What happens when a cruise ship romance crashes on the rocky shores of reality?Poor-little-rich-boy Jonathan Vallen is the heir to Vallen Industries, but is more interested in music and gardens. He clashes with new CEO Marco Pellegrini, a self-made man and rising star in business, who is brought in to salvage the company. Jonathan gladly leaves Vallen and moves to Cape Cod. When they meet again … meet again on an LGBTQ Caribbean cruise, Marco doesn’t recognize Jonathan, who has spent a year transforming from an ugly duckling into a very sexy swan. After Marco shows interest and sparks fly, Jonathan reluctantly assumes a false identity, egged on by his cousin Anthony. None of them expect a shipboard fling to deepen into true love.
Back on land, the romance crashes when Marco discovers his perfect man is not only a lie but the son of his boss, Frederick Vallen. Jonathan resolves to win Marco back, but Frederick takes vengeful action. Jonathan and Marco must battle their own fears as well as Frederick’s challenge to get to the future that awaits them on the horizon.
more
Jonathan is not cut out to lead his family’s business, no matter what his father wants so badly. Thank God his father hired Marco to come in and get the business back into shape. It means Jonathan can go out to the coast and finally start the life he wants, rather than the life his father demands. But a year later when he and Marco meet again and Marco doesn’t recognize the new, fit Jonah, will Marco want him when he didn’t even think twice about Jonathan? What about when Marco discovers Jonah’s deception? Will it spell the end of the beautiful little story they had started together?
This is a sweet, mostly angst free story of two adorable men. I thought Jonathan in particular, stood out as having not only having grown a lot, but having stayed his same sweet self. Marco was a bit in his thoughts too often, and a little pompous, but paired with Jonathan, he came out of his snobby shell. I hope the next story in this story is as sweet as this one, am looking forward to it after having fallen in love with Jonathan and Marco.
This was a sweet story about two men not being their true, authentic self, and finding love when they finally let their guards down. I really felt for both of them; more so, Jonathon, though. His dad was awful. I don’t blame him for wanting to get away. I would want to as well. I liked how the author broke it up in parts: before the cruise, during the cruise, and after the cruise. It was an interesting decision to do so, and I feel like it paid off. I enjoyed Anthony and Sophia. I felt like they added dimension to the storyline, and often comedic relief! I liked how the story flowed, and I fell in love with the real Jonathon and Marco. They deserved the love and companionship they found on the cruise. Overall, this was a feel good, low angst book, that includes a HEA. This isn’t the first book I’ve read by CJane Elliott, and it won’t be the last. I enjoy how she puts a story together, and the characters she places in them. She’s a one click author for me
***I voluntarily accepted an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
Jonathan and Marco meet when Jonathan’s fathers’ company is in trouble. Fast forward a year. Jonathan goes on a cruise with his sister where he meets Marco, but Marco doesn’t remember him, he becomes Jonah. Jonathan used to be overweight. Marco thinks he’s met the love of his life until they get to shore, and he finds out who Jonah really is. I really enjoyed the story line. I’ve always enjoy reading CJane Elliot.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
One of my favorite things about was the particular double POV. Jonathan’s provides the most of the book’s events but Marco’s is formed as diary entries, each ending with reasons to be grateful( which I found really cute).
Jonathan and Marco first met when Jonathan’s father hired Marco as CEO of his company. Thanks to the latter’s arrival at Vallen Industries, Jonathan could give his resignation from a job he hated and finally make true his wish to move to Cape Cod,where he could dedicate himself to his real passion: music.
They were supposed to be passing ships in each other’s lives until,fast forward a year,they meet on an actual ship,a cruise set for the Caribbean. But Jonathan has changed a lot,lost weight and a general makeover,and Marco doesn’t recognize him. So why not use that and create a false identity? After all,it’s only for the duration of the cruise and a vacation fling never hurt anybody… Only,they didn’t take into account the fact they would have a lot in common, or they’d discover to complete each other’s hearts and fill their lonely souls with love and happiness. Neither to have their rosy clouds of bliss crash hard when the truth comes out.
While I don’t agree with the deceit, it does ad an extra flair to the story. And the aftermath helped both Jonathan and Marco,because,in a way,it forced them to realize things about themselves and made them stand up for what they really wanted. They both grow a lot throughout the book,neither perfect but all the more endearing because of their flaws. The author also gave them amazing supporting characters with Anthony and Sophia. They’re adorable:meddling,nosy and disastrously helping lol.
There are a lot of reasons to read or listen to . It’s funny,sweet and it will take you to amazing, romantic locations. You’ll fall in love with the characters and cheer for their happy ending, holding your breath waiting to see if Jonathan and Marco would kiss and make up.
Can’t recommend it enough.
Audio review:
Narration – 4
Story – 4
I enjoyed this.
This is the second book I’ve read by CJane Elliott and I enjoyed it. It’s the first audiobook I’ve listened to narrated by Tim McKiernan. I enjoyed his narration but I do think he over-emphasized in some areas. This may be a case where I just need to get used to his narration style. Oftentimes when I listen to a narrator for the first time, I have a few issues but then upon listening to another book that changes.
The blurb does a pretty good job of explaining the story but it doesn’t tell you how much of a jerk/homophobe Jonathan’s father is. He is horrible to his son and later to Marco who he hired to run his company.
I loved how free Jonathan is when he is on the cruise ship. He broke away from his father and made himself over into a very cool looking guy. His biggest problem now is his lack of confidence. When he runs into Marco on the ship, he is afraid of his reaction since they clashed when Jonathan still worked for his father. He knows it’s not a good idea to pose as someone he isn’t but he lets his cousin talk him into it anyway.
I loved the supporting characters of Jonathan’s cousin Anthony, and Marco’s sister Sophia. These two really added a lot to the story and I enjoyed the witty repartee between all of the characters. All in all, this was an easy book to listen to and I liked it a lot.
A copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***