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the_novel_approach's review
4.0
The Beach House was originally published in 2010. It has a new cover and has been reedited from the original but is essentially the same.
Mason Adams is beautiful…on the outside. On the inside…not so much. He’s young, pampered and spoiled and is used to acting like a child in a grown-up world. Being exiled for three months to a beach house that doesn’t even have a television set, seems like hell to him. The only one around to keep him company is himself, and with the amount of self-loathing he has, why would he would he want to do that? Not even his agent suspects that his accidental drug overdose wasn’t really an accident; otherwise, she would never have left him there isolated and alone.
John Harding used to be a fireman. After a horrible fire left him slightly crippled and in permanent pain, he retreated to his beach house and became a bestselling mystery/crime author. He loves his stories and has come to terms with the accident that gave him the opportunity to put pen to paper full time. His life is quiet now; he lives vicariously within the pages of his books. However, one good look at his new next door neighbor for the summer, and John thinks life is definitely looking up.
This is an insta-lust/love novella. These two pretty much fall hard and fast. Their first interactions are sweet and touching, with a self-deprecating humor that is endearing. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I liked Mason’s character until he was partnered with John. Knowing where Mason starts from, though, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mason and John bring out the best in one another, and that makes for a great love story, even if it’s short. Lane gives us enough backstory that we get a feel for each man, and well-rounded characterizations. It’s a good storyline, an entertaining read, not much angst, and hot sex.
In the end, Mason must decide if fresh air, small towns, and a hot boyfriend are worth more than a paycheck. And, of course, he picks the HEA. It’s sweet, well written, and a good short story for a Sunday afternoon when you need a satisfying hot read, a favorite chair, and a cup of tea.
Reviewed by Carrie for The Novel Approach Reviews
Mason Adams is beautiful…on the outside. On the inside…not so much. He’s young, pampered and spoiled and is used to acting like a child in a grown-up world. Being exiled for three months to a beach house that doesn’t even have a television set, seems like hell to him. The only one around to keep him company is himself, and with the amount of self-loathing he has, why would he would he want to do that? Not even his agent suspects that his accidental drug overdose wasn’t really an accident; otherwise, she would never have left him there isolated and alone.
John Harding used to be a fireman. After a horrible fire left him slightly crippled and in permanent pain, he retreated to his beach house and became a bestselling mystery/crime author. He loves his stories and has come to terms with the accident that gave him the opportunity to put pen to paper full time. His life is quiet now; he lives vicariously within the pages of his books. However, one good look at his new next door neighbor for the summer, and John thinks life is definitely looking up.
This is an insta-lust/love novella. These two pretty much fall hard and fast. Their first interactions are sweet and touching, with a self-deprecating humor that is endearing. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I liked Mason’s character until he was partnered with John. Knowing where Mason starts from, though, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mason and John bring out the best in one another, and that makes for a great love story, even if it’s short. Lane gives us enough backstory that we get a feel for each man, and well-rounded characterizations. It’s a good storyline, an entertaining read, not much angst, and hot sex.
In the end, Mason must decide if fresh air, small towns, and a hot boyfriend are worth more than a paycheck. And, of course, he picks the HEA. It’s sweet, well written, and a good short story for a Sunday afternoon when you need a satisfying hot read, a favorite chair, and a cup of tea.
Reviewed by Carrie for The Novel Approach Reviews
ktomp17's review
4.0
This was a pretty good book. I really enjoyed watching Mason realize that all could be well in his world. It was heartbreaking to see such a young, troubled kid and to know that it is realistic in the real world sucks. I still have some trepidation over the character of John. You can see he really cares about Mason but it seemed weird in the beginning and I felt like perhaps his feelings could have been better explored to give me an understanding of where he was coming from. It seemed like "yeah, Mason is hot" but didn't really show me how he progressed to feeling more for him. We see them together but not really inside John's head. That said, however, that did not ruin this book for me. I really enjoyed it and loved the relationship between them.
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