Kincaide sees and hears when he looks in the mirror. Anxiety and ADHD define his life and he's learned to keep people at a distance, never letting them get close enough to know who he really is. When Carter proposes a monthly weekend of sex without strings, it's the ideal arrangement for him. Or so he thinks. Every month, leaving Carter proves to be more and more difficult. It's not only the intensely hot sex they have in their hotel suite; Reed wonders about the secret life Carter refuses to share.
As months pass and they grow closer Reed finds himself falling for Carter, but he needs more than hurried hugs and farewell kisses. He wants it all. Letting Reed into his carefully constructed family life could upset Carter's whole world, but it might be the risk he's finally willing to take, if it means keeping Reed. Once bodies are engaged, the heart is sure to follow, and Carter and Reed discover that holding on to each other is the first step in letting go of the past.
EXCERPT
“Um.” Reed consulted his watch. “My shift doesn’t end for another hour.”
“I’ll wait,” said Carter without hesitation. “And I’ll take that Grey Goose now.” He stroked Reed’s fine, thin skin. “But with a twist this time.”
Reed’s eyes widened, and his nostrils flared. Unconsciously he leaned forward and triumph surged through Carter.
Yeah, that’s right, baby. Smell me; you know you want it. Carter quirked a brow, and Reed jerked back to awareness and pulled his arm away. Shooting Carter frequent dubious looks, Reed made him his drink and proceeded to set it on the bar quick enough that Carter couldn’t make a grab at him again. He backed away and began to twist at the cords of his leather bracelet.
Chuckling to himself, Carter sat there for the next hour and sipped his drink, getting just the right buzz on to the point where he could forget everything else in his life except the man who’d be coming back to his room tonight with him.
He looked up from his now-empty glass to find Reed standing beside him, wearing a beat-up leather jacket. “I-I’m finished with my shift now, but I’m not sure—”
“Not sure about what?” Carter stood and slipped his arm around Reed’s waist, inside his jacket. His warmth enveloped Carter, and strangely enough, he wanted desperately to sink into Reed’s arms. Reed tensed, and Carter felt the flex and play of his muscles underneath his clothing.
“I want you, you know that. And you want me too; it’s obvious. It’s only sex.”
“Yeah, I know that, but still.” Reed chewed his lip, suddenly looking very young and vulnerable, and an uneasy thought crept into Carter’s mind.
“How old are you?” Carter asked and held his breath.
“Twenty-seven. I know I look younger, but…”
Relief poured through Carter. A nervous lover he could handle. Still holding Reed around his waist, Carter moved even closer, fitting their hips together, letting Reed feel the weight of his arousal through his jeans.
“I want you to fuck me,” he whispered into the startled man’s ear. “Make me scream.”
*Audio copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author for my listening pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
I read The Arrangement when it first released and loved it, and I loved this audio version just as much!
Carter is raising his much younger brother, who was dropped off on his doorstep one day by their mother. Carter's entire focus for three years has been in getting Jackson all the help and support that he needs. Though he's had delays, Carter continues to see improvement in Jackson and is happy to see the strides his brother is making. Carter has no interest in relationships, his mother has shown him that people can't be trusted to not walk away. Carter allows himself one weekend a month away from his brother. He books a hotel, and goes to the bar to unwind and pick up a hook-up for the night. One night while at the bar, the bartender (Reed) gets his attention and they go back to Carter's room for the night.
Reed isn't really into one night stands and doesn't like the way he feels after Carter treats him like a business associate. He vows not to do it again, and to instead continue to focus on improving himself. Reed is going to college for Hospitality Management, he's helping his boss with duties outside a bartender job, and he's focusing on his mental health. Reed is shamed by his ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and knows that they'll never allow him to have a relationship. After all, if his mother could walk away because of his issues, as did previous boyfriends, why take a chance again.
Only Carter can't stay away, and suggests to Reed that they hook up once a month with no commitments. Reed is willing until he finds he wants more than Carter can offer. Only Carter refuses to give more and both men go on their own way. I really loved that Reed thought enough of himself to not accept the scraps that Carter offered him. And that both men finally find a way to heal each other.
The narrator of this book is Charlie David and he did a great job. Charlie has a very smooth, deep voice and kept a great pace when telling the story. I didn't feel like he differentiated between Carter and Reed's voice very much, but it didn't hurt the storytelling at all. It was really enjoyable listening to the narrator and I definitely will again!
Overall: 5 Stars
Performance: 4.5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
I read The Arrangement when it first released and loved it, and I loved this audio version just as much!
Carter is raising his much younger brother, who was dropped off on his doorstep one day by their mother. Carter's entire focus for three years has been in getting Jackson all the help and support that he needs. Though he's had delays, Carter continues to see improvement in Jackson and is happy to see the strides his brother is making. Carter has no interest in relationships, his mother has shown him that people can't be trusted to not walk away. Carter allows himself one weekend a month away from his brother. He books a hotel, and goes to the bar to unwind and pick up a hook-up for the night. One night while at the bar, the bartender (Reed) gets his attention and they go back to Carter's room for the night.
Reed isn't really into one night stands and doesn't like the way he feels after Carter treats him like a business associate. He vows not to do it again, and to instead continue to focus on improving himself. Reed is going to college for Hospitality Management, he's helping his boss with duties outside a bartender job, and he's focusing on his mental health. Reed is shamed by his ADHD and Anxiety Disorder and knows that they'll never allow him to have a relationship. After all, if his mother could walk away because of his issues, as did previous boyfriends, why take a chance again.
Only Carter can't stay away, and suggests to Reed that they hook up once a month with no commitments. Reed is willing until he finds he wants more than Carter can offer. Only Carter refuses to give more and both men go on their own way. I really loved that Reed thought enough of himself to not accept the scraps that Carter offered him. And that both men finally find a way to heal each other.
The narrator of this book is Charlie David and he did a great job. Charlie has a very smooth, deep voice and kept a great pace when telling the story. I didn't feel like he differentiated between Carter and Reed's voice very much, but it didn't hurt the storytelling at all. It was really enjoyable listening to the narrator and I definitely will again!
Overall: 5 Stars
Performance: 4.5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn't until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth's court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.
But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
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