REAWAKEN
UNDER MY SKIN SERIES, BOOK 2
CHRISTINA LEE
M/M ROMANCE
RELEASE DATE: 11.02.17
Cover Designer: KANAXA
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2gtg143
BLURB
Losing his adoring husband shattered Tristan Rogers world. For the past few years, he’s been going through the motions, running their dog grooming business while hiding the loneliness he feels down to his bones. When he witnesses an ugly breakup between a pretentious customer and his boyfriend, Tristan can’t help but intervene. Something about the unassuming younger man calls to him, and he can’t help wondering if he’s experienced some heartache of his own.
Life took a tragic turn for Jonas “West” Hollis as a teen, and he’s felt indebted to his overbearing lover ever since. Tristan’s kindness draws him from the start, but with his dreams finally in reach, West can’t risk getting close to someone else. Not now that he can live his life and stand on his own merit.
From innocent texts to companionable rides on Tristan’s boat, what starts as an unexpected friendship between the men sparks into undeniable attraction. Neither are ready for anything deeper than a couple of passionate nights wrapped in each other’s arms but their connection becomes too intense for either to ignore. If Tristan and West want to heal their broken hearts, they’ll need a considerable amount of trust and courage—not only in themselves but also each other.
EXCERPT
“Promise you won’t let me drown?”
“If I did, I’d miss out on whatever meal you promised as payback,” he replied with a smirk. “And believe me, I’m all for that.”
A nervous laugh jumped from my throat, even though the idea of cooking for him—for anybody, really—thrilled me. I pulled the sticky orange life vest over my neck and fastened it, figuring I’d bob around at first and get used to the water.
After I jumped in, I stuck close to Tristan, still nervous that I’d somehow float away from him and feel abandoned in this giant body of water.
“You ready to try without the life vest?” he asked in a tentative voice.
My pulse pitched, but I still nodded. I knew he wouldn’t leave me stranded or let anything happen to me.
“We’ll just practice floating.”
Tugging me closer to the edge of the boat, he helped unsnap the vest. As he fished it over my shoulders, his gaze met mine. “It’s okay. I got you.”
He placed the vest on the platform, where my fingers were digging into the edge for dear life.
Tristan moved behind me, his hands winding around my waist, and I immediately felt goose bumps line my skin. Just like I did when I was lying in bed with him. His lips found my ear, and it made all the hair along my nape stand on end. “Breathe, West. It’s going to be okay.”
4.5 Stars
I was intrigued by Brinn’s boss at Doggie Style’s, Tristan, when I met him in Regret and I couldn’t wait to get to his story and really get to know him. He was sweet, caring and nurturing, but so sad and lonely. Since the death of his husband, Tristan has just been existing and going through the motions, not really living, but when he rescues West from his bf, the snobby pretentious customer we know as Mr. V, they slowly start to form a friendship and that friendship brings Tristan back to life. It makes him want to start living life and enjoying himself again.
West just wants to get away from Michael (Mr. V) and live his life on his own terms. He wants to make his dream of working in a restaurant, and hopefully, one day making it into the kitchen as a chef come true, something Michael thought was beneath him.
This was a slow burn because West had to learn to trust that Tristan wasn’t like Michael and wouldn’t try to control him the way Michael had, while, Tristan had to let go of his husband and open himself up to more than just friendship with West.
The progression of their relationship felt natural and I loved the patience and respect Tristan had for West, he gave him the time and space he needed without hovering or trying to fix things for him. He was just such a good friend and support system for West. The friendship is tentative at first, but slowly they work their way into a more solid friendship and watching them fall in love was kind of magical and beautiful.
As is par for the course when I pick up one of Christina Lee’s books, West and Tristan’s story captured me and didn’t let go until the end. This story is well-written and flowed well. I loved both Tristan and West and the chemistry between them was undeniable and once they gave in to their urges and fell into bed it was sweet, sexy and passionate. This was a very enjoyable read and there are a plethora of intriguing secondary characters that I’m really looking forward to getting to know better. Highly recommended!
*copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son--her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip balm, coffee, and kissing. Because everything is better with kissing. She writes MM Contemporary as well as Adult and New Adult Romance. She believes in happily-ever-afters for all, so reading and writing romance for everybody under the rainbow helps quench her soul.
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I've only read the Free Fall series that she does with Nyrae Dawn and it was great.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of Christina's books as yet
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