galleytrot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
READ: Jan 2023
FORMAT: Audio
FORMAT: Audio
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In this contemporary romance set in London, UK, we follow Dom, a repressed and heavily closeted football star, and Lucky, a man of no fixed address who’s doing what he can to survive and do better for himself. The two meet up over an agreement on Grindr to exchange sexual favours for cash. After their brief encounter, neither man can get the other out of their mind, and it isn’t long before they begin to ask for more from each other.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3.25 / 5⭐
I had a hard time getting into the first half of this one, but it grew on me towards the second half. As a whole, it didn’t stand out to me in any meaningful ways, but it was interesting enough to keep my attention throughout, and to hope for each of the MC’s to come out better people.
Dom is in a position where he believes being outed is a sure-bet to ending his career. He is usually able to repress his desires enough to go long periods without fulfilling them, but the isolation weighs heavily on him and makes his agent’s job more difficult. Lucky is struggling with income and reliable shelter. He is not above earning a quick buck off of a stranger to help get him back up on his feet, and he is actively working towards find employment and a roof over his head.
Together, I’m not completely sold on their chemistry beyond their attraction to one another. I always like to ask myself what each character brings to balance the other one out. Lucky brings Dom companionship and the opportunity to feel like his authentic self, but I’m having a harder time reflecting on what it is that Dom has to offer beyond a couple hundred bucks, food, a hotel bed and bath, and a good lay. I’d like to say he’s supportive of Lucky’s efforts to make a better life for himself, but Dom is just as in the dark about Lucky’s situation as Lucky is of Dom’s.
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.5 / 5⭐
This is my first time reading anything written by Garrett Leigh. It’s not a bad first impression, and I’ll likely visit other works. I’m certainly interested in Isha’s story, so I should at least revisit this series at some point.
I like an author who dares to have their characters Do the Bad Thing. Sleep with the rebound. Backslide on the addiction. Fall into temptation. Get arrested. People aren’t going to be perfect and make the best decisions all the time. Most crises aren’t magically diffused in the nick of time. I felt like the later events in this book were written realistically, and it was refreshing.
This was also my first introduction to audiobook narrator Shaun Grindell. I don’t have any complaints with his performance or his voices. I did need to slow down my typical listening speed because his cadence wasn’t registering completely with my brain, but I wouldn’t have had that problem if I were using headphones.
FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 3.5 / 5⭐
This story comes with a dose of gritty realism. The only detail reaching towards fantasy is the whole “rich athlete finds love with a penniless street rat” trope. If you don’t mind your romances coming to you from the other side of the tracks, where sex and drugs and violence aren’t swept under the rug and hidden away from view, then you’ll be alright reading through this one.
This book has representation for gay and pan sexualities. A number of people with European backgrounds are portrayed, and at least one character is described as being black.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Drug use
Moderate: Vomit, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Homophobia, and Self harm
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