Patrick’s To Do List:
1. Tell family I’m gay
2. Make giant cake for anniversary party
3. Convince Connor to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend
4. Try to keep my hands off Connor
5. Make sure Connor doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him for the last three years
Connor’s Steps for Success:
1. Perfect pole routine for Chrome Stars
2. Continue search for perfect music
3. Survive weekend with Patrick’s family without mauling him while sharing a bed
4. Prevent feelings from exploding like a glitter bomb
5. Make sure Patrick doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him forever
Strawberry Kisses is a 78,000 word standalone, contemporary MM romance featuring a sweet pastry chef, sassy pole dancer, a nosy but loving family, fabulous make-up, fluffy feels, and copious amounts of cake.
Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
New to me author! That I like! YAY! Yes, I know that is rare. Ish.
Connor and Patrick. BFF who are a bit like Mutt and Jeff. Patrick, pastry chef, doesn’t work out, big family that are definitely on the high end of middle class, quiet and a bit introverted. Connor. ballet and pole dancer, incredible body, son of a single mom, full of energy and everyone’s friend.
They shouldn’t be best friends, but they are. So when Patrick has to go home for his parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, he figures he finally has to come out to them. They are hardly surprised and they think Connor is his boyfriend.
BFF to fake boyfriend to real boyfriend! Fun!
I love how Patrick just let Connor be who he was. Slightly fem, wears make up, is a pole dancer. He won’t tolerate anyone making comments or disparaging him. It was so sweet. Even though they were “fake” boyfriends, they fell right into the roles. Probably because they were the roles they each wanted but were too afraid to say.
Until the kissing.
Patrick’s family was fun and funny and added to the story without taking it over. Some of the comments from the elderly aunts were an absolute riot! But at the same time, it didn’t drone on introducing 100 family members. Just a couple to keep it interesting.
There’s a bit of a “is this real or is this fake” thing, which both characters struggled with before they finally came to their senses. Whew!
And the epilogue was just perfect. I am such a sucker for a great epilogue.
If you are a Lily Morton fan, this book is in that same vein. Not as snarky, but similar humor, great characters and a good story line.
4 pieces of eye candy
