Book Review: Flawless by Cat Grant

Title: Flawless
Series: Irresistible Attraction, Book 4
Author: Cat Grant
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: NetGalley
Published: April 22, 2013 by Riptide Publishing

Steve Campbell used to be a player, until a mid-life crisis opened his eyes to his long-repressed love for Connor, his soon-to-be-married best friend and business partner. Coming out at thirty-eight means learning how to date all over again, and this time, Steve’s not willing to settle for empty one-night stands. He wants the real thing.

Gil Alvarez has never had it easy, struggling through childhood and rejected by his family for a body that didn’t match who he was inside. A skilled driver and mechanic, he’s working hard to make his auto shop a success. The last thing he needs is a rich white guy in a candy-apple-red Ferrari tempting him, but Steve’s ready smile and easygoing manner prove irresistible.

One brief, intimate encounter leaves them both hungry for more. Gil’s not ashamed of who he is, but he’s terrified that Steve will reject him—or worse—when he discovers what Gil can’t find the courage to tell him.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Great set-up for a romance but the lack of resolution ruined it for me.

The Set Up: Mechanic Gil is used to hiding his secrets but when he meets rich boy Steve he’s willing to consider a relationship. Steve is only recently admitted he’s bisexual and wants a relationship with attractive Gil. Gil and Steve seem an unlikely couple but are they willing to fight for each other?

Why I Read this Book: Synopsis caught my attention.

What I Liked: I love the pairing of a broke mechanic and a rich scientist. This offers lots of realistic tension as Gil and Steve come from different socio-economic strata but can’t seem to forget each other. This is perfectly illustrated in their first date when Steve takes Gil to a fancy steak restaurant. I also like how Gil and Steve don’t ignore their differences but take openly about them. Sure, it’s not exactly pleasant conversation but they do it because their socio-economic differences are a factor in their relationship.

What I Also Liked: I also like Steve’s earnestness. He wants a relationship with Gil and goes after him. This novella could have easily slipped into the rich-boy-slumming-it stereotype but it never did and I think this is because Steve is so emotionally honest with Gil. Other than their first date, Steve is the one who inserts himself in Gil’s life, not attempting to take Gil out of his life and up to Steve’s ivory tower.

What I Didn’t Like: I wanted to like this romance a lot but the ending totally ruined it for me. This novella felt like it was more about the big reveal and not about these two men’s relationship developing. Gil and Steve had so much more to grow in their relationship but the novella just up and ended. The lack of relationship and emotional resolution upset me greatly because Steve and Gil had such a great beginning that I wanted to see an emotional denouement which didn’t happen in my opinion. I’d even argue this is a HFN (happy for now) not a HEA (happy ever after). That’s fine I suppose but let me down after giving me a good relationship beginning.

IMO: This novella offers a diversity rare in romance so I want to recommend it for that but the romance lover in me can’t quite because of the lack of emotional resolution to the relationship.

J9’s Rating: