Finn Weston is an accidental TV action star. After an astonishing rise to the top, he has everything, except a partner who knows the real Finn and not only his onscreen alter ego. Finn wants his first man, and he wants a perfect one, handsome, intelligent, and sexy, who’s also culturally out of touch. The Match Made matchmaking service has found him.Alex Ramsey is a zookeeper fleeing liars and … liars and cheats to take refuge in the guileless lives of animals. He doesn’t have much free time, but what there is he spends alone curled up in a classic TV comfort zone. At first, his self-inflicted solo existence is a relief, but it quickly evolves into empty feelings that Alex wants to shake.
Pairing Finn with Alex, the computer hit the bullseye. They are entranced with each other. Unfortunately, Finn keeps his TV secret too long, and a family of endangered red wolves fills almost all of Alex’s time. The relationship’s road turns bumpy, and the light at the end of the tunnel dims. Can friends, fans, and co-workers steer shining star Finn and heroic Alex to calmer waters before stormy weather tears them apart for good?
Finn knows how to charm millions of TV viewers, and Alex is challenged to save a tiny wolf’s life. Still, they both feel clueless when it comes to protecting their future together.
Duped is a 53,000-word gay romance with first time, coming out, and celebrity themes. It’s the third book in the Matchmakers series. It can be read as a standalone story, but it’s much better read with the previous two novels. Some characters carry over from book to book.
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Another great M/M love story through the Match Made matchmaking services…
Finn Weston aka “Thunder Michaels” is the action-figure actor on TV and in need of companionship. He’s tired of being alone and staying out of the public because of his celebrity. He contacts Match Made, a matchmaking service for people wanting a same-gender relationship. His fans think he’s straight. What would happen to his acting career if he decided to come out? Can he keep his celebrity secret from a match/date? Would that be wrong to do?
Alex Ramsey is the local zookeeper in charge of the red wolves, the female is pregnant and almost ready to have her pups. (I love how Mr. Rhodes reveals the affection the male and female wolves have for one another. How Timber protects Leia is actually quite beautiful.) Alex has had past connections which didn’t work out because of deception so he’s always cautious. What will happen when Alex decides he needs companionship too and goes to Match Made? Will he be successful?
I loved this story. I do wonder which came first: the cover picture or the narrative? It was a perfect cover. Right? This is a steamy, sweet story with a few explicit scenes of passion between Finn and Alex. I volunteered to review this book and promised Mr. Rhodes that I would review this book since I have read virtually all of his work. It comes highly recommended for readers who like M/M romance with medium steam.
The storyline was well written and the characters were so well detailed that I read this book in one sitting!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and Declan delivers another winner. Perceptions and deceptions play a role throughout the book. Finn splits hairs about himself, only revealing small bits about the ‘real’ him. It’s very understandable that he wants someone that sees that and his unwillingness to be open about his public self made me cringe. Alex’s past has made him fearful and when he thought Finn was repeating his ex’s behavior I didn’t fault him for his reaction. Finn’s grand gesture was sweet. I hope to see these two again in the next book.
This is the second book in the Matchmaking series. The author brings strong characters in Finn and Alex , gives them a strong connection and growing love. He brings a sweet romance with a bit of drama and adds in the adorable animals , creating an entertaining and fun read. It’s not all smooth sailing and they need a bit of help from the Matchmakers along the way. The story moves fluidly with descriptive scenes and I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Honestly, to me felt more like a diary for Alex and Finn’s relationship,and their lives. A nice to witness, slow process because it allowed me to get to know them better as the same time they learned more about each other.
Finn chooses to not tell Alex about his fame,and waiting to see how the latter reacts to the truth is about all the drama in the book. Otherwise, this is as sweet as you can find. Just boy meets boy, stumbling for a bit to then make things right again and set off towards happily ever after…
…with the cutest family of red wolves as part of the cast of secondary characters.
Recommended.
A lone wolf joins Alex’s pack: sweet romance with a dollop of heat
Declan Rhodes’ Midwestern romances usually carry some out-of-the-ordinary characters and I really liked this one about a television action star and a zookeeper!
The conflict, though it does threaten their budding relationship, is minimum angst and pretty easily resolved. Both Alex and Finn are good, down to earth guys who end up using a matchmaking service when friends and family push them to find companionship and get something going in their lives other than their work. I also liked the unexpectedness of the star being the novice and his earnest, save-the-world’s-animals fella taking the lead in the intimacy. Including cute and/or highly personable animals is always a good idea and, in this case, we have Alex’s new charges at the zoo and a cameo from a big, lovable puppy. Alex’s fellow zookeeper Gary adds a bit of snark and The Windy City streetscapes, ballpark and lake shore provide an iconic backdrop for the story.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.