Title: Dirty Kisses
Author: Sean Michael
Length: 5,000 words
Publisher: Amber Allure
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Rating: B-
Blurb:
Bussy, the manager of a gay ski resort, is into only twinks. At least that’s what he has always believed, until one evening after he gets dumped by his latest boyfriend, he notices Quint, the hot bartender.
Quint is the complete opposite of a twink. In fact, he’s even taller than Bussy and definitely well-built. Could the shy bartender be exactly what Bussy’s been looking for all along?
Review:
Sometimes I’m in the mood for something rude and raunchy, something which is a little bit more than erotica – a shade of romance, a hint of a HFN/HEA. It’s during those times I head off for a Sean Michael book and damn if he doesn’t come up with the goods pretty much every time. Dirty Kisses is an example of this type of story. We get a bit of a story in hotel manager Bussy (short for Debussy, poor guy) whose latest twink storms out in a petulant show of anger. Bussy goes to the bar where his attention is caught by the barman Quint (yes, all Sean Michael books seem to have guys with odd names. It’s a thing). Quint’s been lusting after his boss for three years but he’s not Bussy’s type at all, being tall and wide and not small and slender. Once the flirting is done they head up to Bussy’s room where much sexiness occurs.
What set this above some of the more formulaic Sean Michael stories was the interaction between Bussy and Quint. Bussy is surprised by his attraction to the burly bartender and I liked his reaction to Quint’s quiet nervousness and innocence. Quint’s awe at being the object of Bussy’s attentions after so many years of lusting after him was also rather endearing. The sex between then was hot and although it did on occasion slip into the author’s sometimes overuse of one word dialogue, there wasn’t as much of it as I’ve come to expect. Instead the sparing use actually enhanced the scene, showing how carried away the men were getting with each other.
There’s not a lot of background to the characters, just a few hints given in bits during the story but that didn’t bother me too much because the focus of the story is on the immediate interaction and Bussy’s change in feeling for Quint. It’s not pretending to be an extended piece of romantic fiction, rather just a shapshot of two guys hooking up, much to the surprise of both of them. The scene ends on a HFN and I was content to leave them in bed contemplating another round!
For this story to work, you really do have to be in the mood for an erotic piece with a hint of romance. If you come at it with no other expectations then, like me, I think you’ll enjoy it.
It’s definitely a thing. LOL
I may check this one out. I do have a soft spot for the author.
I do too, Tam. When I’m in the mood, otherwise I get annoyed at some of the particular features of his writing.
Funny about the weird names in SM books, mentioned here and at Tam’s place today! 😀
I haven’t seen that post yet as I’m still catching up. I’ll go check it out :).
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