Coming Up for Air by Amanda Meuwissen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book totally made me happy dance!!

It was sentimentally romantic. Romantically sentimental? It was super sweet and cute and there were mermaid tails and mobsters and cops and robbers and learning sign language to ask out a crush and monsters with claws. In short, it was perfect.

When Leigh is fitted with concrete boots and thrown into the water, he's pretty sure it's over. Then he sees a man swimming towards him, then kiss him. And then he's laying on solid ground again. And now he's got a merfolk named Tolly who has legs and/or a tail. And he's his. To own and to have forever and ever. At least, if the mob doesn't kill Leigh first. Or the spell isn't broken that will take Tolly's legs away forever.

I'm seriously so hyped on this story. I am amazed and astounded and aflutter at how much this moved me to feel. I fell in love with Tolly instantly, then with Leigh about 2 minutes later. I never once questioned the story. I never once questioned their feelings. It was all there, laid out, plain as day in words and dialogue and gestures and glances and sighs.

I loved Alvin. He's the best friend/mob boss son/brother from another mother to Leigh. He was so damn sweet and funny and awed by everything.

There was humor and action and suspense and explosions and sex. There was fun dialogue...

"I'll bring the forks. Do you know what a fork--"

"Yes. I am not the little mermaid."

This was like nothing I've read before and I just want to read it again for the first time. Magical and whimsical and an utter delight.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*

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A Model Escort by Amanda Meuwissen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so much better than a Pretty Woman story or a fake boyfriend trope, even though it had a bit of both in it. There was so much more to this, though. It was smart. It was thoughtful. It was exciting.

Owen left a tumultuous relationship, his home, his friends, and his family to start over in another town. He was on his own for the first time and afraid of being lonely. After being given a business card for an escort service, he made the call. He didn't want a boyfriend. Or sex. He just wanted someone.

Cal was high end. He picked who he wanted to spend his time with and he chose how much he gave of himself to his clients. When he picked up Owen on his calendar he wasn't expecting the innocent, cheeky, smart man who was broken and alone. And he didn't expect to want to be the guy who put him back together.

So much went into this little story. Age gap, hurt/comfort, friends to lovers. It was a pleasure to read and get to know Owen and Cal. They were both so very independent and smart, giving and loyal. These were the kind of characters you'd like to meet IRL.

The story was sweet, the romance was slow and satisfying. I had wished for a bit more interaction between Cal and Owen on page, however. It felt like most of their bonding and friendship happened off page and we were just told of it. Same with their intimate moments. Given there are times when it's too much for the story, I would have liked a bit more here.

Worth the read entirely if you like a sweet story with a smart couple and a happy ever after.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/ *

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