The Shipwreck
(Lavender Shores novel)
is an ADULT title
by
Rosalind Abel
Blurb:
Lamont Price’s romance novels have been a hit for the past few years. With his gorgeous looks, kind heart, and tender disposition, Lamont is the darling of Lavender Shores. He’s the guy everyone wants to be their best friend, the guy everyone wants to protect. But even with his success and the love of his family, Lamont feels hidden from those around him. Maybe the first step is attending a writing conference and revealing the man behind his pen name....
Tyler Dixon survives off his beauty and charm. From cover model to runway fashion to weekend arm candy, Tyler’s prices aren’t cheap. While his appearance is taking him places, his life as an artist has little more than flatlined. When an author hires him to appear as the face of her brand, Tyler thinks it’s just one more job. Little does he know another writer is going to steal all of his attention.
Escaping the conference to find some breathing room, Lamont runs into Tyler at a bar. Casual conversation leads to Lamont revealing his family’s obsession with helping him find love. It’s not a big deal to Tyler, who has played the role of boyfriend for other people in the past. Before either of them can rethink the situation, Tyler is in Lavender Shores meeting Lamont’s family. Though they’re only pretending to be in a relationship, the chemistry that ignites between them is anything but imaginary…
(Contains Lavender Shores maps and family trees.)
My review:
4.25 out of stars
The Shipwreck by Rosalind Abel is an adult contemporary
m/m romance that is part of the ‘Lavender Shores’ series. This tale centers
around romance author Ginger Peach, make that Lamont Price, who decides to
stymie his well-meaning family by bringing home a boyfriend. A willing
participant in the scheme is cover model Tyler Dixon, who is also an aspiring
photographer and finds plenty of inspiration in both the quaint town of
Lavender Shores and in the humble man who doesn’t know his own attractiveness.
Unfortunately, make-believe becomes reality before all of the facts are
revealed, and Lamont may not be able to have the type of happy ever after his
books are known for—or can he?
I have to admit that I was a bit concerned when the story
started out, between the alternating first-person points of view and the
frequently used idea of a romance author lacking romance and seeking a fake
companion to ward off criticism, but I became intrigued by the town of Lavender
Shores, and the wonderful warmth and acceptance being displayed there. The
inevitable crash and burn is all the more horrifying because of the truly
caring folks in Lamont’s life, and wow, the scene with his mom and the ice
cream has me frantically searching for tissues every time I go back and read it
again.
This author has beautiful imagery and being able to see
Lamont through the prisms of Tyler’s camera and his heart is touching and vivid
and reminds me how beautiful we are when seen through the eyes of those who
love us. A talented author makes the reader care about the characters and
become invested in their lives, and that was done so deftly in this story that
I have become a fan. There is a nice balance between the sizzling passion
displayed by the men, the humorous interludes, and the emotionally intense
challenges that are faced. Not only are the main characters distinctive and
charismatic, but most of the secondary characters are as well, and although
this is my first visit to this charming town, I definitely would like to visit
over and over again.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
Other titles in the series:
(don't miss The Hideaway, just out!)
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