Is winning everything when it comes to your heart?Jamie Matheson, one of five Matheson brothers, is the only one left who hasn’t found his perfect life partner, and the future prospects don’t look good. Still, he’s a Matheson, and he can’t let his doubts show. He charges into his company’s annual advertising campaign competition with bravado to spare and winning on his mind. When the company … When the company randomly selects Angelo, an unknown junior member of the art department, as his partner for the event, Jamie doesn’t realize how quickly the choice will change his life.
Angelo Moretti is the oldest son of a modest Italian-American family operating a successful family restaurant in Dallas. He loves his family, but he’s never come out to them. Angelo’s soured on the corporate structure after a past harassment experience and merely wants to keep his head down, earn a solid place in the art department, and plan for the future. He fears a catastrophe when he’s matched with Jamie Matheson, pampered son of advertising business royalty, for the company’s annual competition. Then he gets to know the charming, handsome, and talented sides of his partner.
Faced with no alternative choice but to reluctantly join forces, Jamie and Angelo find a way to be winners and work together both in the office and outside as well. The future looks tremendously bright until a power-hungry executive rises up to rattle their winning streak.
Winner is a 54,000-word gay romance with enemies-to-lovers and coming out themes, a whole lot of family, and steamy scenes. It is the fourth book in the series The Mathesons and can be read as a standalone story but is best as a follow-up to First, Cowboy, and Hero.
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Winner brings us to the last Matheson brother, Jamie, and his happy ever after. I’ve enjoyed each couple in this series, and I love that we get to revisit with them through crossovers into the other books while each still stands on its own. Jamie and Angelo is a mixed bag of romance tropes. We get a coming out story for Angelo, and a little bit enemies to lovers and office romance for the pair. What these two know about each other can be summed up to what they’ve heard through the office rumor mill, so they both have a lot to learn once they actually have to communicate. Like the rest of the series, this one is low on angst and high on entertaining characters and witty dialogue. One of my favorite things is how well-rounded even the secondary characters are. Every one adds a little something to the story, something that has made this author a go-to for me in the genre. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do next.
You just can’t go wrong with Declan Rhodes. I was so excited to finally get to know Jamie better. He’s trying to stand on his own in Texas; away from his overwhelming family and make a name for himself on his own merits. He’s a bit brash and cocky but he’s also a great guy. Angelo also comes from a large family with a mamma that wants to know all the details of her families lives. Angelo’s brother Tony is wonderful, doling out wisdom and unconditional love. Jamie and Angelo take a bit of time getting to a relationship. It was nice to see friendship build along with the desire. I liked that Jamie takes steps to find Angelo and give a sincere apologie for his major screwup. I liked it even more when he takes steps to fix the trouble at work without expecting anything for it. Loved the epilogue.
I’ve loved every book in this series, and the ending to this one was both excellent and perfect.
Jaime really lucked out to be paired up with Angelo, and he knew it (for the most part). I loved how unexpectedly wise Tony was to help Angelo try to look past all of the rumors that surrounded Jaime. And once he gave Jaime a chance, seeing them work together was awesome.
The Mathesons have been a fun journey that I will definitely re-read many times.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Jamie finds joy in Dallas with Ma Moretti’s little Angel
June 5, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
. A well-written office romance for Jamie Matheson, one of the younger brothers in this MM romance series. His project partner Angelo was the more appealing to me of the two heroes; he’s not smug or overconfident and has a great, close relationship with his family. Jamie starts as a braggart who inspires contempt and cutting office rumors about his undeserved advancement thanks to his family’s influence in the industry. He has to prove himself a winner on his own merits. He was not my favorite brother in the series, but it’s a good romance with some heat and its share of warm, family moments.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.