Hi there! Today I’m sharing a review for a new contemporary M/M romance from Elizabeth Varlet. FIERCE AND FABULOUS is a sexy match between an androgynous male dancer and a seemingly straight construction worker.
Catch my review and enter the giveaway for a chance to win $25 below!
About the book:
The first book in a scorching new male/male series by Elizabeth Varlet. Behind the Sassy Boyz’s seductive smiles and sinful dance moves are desires that will leave readers breathless.
Fitch Donovan never thought a lap dance could change his life, but from the moment the gorgeous dancer’s lips touch his, his world comes screeching to a halt. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t shake the desire that rocks him to his core. He’s longed for this passion all his life—he just never dreamed he’d find it with another man.
Sharing a soul-shaking kiss with a straight boy is the kind of drama Ansel Becke just doesn’t need. Spotlights aren’t made for two and Ansel prefers to keep things on a one-night-only basis. So when Fitch shows up asking for an encore, Ansel knows he should send his gorgeous ass packing.
Though Ansel tries to pretend that what’s between him and Fitch is far from fabulous, there’s something about the big, burly contractor that makes Ansel’s world sparkle in a way no amount of glitter ever could. And Fitch will do whatever it takes to convince Ansel that when the thing you need most in the world falls right into your lap, you’d be a fool to let it go.
My Review:
This is the first book in a series that features a five-man gay burlesque-type dance troupe, the Sassy Boyz.
Fitch is out at a gay club in Manhattan celebrating his beloved (lesbian) sister’s 21st birthday when he’s struck by the beautiful lead dancer in a risque set. Fighting an attraction to an androgynous male dancer was not part of his designated driver duties…but his sis buys him a lap dance with Ansel, and that’s a worldview-shaking event for Fitch. Big burly and macho, Fitch’s never even fantasized about being with a man before; nearing thirty he’s been disappointed in love-a bunch. Still, he can’t get Ansel out of his brain.
Ansel Becke was a homeless teen, brutally abused by his German mother for his cross-dressing activity as a child. Unable to tolerate the abuse he ran away, turning tricks to stay alive on the streets. In the past five years he’s had some better turns, meeting four other out-gay runaways at a shelter and building the Sassy Boyz together has given him and income and a purpose. Still, the past never quite goes away; Ansel self-medicates with booze and drugs. Meeting Fitch is too good to be true. How could a decent man, a straight man, have a serious interest in a former hooker and current hedonist, amiright? It’s not like Ansel even screws the same man twice… Still, Ansel is intrigued by Fitch’s interest and sincerity. For a short time he even cuts out the booze–just so he can fully enjoy all of his delicious experiences with his enchanting construction foreman.
It seems like everything is going great for Ansel, really, he even reunites with his younger brother who seeks him out while on a trip to NYC, but it’s really too good to be true–in Ansel’s head. The past never really leaves us, does it? And for Ansel, his history is especially painful. I really loved how Fitch sought the truth of Ansel’s backslide. And, how he wouldn’t let Ansel’s self-loathing destroy what they had built. I was also really stoked that Fitch came clean about his new lover–even if that lover was a man–to his conservative friends and family. He acknowledged his bisexuality without being on the hook, at all, in many ways. The reaction of his confidantes was mixed, but not horrible. My god. When Fitch took Ansel to “meet the ‘rents” I just completely fell into everlasting love with Fitch. He’s the Best Boyfriend Ever. #Certified
This book sets the scene for four more books, I expect, one for each of the dancers in Sassy Boyz. The femme vibe is strong with these young men, and it’s an interesting dynamic. I liked how they all had an interest in women’s fashion and they seemed to be very well-recieved within their gay community. There was some bashing, particularly when Ansel sought out straight men while in his female attire and make-up. There are several plot threads open for conflicts in future books, but this one ends with an HEA. Expect Ansel and Fitch to make it happen and make it werk.
Or twerk.
Probably both.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!!!
Interested? You can find FIERCE AND FABULOUS on Goodreads, Carina Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
****GIVEAWAY****
Click on this Rafflecopter Giveaway Link for your chance to win a $25 Amazon GC or a copy of FIERCE & FABULOUS!
Good luck and keep reading my friends!
About the Author:
She started writing stories in high school and hasn’t stopped. Now, her characters like to get frisky under the covers – or the stars, they’re not picky. She’s a thirty-something, newly married, world traveler who devours books like they were candy.
Thanks for popping in and keep reading my friends!
V's Reads... 