A Little Bit like Desire (South Haven #2) ~ Brooke Blaine

What if you had everything in the world you wanted...except the man you never knew you needed? 

Shaw Jennings, the seductive, enigmatic owner of Body Electric Tattoo works hard and plays even harder. He’s built a life he’s proud of, and though that doesn’t include a significant other, he’s got plenty of sexy men to keep his bed warm at night. None of them have ever made Shaw sit up and take notice for long, though. But that all changes when a famous rock star walks through his door. 

Trent Knox had the world in the palm of his hand as the lead singer of TBD, one of the biggest rock bands in history…until the day he walked away. A getaway to South Haven Island seems like the perfect place for Trent to find himself again and reignite his passion for music. But what he never expects is to find his muse in a six-five, tatted-up badass whose sinful smile he can’t get out of his mind. 

The only problem? Trent’s a notorious womanizer, and Shaw isn’t interested in being someone’s experiment—muse or otherwise. But in a town as small as this one, Shaw is finding it more and more difficult to keep the persistent rocker at arm’s length. 

As the tension between them builds, maybe it’s time to finally give in and get carried away with something a little bit like...desire. 

I absolutely loved Shaw and Trent's story. There was the perfect amount of angst that makes it feel more like a real relationship. Sure they both had their fears and hangups, but they were honest with each other. They supported each other in whatever decision the other made and that was before they really knew what to call each other. 

Don't get me wrong, there was some time before they jumped into some fun, but there wasn't an ex storming back in to their lives messing everything up. That had a a getting to know you period, a few drunk evenings and talks, that definitely cleared the air. They had their own issues, like most people do and they worked on it. 

I wish there were more Shawes out there. Holy hotness batman! He is just so delicious. He's straight forward, honest and supportive. The best book boyfriend, even if he didn't think he could have a relationship. 

Trent is all sorts of messed up, but he doesn't burden anyone with it. He turns on his performer switch to ensure others feel comfortable and are happy, even if it makes him unhappy. He's selfless and sexy. A great match for Shaw.

Shaw and Trent are super hot together and I just love their non-relationship-ish. I was so excited for them to get to know each other and explore their feelings. This was wonderfully written. I just love these men from South Haven!

A Little Bit Like Love ~ Brooke Blaine

What if you had everything in the world you wanted…except the man you’d left behind?

Jackson Davenport, the charismatic, strait-laced heir to the Davenport fortune, has a secret. One he’s been hiding since he graduated from South Haven all-boys academy—and that secret’s name is Lucas.

When a work trip takes Jackson back to his old stomping grounds, memories of the year he shared with Lucas come crashing to the surface. With growing pressure from his father to settle down and take over the family business, Jackson knows he’s on borrowed time, and sets out to find the free-spirited daredevil he once knew.

But Lucas isn’t the same man he was eight years ago.

One night. A shattered heart. And an endless parade of nameless faces. Lucas Sullivan is South Haven’s ultimate playboy, a reputation he’s honed since the only boy he ever loved left without a trace. To the world, he’s brash and confident, an in-demand artist who spends his days designing one-of-a-kind pieces and his nights as king of the downtown scene.

Many have tried and failed to get past the barrier he’s carefully constructed, but it’s the shy, studious boy he once coaxed out of his shell who still haunts him.

Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it was lust. Or maybe…it was a little bit like love.

I absolutely LOVE Lucas and Jackson! I could not get enough of them and their story. Victims of a homophobic father and an almost practically arranged marriage, Lucas and Jackson look to be doomed from the beginning. But that doesn't stop the love these to find for each other.

Pressure from your family to carry on the name and/or the business is heavy enough. Couple that in with some family tragedies and your destiny is written. There's nothing else you can do to break away right. It's scary and unknown. Going to back to what you always knew is easy and expected. But, just once, you want to live for you. You want to live and be happy. I wanted this so badly for Jackson. Lucas was his happy place, even if he didn't realize how much Lucas meant to him at first. 

Lucas's broken heart spoke to me. His own family tragedies hit me on a personal level and his loneliness was palpable. Of course, the stubborn man would tell you he wasn't lonely. He'd even convinced himself he was happy....That is until Jackson shows back up. He's completely thrown on his a*$. 

I loved these characters and their friends. I was completely sucked in from page one and I read this book in two days. What I enjoyed the most is that there wasn't a conflict of a label. They didn't have to be gay, straight or bi. Even though they were asked, the boys didn't have to battle with their emotions on their sexuality. Who they loved is who they loved. Their drama was due to outsiders, not who they chose to love. I felt that was just...EVERYTHING!

#LoveIsLove