When Brian “Brin” Schubert’s condo floods, he takes his co-worker up on the offer to stay on his crappy futon for a while. The last thing he expects is for his friend’s roommate to be the one guy he despises the most. The same guy who stomped on his heart senior year of high school. And by the looks of the girl on his arm, the same man who’s still deep inside the closet.
Nicholas Dell never predicted that eleven years later, one of his greatest regrets would show up on his doorstep down on his luck. Nick has made some terrible mistakes—story of his life—and he’s been paying for them ever since. And if the guilt and shame aren’t enough, his first crush had to turn into one of the sexiest men he’s ever laid eyes on.
Nick and Brin have weeks to steer clear of each other. Weeks to avoid strangling each other. But when stubbornness leads to skyrocketing sexual tension, hate-sex doesn’t seem like such an awful way to work through their frustration. Except hate is a powerful emotion, especially when it’s turned inward. And in Nick’s case he’s been drowning in a sea of self-loathing for so long, he can’t see his way out.
As Brin reconnects with Nick, his perception of what really happened in their past begins to change. He’s finally ready to forgive him and take a second chance on the one guy who stirs him like no other. But Nick’s demons are complicated, heart-wrenching…demanding. So devastating, he might never allow himself true happiness—even with the one man who’s always owned his heart.
Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
I can pick up a Christina Lee book and know that it will be a good book. Enjoyable, sexy, not a ton of angst. I liken them to comfort reads. They are kind of a safe place, good stories that probably won’t make me cry and that is ok. And they will give me a happily ever after.
All of the above is true for Regret. A sort of second chance love but maybe more of an enemies to lovers story.
I started out really liking Brin. He seemed like a good guy. And faced with the guy from high school who not only blew him off, but set him up for ridicule, I felt badly for him. But then he became kind of bratty. Nick is who I really ended up feeling sorry for. He seemed contrite and wanting to make things right with Brin- but couldn’t get him to crack at all.
What I couldn’t understand was why Nick hated himself so much. Until the truth came out. Ugh, my heart. It was broken. And then Brin totally redeemed himself to me by being there for Nick. That was a twist I wasn’t expecting. I want to say more, but I don’t want to give anything away.
Ms Lee writes 20-something guys really well. They are current without being caricatures or stereotypes. They are just guys living life the best they can.
So yes, this was the comfort read I expected, with a bit of a twist that I didn’t expect and a happily ever after that left a smile on my face.
3.5 pieces of eye candy
A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
