Release Day Review ~ Bleu Balls (Balls to the Wall book 7 ) by Tara Lain
Title: Bleu Balls
Series: Balls to the Wall: Book 7
Author: Tara Lain
Release Date: January 9, 2018
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 250
Double trouble. The McMillan twins, Robin and Bobby, are renowned for their talents—both as fine artists and for thrilling the various men who catch their eyes. As different in style and personality as their DNA is identical, they’re nonetheless best friends who divide and conquer, with Robin doing the serious painting and Bobby adding the sunny salesmanship.
But when their most important client decides Bobby must wield the paintbrush, the brothers revert to childhood tactics and switch places. Then along comes Micah, a handsome doctor who’s attracted to Bobby but invites Robin out to try to please his homophobic brother, and Paolo, the pain-in-the-butt client who thinks he’s wooing Bobby when he’s actually after Robin. Paolo harbors his own hidden pain that weirdly intersects with Robin’s, but pride and privacy conspire to produce what will either be a masterpiece—or end up as Dogs Playing Poker.
4.5 Stars!
What I Loved: Believe it or not, I loved that this story wasn’t focused mainly on the sex. There was so much more emotion and story this time around. We got to really see how each of the men fit together with each other.
Robin. Sure, at first I wasn’t a fan but rather quickly I realized that it was Robin who I truly loved and Bobby was more of the just along for the ride. I connected with Robin. He was dark yes, he was snarky and had a jaded and cynical outlook at the world. But that’s what made him so endearing. This man loved his twin something fierce and would take care of him anyway that he could. He had a way about him that screamed vulnerability but most never looked hard enough to see it. On top of it all, he could be just as sweet and charming as Bobby.
What I Liked: I liked seeing glimpses of all the couples from the series. Gotta love all those boys.
What I Didn’t Like: I’m not going to lie, I found myself confused more than once. Here’s where I had difficulty. First, both twins are attracted to Micah, their new doctor. Robin can’t stop thinking about how beautiful the man is or how he would love to sleep with him. He can’t even control himself around him (which is something that drives me crazy in books. It seems as if men just pop wood all the time no matter the time or the place. They have absolutely no control whatsoever of their appendage). Bobby waxed on and on about Micah and dreams of frolicking through fields of wildflowers with the pretty doctor. He’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
Then there’s Paolo, the surly Architect. Of course, he’s perfection to look at. Both boys can’t possibly resist his intriguing exotic looks but, of course, Robin and him clash like plaid and paisley. That doesn’t stop either guy wanting him though.
Now as for Micah and Paolo, they both basically want Bobby. Yep, poor Robin just isn’t the type of guy either man seems to be interested in. Paolo might find him attractive but his personality (which is too much like his own) is a turnoff and he doesn’t really like him. Bobby is more sunshine and is approachable. The perfect little twink for him.
Micah is drawn to Bobby. All that sunshine and sweetness is like salve to his soul. But, of course, when it comes to his flamboyant personality he can’t deny it would be easier to bring Robin home to meet his homophobic brother. So since Micah finds Robin attractive, why not take the easy way out and date him instead of the more effervescent twin he really wants?
So that’s what bothers me. I feel like Robin is kind of seen as a consolation prize by Micah and as for Paolo, it’s hard to truly put it into words. I know he wants Robin, down deep, he just doesn’t see it at first. Still, though I felt like Bobby was too much the focus of everyone’s fantasies and Robin was just brought along for the ride and it bothered me.
Overall, I really enjoyed Bleu Balls and would totally recommend it.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
Mari, thank you so much for reading Bleu Balls and loving all these guys in spite of themselves! Trying to get two complex characters like Robin and Paolo together could have taken an encyclopedia! LOL. I finally had to say 'admit you love each other, already'! Hugs. : )
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