Format: Novel • Genre: Contemporary/New Adult • Length: 115,000 words
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Cover Artist: Kanaxa
Series/Number: Love Lessons #3
Characters: Elijah Prince, Sebastian (Baz) Acker
Even hot messes need a happily ever after.
With the quiet help of his wealthy family, Sebastian “Baz” Acker has successfully kept his painful past at bay. But as the end of college draws near, his friends—his buffer zone—are preparing to move on, while his own life is at a crippling standstill.With loneliness bearing down on him, Baz hooks up—then opens up—with Elijah Prince, the guy Baz took a bullet for last year. The aftershocks of their one-night stand leave giant cracks in Baz’s carefully constructed armor. For the first time, the prospect isn’t terrifying.
Accustomed to escaping his demons by withdrawing into his imagination, Elijah isn’t used to having a happy herd of friends. He’s even less comfortable as the object of a notorious playboy’s affections. Yet all signs seem to indicate this time happiness might be within his grasp. When Baz’s mother runs for a highly sought-after public office, the media hounds drag Baz’s and Elijah’s pasts into the light. In the blinding glare, Baz and Elijah face the ultimate test: discovering if they’re stronger together…or apart.
Warning: Contains sex in a Tesla, sex in a cupboard, sex under a piano, kinky role play, and a cappella RuPaul songs. Just a couple of boys groping, battling, then finally loving their way to becoming men.
♥ ♥ ♥ 4 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
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“Being with you, taking care of you, fills up my holes. I don’t want to stop.”
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This book picks up where the last one left off, at Walter and Kelly’s “Big Gay Disney Wedding”–which was totally them. Baz and Elijah are attending the wedding and this is where Baz can’t seem to stop staring at Elijah. He wants to get closer as the tension bulids with each second. They end up having a smoking hot night in Baz’s Tesla. But like Baz always does after sex, he pushes people away, and that is exactly what he does to Elijah. Elijah becomes upset, he knew there wasn’t going to be more to their relationship but he never expected to get the cold shoulder. After everything Elijah has been through, he feels more lonelier than before. He hates that he cares about Baz’s attitude but it does.
Later on, Baz is in need of a date for a fundraiser his wealthy political mother is organizing and it is important he brings a date. His mother was more than willing to find him one, be he decided to lie and say he had a boyfriend. He didn’t know who to ask, so he decided Elijah was the right candidate. Elijah is over being used but after some coaxing he finally relents and goes with Baz. After pretending to be boyfriends that weekend, something happens between them. Neither of them wants it to be over. This is where a real relationship blooms between them.
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“In the moment I felt the most scared and alone, helpless because there was no escape–there you were. Literally saving my life. Not because you wanted something from me or because we were friends. After years of being told I wasn’t worthy to be saved by the people who were supposed to love everyone unconditionally, the coolest guy on campus rescued me because it was the right thing to do.”
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These characters are both broken in their own way, and both feel alone, except Elijah really is because he has no one. Elijah has a hard time trusting people. While Baz’s disability sometimes gets in the way of feeling normal, which makes him feel not worthy. But together they both felt whole and so much more. Baz helps bring Elijah out of his shell more and to accept that people care about him. Elijah challenges Baz and teaches him that he is perfect the way he is. I loved watching these two grow in love together. I was addicted to them. Baz was a total flirt, while Elijah was more reserved but sassy. I was so happy with how well I connected to them. I felt for Elijah’s upbringing that made me a whole lot emotional, and then to learn what happened to Baz, I was so upset. I was so glad they found each other because they were actually perfect for one another.
Another thing I really liked was that once Baz made up his mind that Elijah was all he wanted, he didn’t let anything get in the way of breaking them up. And there was one part in particular where it could of happened, I’m just glad Baz finally stood his ground. I was also really happy to see Walter, Kelly, Giles, and Aaron were still a part of this story, as well as the rest of the gang with some new members, one being Lewis/Lejla–whom I really loved. I loved all the references made throughout the book because it made the story that much more cuter and interesting.
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“I know where you keep your heart, Sebastian.”
“Yes.” He pressed the flat of his hand over the fluttering organ inside Elijah’s chest. “It’s right here.”
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Overall, I really liked this one. I loved both characters and I loved seeing them fall for each other and slowly picking up their broken pieces to become whole. I loved the awesome secondary characters that really added so much to the story. I loved the story line, there were some emotional parts, as well as a little bit of drama, but very little to no angst. The ending was crazy over the top fun and enjoyable. I had a big grin reading that part. This series has become known for being quite cheesy, and this book had plenty as well, which didn’t bother me because I felt like it really worked. That ending really left me smiling and I couldn’t have been more satisfied with their ending. I totally recommend this series. If you haven’t checked it out you should.
~ARC gifted to Kris & Vik Book Therapy Cafe in exchange for an honest review.~
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Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.
I haven’t read this series yet.