3.5 stars rounded up.

A fun and easy read. This is the kind of book that you go to when you don't want to have to deal with heavy, angsty or diffucult stories. I won't say that it's fluff, because that would be doing a good book a great disservice.

It's unashamedly GFY, and I suppose it's a bit of insta-love as well, although not obviously so. There was a tiny, tiny hint of some D's stuff going on and I would have loved to have seen that explored more, although that could just be my kinky side coming out to play.

All in all a good, solid and fun read. ( )

This one reminded me one of those serial romances I read when I was a teenager, in particular there was a series about people and travels, always visiting exotic locations, like this time, the Fiji Islands, a private island resort, Bendura.

Jordan is a Manhattan shark who inherits half the island from his uncle Blake. Now Blake wasn’t old, actually he was only two years older than Jordan, and the only thing I missed of this story is actually Blake, and that is strange, considering we will never “meet” him, already dead at the beginning of the story. But Blake is really a nice character, and we will feel his loss like he was an old friend.

The other partner in the resort is Ryan, Blake’s old friend and a widower. Like Jordan, Ryan arrived to the island to overcome the loss of a beloved one, his husband, and from what we gathered, Blake asked him to help Jordan overcome his loss as well. Jordan isn’t gay, and yes, maybe he likes to be dominated during sex, but by a woman, Sam, who is also Jordan’s best friend with benefits. And actually, even if he likes to bottom with Ryan, I didn’t read their relationship like a D/s one; basically Jordan likes to give up the power during sex, he finds his release like that, and he is very generous in his giving. Ryan understands that and will treasure the gift.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1628301295/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

This book was adorable. Light and fluffy, just a tiny bit of conflict, and a nice take on a favorite trope of mine (GFY). ( )

4 1/2 stars, solid, really hard to bump up or down.

OK, I really enjoyed this. When I got reading time, this came out and I read through it, one night (until past midnight), and one evening, not even 24 hours. So the romance kept my attention.

This was a true romance with sexy erotica all through it. Having said that, the complaints that this is from a "feminine" POV or not realistic? Really? What romance is realistic? Almost all romance or erotic romance is written by women and read by women whether m/f, m/m, m/f/m, etc... I've noticed more men in the m/m sub-genre but still... so, is it from a feminine point of view? Damn right and it was damn good.

The good of it--
There is a lot of fun between the characters throughout. There are a lot of laughs out loud moments, yet it is not a comedy. The characters are both sweet and sexy with lots of chemistry from the start. Jordan doesn't fight his new found gay side like so many GFY (gay for you) novels do, and this was refreshing. He tries to use it. He had a whole other set of demons to fight- being addicted to the 60 hour work week, making money, and high stress NYC life. Ryan teaching him to give up control, not in a BDSM sort of way but a letting go, and letting life goes where it takes you way.

Some people have said that this is opposites attract story but... Ryan is more like Jordan than Blake ever was. Ryan came from that same high stressed city life of making money, he got over it. And this story was getting Jordan to get over it and to let go too.

There were a lot of emotional moments mostly centering around saying good-bye to Blake. I really like the little twist in the end. I loved the one scene with Samantha and would probably like to read her story. I wonder if Mia Downing has any thoughts on where that character might be heading? And the ending left me satisfied.

So why the indecision on the 1/2 star, well I'll probably go up but...
The love came so fast and it was a little too talkative. Not that I don't like the love at first sight (lust at first sight) but the trust that really makes the love was too quick on Jordan's part. In three days, he really trusts Ryan. Also this was of such a top 1% with both the main characters richer than Midas, that it was out of my frame of reference. Luckily mostly it revolved around real work at an island resort, so I could relate there. I don't know if I'll do a re-read and that usually is my decision on 4 or 5 stars, even if for just certain parts.

Very good erotic romance.

( )

Okay, so I loved this book! Seriously. When I first started the book, I was nervous because Jordan comes in as the ruthless businessman type, which doesn't always work for me. Then I got to know him and he had all these layers to him. Watching him discover who he really is and figure out where he belongs in the world was a complete pleasure.

I loved Ryan too. He really understood Jordan better than even Jordan did. He knew when to push and when to step back, which is ultimately why I think they were so great together.

The island setting was practically a character unto itself. I want to go there! Even with the huge spiders and the volcano. Also, even though he dies before the start of the book, I loved Blake. I learned so much about him through Ryan and Jordan that I felt like I knew him as well.

I'm not sure if Mia Downing is planning on writing a book for Sam, Jordan's sorta-ex-but-current-friend, but I would be first in line to read it.

Overall 5 stars!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )