Thrust by Sybil Bartel

Hot, Wild, Wicked and Wonderful…did I mention HOT? This was a book that I could not put down once I started reading it.

As I read a few of the characters sounded familiar so I checked and found that I had read about them in the Uncompromising Series and wondered if this was another in the series or just a sidebar novel that needed to be told…whatever it is…it enthralled me. And, I can hardly wait to read whatever Sybil Bartel writes next.

Many romance novels that I have recently read have dealt with men who come home from war and their ability or inability to deal with what they have experienced. In this book the main character, Alex Vega, came up with his own way of taking control – he became a male escort – providing services for money. He had a five year plan and was doing well for himself until he met Olivia Toussaint. Yes, she turned his world upside down and made him rethink his life, his plans and a whole lot more. And Alex managed to shake Olivia’s life up, too.

Alex may seem cold and clinical in some ways but underneath it all he does seem to care about some of his clients and look out for them so when Olivia appears on the scene it is not totally surprising that he acts, reacts to, shares with and cares for her as he does. Olivia is a strong woman who thinks she knows who and what she needs but Alex makes her reassess and then make decisions that will have a huge impact on her and her plans.

There is a lot that happens in this book – in and out of the bedroom. This is a love story that was deeper than I expected it to be and one that I gladly recommend to others – unless they don’t like mature reading of an erotic nature. It made me think and feel and care and then want in more ways than one. Great characters, great story – just great!

Thank you to the author who through NetGalley gave me a copy of this splendid book to read. This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

Alex Vega is a male escort, but he's taken it to a new level. He's like a sex machine, he won't take you out to dinner or escort you to a function, he'll take you to bed and make you c*@me until you can barely walk. He can have maybe three clients a night, and he's not cheap, he's also gotten very cynical and arrogant, but he has this life planned out and it's made him very rich. But when he meets a woman who at an auction who doesn't show any in him, his plans goes out the window, and Alex can't help breaking all his rules and Oivia who is doing charity work with dogs for veterans with PTSD gets drawn in.

I loved the characters, and this is a very hot story. Alex had to decide where his road was leading. This is an enjoyable read. ( )