suflet's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely novel, full of romance and angst but with a satisfying follow-through. I would highly recommend it!!
bfdbookblog's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars so rounding up to 3
Man I wanted to like this book…but for the most part it was OK at best. This is my first read by this author and I don’t know if I’ll be back for seconds on this series. The story is very predictable even though the premise is unique for me and one I liked very much.
I try to start my reviews with what I liked unfortunately this list will be a little short.
- I liked Victor mostly (I explain why it’s not wholly later in the review). Him standing up for the injustice in his country was amazing. He’s great with Evan. He’s a ballet dancer. The history of his life is heartbreaking and he’s surprisingly upbeat, positive and happy despite the pain he’s endured.
- I liked Evan. He’s a complex character with amazing potential if written right when he’s older.
- I’m assuming Ian will get a story. He was another favorite character of mine. He’s a great friend, funny and unapologetic but he’s hiding behind a façade that I hope translates into a fantastic story.
- Esther is another valuable side character in the story.
Now for what let me down in the story.
- Isiah was not likeable at all. He was so awful to Victor to the extreme that I’m not sure Victor wouldn’t have been better off taking his chances elsewhere. He is a black, gay football player. I’m guessing he knows bullying and bigotry. He lacked compassion. He was a bully to Victor. The only time he was half way decent to Victor was during the sex scenes and even then, he was pretty closed off emotionally. He is still clearly in love with his dead husband and still hurt by his death. He has decided he doesn’t want to ever go through that again…and then magically he changes his mind and is ready to commit – after being dreadful to Victor repeatedly. The grief and pain he is still holding onto is never resolved…it’s just gone one day and he realizes he needs Victor. His apologies (yep, you read that correctly – there were repeated scenes that required one) were weak and uninspired.
- While I liked Victor overall, my major problem with him was his weakness. Isaiah treated him poorly, walked over him like he was a piece of trash on the ground and Victor’s forgiveness was INSTANT. I was mad longer than he was…and by the time I was fully geared up in my anger it had already happened again. He showed glimpses of strength, perseverance and a spine of steel only for all that to be thrown away with his instantaneous forgiveness of Isaiah's repeated, blatant disregard for him as a human.
- Victor and Isaiah seem to only be compatible between the sheets and when Victor was trying to embrace being in the family he always wanted and going along with whatever Isaiah wanted. I never saw their relationship flourish. Their big ‘reunion’ scene near the end was a bit forced and unbelievable (it also happened in front of a very large audience and their private conversation probably wasn’t as private as they thought which didn’t work for me). The sexual and physical chemistry notwithstanding I don't see how they work.
This story had potential but never lived up to that so it was disappointing for me.
Man I wanted to like this book…but for the most part it was OK at best. This is my first read by this author and I don’t know if I’ll be back for seconds on this series. The story is very predictable even though the premise is unique for me and one I liked very much.
I try to start my reviews with what I liked unfortunately this list will be a little short.
- I liked Victor mostly (I explain why it’s not wholly later in the review). Him standing up for the injustice in his country was amazing. He’s great with Evan. He’s a ballet dancer. The history of his life is heartbreaking and he’s surprisingly upbeat, positive and happy despite the pain he’s endured.
- I liked Evan. He’s a complex character with amazing potential if written right when he’s older.
- I’m assuming Ian will get a story. He was another favorite character of mine. He’s a great friend, funny and unapologetic but he’s hiding behind a façade that I hope translates into a fantastic story.
- Esther is another valuable side character in the story.
Now for what let me down in the story.
- Isiah was not likeable at all. He was so awful to Victor to the extreme that I’m not sure Victor wouldn’t have been better off taking his chances elsewhere. He is a black, gay football player. I’m guessing he knows bullying and bigotry. He lacked compassion. He was a bully to Victor. The only time he was half way decent to Victor was during the sex scenes and even then, he was pretty closed off emotionally. He is still clearly in love with his dead husband and still hurt by his death. He has decided he doesn’t want to ever go through that again…and then magically he changes his mind and is ready to commit – after being dreadful to Victor repeatedly. The grief and pain he is still holding onto is never resolved…it’s just gone one day and he realizes he needs Victor. His apologies (yep, you read that correctly – there were repeated scenes that required one) were weak and uninspired.
- While I liked Victor overall, my major problem with him was his weakness. Isaiah treated him poorly, walked over him like he was a piece of trash on the ground and Victor’s forgiveness was INSTANT. I was mad longer than he was…and by the time I was fully geared up in my anger it had already happened again. He showed glimpses of strength, perseverance and a spine of steel only for all that to be thrown away with his instantaneous forgiveness of Isaiah's repeated, blatant disregard for him as a human.
- Victor and Isaiah seem to only be compatible between the sheets and when Victor was trying to embrace being in the family he always wanted and going along with whatever Isaiah wanted. I never saw their relationship flourish. Their big ‘reunion’ scene near the end was a bit forced and unbelievable (it also happened in front of a very large audience and their private conversation probably wasn’t as private as they thought which didn’t work for me). The sexual and physical chemistry notwithstanding I don't see how they work.
This story had potential but never lived up to that so it was disappointing for me.
nasaje's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
Isaiah Blackwell is a pro football player who lost his husband three years ago. He is raising his 14-year-old son, Evan. Evan looks up to the professional Russian ballet dancer seeking asylum in the US, Victor Aleksandrov. Isaiah and Victor meet after one of Victor's perfomances, and the two are attracted to each other, but decide that nothing should come out of it because Isaiah feels he already had his chance at love, and has Evan to worry about now. However, after Victor's asylum is denied, Isaiah offers to marry him so that Victor - who is very publicly vocal about gay rights - is not sent back to his country and possibly killed. The two try to navigate their new reality as newlyweds and try to determine the nature of their relationship behind closed doors as well.
Reading about Isaiah and Victor falling in love was great. Victor is an interesting character, and different from MCs in other books in the genre. There is angst there which keeps it interesting, but since we get to hear the story from both sides, it doesn't hit you as hard as it could have, which drags it down a little for me. I would also have liked to hear more about Victor's life and problems in his home country, and Evan's - Isaiah's son - navigation in the genders and his sexuality.
ARC provided in exchange for my honest review
Isaiah Blackwell is a pro football player who lost his husband three years ago. He is raising his 14-year-old son, Evan. Evan looks up to the professional Russian ballet dancer seeking asylum in the US, Victor Aleksandrov. Isaiah and Victor meet after one of Victor's perfomances, and the two are attracted to each other, but decide that nothing should come out of it because Isaiah feels he already had his chance at love, and has Evan to worry about now. However, after Victor's asylum is denied, Isaiah offers to marry him so that Victor - who is very publicly vocal about gay rights - is not sent back to his country and possibly killed. The two try to navigate their new reality as newlyweds and try to determine the nature of their relationship behind closed doors as well.
Reading about Isaiah and Victor falling in love was great. Victor is an interesting character, and different from MCs in other books in the genre. There is angst there which keeps it interesting, but since we get to hear the story from both sides, it doesn't hit you as hard as it could have, which drags it down a little for me. I would also have liked to hear more about Victor's life and problems in his home country, and Evan's - Isaiah's son - navigation in the genders and his sexuality.
ARC provided in exchange for my honest review
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
His Convenient Husband is the first book I've read by Robin Covington and it won't be my last! I love m/m romance and I have been seeing her name and books for years and when I saw this I knew I needed to make time for it. Needless to say, I was not disappointed! Her writing is fantastic, her characters well developed. Isaiah is a famous football player who lost his husband three years ago. He's raising his son and likes staying quietly on the sidelines in his personal life. The minute he sees loud and proud Victor, he's consumed with want. Victor is everything that Isaiah isn't. The attraction is palpable and before he knows it, Victor has an invitation to Isaiah's house. One night of off the charts passion leads to Isaiah offering to save Victor from prosecution in Russia. They agree their marriage will be just friends. They get all the safety and none of the perks. But the growing attraction is too much and they give in. Isaiah is scared to lose his heart again. Victor wants a love and family more than anything, but he's afraid to admit his feelings. When words cause one of them to run, can they find their way back to each other. Is the risk worth the reward? I loved this story! Isaiah is big, quiet, sexy and funny. Victor is beautiful, sexy and proud to be who he is. He wears makeup and speaks his mind about the LGBTQ issues in the community. Isaiah's son is gender fluid and he loves having Victor around. They just get each other. I loved that each man has a best friend to confide in and tell them when they are being stupid! Overall, I laughed, cried, smiled a lot, got all tingly and was overcome with joy at the end!
"Your husband is fucking hot."
"Holy shit. If that's how you look at him when he has his clothes on, then we'll never get you out of bed once the season starts."
He tasted so good, like whisky and Isaiah, sin and redemption. He surrendered, melting against Victor with a moan that spoke of the nights they'd spend apart.
"Your husband is fucking hot."
"Holy shit. If that's how you look at him when he has his clothes on, then we'll never get you out of bed once the season starts."
He tasted so good, like whisky and Isaiah, sin and redemption. He surrendered, melting against Victor with a moan that spoke of the nights they'd spend apart.
breadedbookpages's review against another edition
1.0
leahkarge's review against another edition
2.0
If I hadn’t been queerbaited with the genderfluid description from the start with the initial blurb, I probably would’ve otherwise enjoyed this story.
Read the full review on my blog.
Check out Xan West's review of this book for very concise thoughts. I agree with them completely.
Read the full review on my blog.
Check out Xan West's review of this book for very concise thoughts. I agree with them completely.
thunder_reads's review against another edition
2.0
This book pissed me the hell off. The more I think about it the more I hate it.
cadiva's review against another edition
3.0
Victor is amazing, Isaiah is a dick and lots of bits of this book are a hot mess but I still mostly enjoyed it.
I note from friends reviews that the blurb changed at some point to remove references to Victor being gender fluid and that's probably a good thing as I didn't really read anything within the text which gave that impression.
Evan, Isaiah's adopted son on the other hand, did seem to be pushing boundaries and I loved him and his fierce attitude and determination to be himself.
Victor was awesome too, did I mention I loved Victor?! Dancers are a weakness for me, the power and grace and artistry and sexuality, vulnerability and their ability to convey emotion just ticks all my boxes.
It's one of the greatest joys and biggest regrets of my life that I didn't keep dancing past my mid teens, especially when I was dancing with some of the finest contemporary dancers who went on to found Phoenix Dance Theatre.
I wanted Victor to kick Isaiah to the curb after he hurt him through his foolish words and unthinking actions. I did understand where Isaiah was coming from, having lost his first husband, but he was still a dick.
There is some good groveling though and a very public declaration of feelings once Isaiah gets his head out of his own way and realises he's being a coward and the epilogue is super sweet.
It's quite a short story, longer than a novella but not full length story mode and I think that is what caused a bit of the messy plotting. Isaiah's change of heart and willingness to actually be with Victor as a proper husband just felt a bit too quick, even with Evan's calling out of his behaviour.
Still, kudos for the MCs being a POC pro footballer and Chechnyan dancer rather than the more commonly portrayed Caucasian males.
#ARC received from the publishers via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I note from friends reviews that the blurb changed at some point to remove references to Victor being gender fluid and that's probably a good thing as I didn't really read anything within the text which gave that impression.
Evan, Isaiah's adopted son on the other hand, did seem to be pushing boundaries and I loved him and his fierce attitude and determination to be himself.
Victor was awesome too, did I mention I loved Victor?! Dancers are a weakness for me, the power and grace and artistry and sexuality, vulnerability and their ability to convey emotion just ticks all my boxes.
It's one of the greatest joys and biggest regrets of my life that I didn't keep dancing past my mid teens, especially when I was dancing with some of the finest contemporary dancers who went on to found Phoenix Dance Theatre.
I wanted Victor to kick Isaiah to the curb after he hurt him through his foolish words and unthinking actions. I did understand where Isaiah was coming from, having lost his first husband, but he was still a dick.
There is some good groveling though and a very public declaration of feelings once Isaiah gets his head out of his own way and realises he's being a coward and the epilogue is super sweet.
It's quite a short story, longer than a novella but not full length story mode and I think that is what caused a bit of the messy plotting. Isaiah's change of heart and willingness to actually be with Victor as a proper husband just felt a bit too quick, even with Evan's calling out of his behaviour.
Still, kudos for the MCs being a POC pro footballer and Chechnyan dancer rather than the more commonly portrayed Caucasian males.
#ARC received from the publishers via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.