Release Day Review: Secretly Dating the Lionman by Sue Brown (Giveaway)

Title: Secretly Dating the Lionman
Series: Cowboys and Angels: Book Two
Author: Sue Brown
Release Date: November 27, 2018
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 193

Dreamspinner Press


Can a man burdened with family drama find his way into the arms of a happy-go-lucky stripper called Lionman?

Cris likes a drink at Cowboys and Angels bar after his shift at the strip club—until one night when a trashed young guy named Mikey tries to kiss him. He’s not Cris’s type, but Cris is good enough to see the kid home safely. There he meets Mikey’s handsome older brother, Bennett, and there’s an immediate spark between them.

But Bennett might not be in a position to start a relationship, let alone with the carefree Cris. He’s trying desperately to hold his family together, with a younger brother who’s running off the rails and hostile parents who will never accept not just one, but two gay sons.

When Cris is unexpectedly fired and Bennett’s family drama escalates, they turn to each other for support. But can a shoulder to lean on develop into something much closer, something they both deserve?

3.75 Stars!

If you read the first book, Speed Dating the Boss, you will remember Cris from the speed dating event. If you didn't read the first book, I'm pretty confident that you could read this one as a standalone. Dan, who now owns Cowboys and Angels, has become friends with Cris and regularly invites Cris to work for him. However, Cris likes the money he's making as a stripper since it helps him pay for studio space; too bad his manager is a jerk. One night when Mikey, a regular at Cowboys and Angels tries to kiss Cris, he meets Mikey's older brother Bennett.

I liked Cris. He is a positive guy and can't seem to stop himself from helping out the people around him. His first meeting with Bennett was pretty antagonistic on Bennett's part, and the next few meetings don't really go any better. I felt for Cris since he was attracted to Bennett, but Bennett's attitude was less than desirable. I really liked that Cris had hidden talents and was intrigued by the description of his art. Bennett had to grow on me. His attitude towards Cris and Mikey was cringe-worthy for quite awhile. I wished Cris would have pushed harder earlier to get a better handle on what Bennett thought he was doing with regards to Mikey, who really needed help.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I had some problems understanding where the turn around in Bennett's attitude towards Cris came from. I also find it hard to believe that no one in Bennett's family knew the story of his uncle. I was glad to see Mikey seemingly straighten out his act and Bennett take a chance and move forward with his life. I liked that their mother's reaction was realistic and while not the best, that the rest of the family was supportive. It was fun to see Gideon throwing Cris for a loop and seeing Dan and Gideon again in general.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

4 stars

Secretly Dating the Lionman is the second book in the Cowboys and Angels series by Sue Brown. Cris is a stripper who enjoys drinking at Cowboys and Angels. He meets Dan, who now owns the bar, during a speed dating event that happened in the first book. While at Cowboys and Angels, Cris gets hit on by a younger man who is very drunk. He fends him off and returns him home to find his older brother waiting for him. From then on he sees Bennett often. They start out as enemies but quickly fall for each other. Bennett has family issues so big it almost spirals out of control.

Cris is amazing. I absolutely love his attitude. He is hilarious and kept me reading the book when it was a bit slow. Bennett ended up being very sweet, I really thought he would have been the more dominant partner but I was mistaken.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Cris and Bennett quickly have become one of my favorite book couples. The book started slow and I stopped once or twice but I am very happy I stuck with it and finished it. It kept me awake at night reading to finish it quickly just so I could see what happened. The ending was very satisfying and I really hope Mikey gets the next book. 

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

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