Nightclub manager Julian Cullen runs Reservations with impeccable precision and a deep sense of pride. But repressed memories from his abduction two years ago surface, leaving him struggling emotionally. Julian vows to reclaim his previous life but doesn’t factor in the biggest distraction of all: the handsome cowboy hanging around the club intent on gaining his attention.
Entrepreneur Beckett St. Clair built an industry-leading survivalist training company through hard work and dedication. The tough as nails outdoorsman can navigate any situation or so he thinks…A chance encounter with a guarded night club manager leaves him tumbling head over heels into uncharted territory.
One man is lost to his past, the other dreams of a future.
Both men will soon find out love is never easy…it’s complicated.
Title: It’s Complicated
Series: A Reservation Story Book 2
Author: Kindle Alexander
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: December 7, 2021
Cover Design: Reese Dante
Amazon – Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. The writing, the imagery, and Beck, I loved. I struggled to like Julian through most of the book. It had very little to do with his previous profession, and yet everything to do with it.
This was definitely a slow burn romance, with many of the feels. However, where I struggled was that Julian spent a large portion of the story really wanting to go back to being an escort, and I really couldn’t fathom why. He’d been assaulted, although we don’t learn by whom until late in the book, and it felt like part of the reason was because he had been an escort. It seemed to be the prestige, the money, being adored was what he was looking for. I really wasn’t sure, other than maybe he just wanted his life to be good again, and he felt that was the only way to get there.
Also, he was a bit of a D**k to his boss, as well as his emotional support dog, for much of the book. Woofer deserved better than that. (Julian did come through in the end with Woofer, though.) 🙂
Beck, meanwhile, was the sweetest man ever. Julian called him his gentleman through the entire book, and he was. He fell in love with Julian on sight, and never looked back, even when Julian pushed him to the side. In Beck’s defense, he knew the score, but he stepped aside willingly. Then when Julian needed him, he didn’t question, and went right back. It was super sweet, supportive and so loving, and I wanted to wrap him up and give him the biggest hugs ever. His love was true and he never wavered.
Their relationship together was touching. Julian wanted to be the center of someone’s universe, and Beck wanted someone who would be the center of his universe. Even with all the differences between them, they were good together, and meshed well. Beck was extremely patient, and Julian needed that patience considering all he’d been through. And Julian, when he needed someone the most didn’t hesitate to turn to the man who he knew would be there for him, no matter what. It was heart breaking, and at the same time, made the reader happy to see such a level of trust from someone who had every reason never to trust another soul again.
Two things that I thought should have been touched on more was Julian’s time with his counselor as it pertained to his coming back into his sex life. That seemed like it should have been critical to his healing, as well as his relationship. Also, I would have liked a bit more of an epilogue with Julian and Beck to wrap things up. I was left wondering a bit about that final chapter and it’s purpose. But maybe we will find out with book 3!
I loved visiting with Thane and Levi from Reservations, book 1. Their relationship clearly was going strong, and Levi didn’t let Thane, or Julian get away with anything. 🙂
I really wanted to give this book 4 pieces of eye candy, I really did, but I just couldn’t quite get over that hump, so 3.75 pieces of eye candy, it is.
Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It’s always a surprise to see what’s coming next!
I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it’s true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women’s hair!
Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life – I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations – regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal… I don’t want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I’m going to tell you about Kindle.
I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I’ll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died – weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn’t have to be alone.
That time in my life was terrible. It’s everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.
Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness – it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.
Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn’t a time she wasn’t there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It’s its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn’t be here today without her.
Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com
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