Smitten
As much as I wanted to love this book, I didn't. Oh, it's a good book. From Maris Black, no less. This novel only proved she has a lot more to show in the future.Here we have the story of a filthy rich (and straight-my ass) guy with a openly-gay handsome college student.
The first book in the series is the one about the couple of wrestlers in the college team and Dan is a friend of both of them. But we hardly spend time at the university anymore. Dan is offered to act as a boyfriend for Avery, a rich girl, back at her home in exchange of some holidays in a luxurious environment and expensive clothes. He tells himself it's just a fun charade that will harm no one although lying is not his thing.
He doesn't expect to fall for her brother. Julian is a dick since the moment they meet but somehow that only makes him more desired by Dan. We can't always rule our brain, right?
The story is not as agile as its predecessor in the sense of the atmosphere being heavier and mournful. Whereas Beck and Jeremy's banter and interactions were snarky and naughty, Julian and Dan are more controlled. To a certain point that's understandable, as Dan is faking his "straighness" for the sake of Avery and Julian is faking his due to peer pressure (AKA his father's expectations).
The tone of the book is more serious and sometimes a little sad. Both have issues but Julian's are more apparent.
There were moments that spoiled the mood. Sometimes the scenes were too immature for my taste. There were some WTF moments I couldn't believe at all. For instance, when Dan is drunk, he ask why Julian is not and suddenly Julian grabs a bottle and begins drinking. It's like... Seriously? Just like that? Ok, Julian has alcohol problems but that response at a silly question doesn't strike me as a logical one. I think if it had been written in a different way, it would have been more credible. In other moment they call a taxi and they make out in it. No fu***** way!
A streak of drama takes place when Julian's friend commits suicide. From the eyes of an outsider, it's a little OTT but I don't regret that lineplot.
And coincidences... Dan's photo choice at class is one of Julian's? No comments.
The break-up scene is a good one, Julian is not stable and have issues to sort out and when Dan wakes up the next morning and finds the bracelet on his wrist is a beautiful and heart-wrenching moment but I didn't expect Julian to disappear all of a sudden. Then Julian lending him his car with no explanations is a little of an anticlimatic moment. When Julian comes back and says that they didn't let him use the telephone in the rehabilitation place? Seriously?
I liked the development and the turn of events when Dan comes back home although IMO that last bit of miscommunication could have gone amiss. I'm aware it wouldn't have been the same, being a witness of his angst but another excuse would have been better. I enjoyed the stripper dancing at the end. Although I really don't understand Beck's idea of opening a club with Julian all of a sudden. Where do they get the money from?
Pay no mind to all this negativity, I'm bitching in excess, because I truly enjoyed the book. I just can't help myself from commenting the mistakes. Oh, and I totally loved the scene with Beck and Jeremy together. I almost melted when Beck asks Julian how much money the bracelet costs, just to buy one for Jeremy *fangirling*.
I hoped Seth's book would be the #3 but it's Blake's instead. He's a strange character, it looks like it will be an exciting book.
