Title: Lonely Hearts
Series: Love Lessons, Book 3
Author: Heidi Cullinan
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: August 11, 2015 by Samhain Publishing
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.
Reviewed by: Crissy
Why I Read This Book: I've been waiting for Baz and Elijah's story since I knew there was a Baz and Elijah.
In A Nutshell: Perfection amplified. This book is worth every tear and angst-suffocating moment. And then some.
What I Liked: While I thought I loved Baz and Elijah before, it's nothing compared to now. I think, though, what I liked the most was the struggle these guys went through to get to each other. Elijah and his broody stubbornness is really the boy who wants to be loved and to love in return. Baz is a spoiled rich kid who was brought down to earth by tragedy and lives in his family's shadow. He's a playboy who truly wants his happily ever after. And when these guys find their stride together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
What I Also Liked: Drag queens. Bitchy attitudes. The newly transitioned. Anime. Rock stars. RuPaul. This story is full of all of the best sorts of geekery. My head almost exploded with the happy. This book is beautiful in its romance but fun and exciting in its many intricacies.
Cameos. Have you read Dance With Me? Yes? Then you'll know Ed and Laurie. I was head over heels with the Ed and Laurie roll in this story. It's been so long since I've acquainted myself with that book, I believe I'll have a re-read soon. Not to mention the many insights into Walter and Kelly's and Aaron and Giles's relationship.
This book is darker than the other two—an insight to chronic pain management (both mentally and physically). You see, Elijah may not have the physical pains Baz suffers, but his internal issues, with his parents and with himself are chronically devastating to him. Neither of these guys have their stuff together, yet Baz is the catalyst for Elijah's healing, and the same goes for the reverse. It's a heart wrenching, powerful, painful journey, but it's wonderful and exciting and not altogether expected by the end.
What I Didn’t Like: Is this a trick question?
In My Opinion: Lonely Hearts is a must read for New Adult fans and fans of broken, traumatized power couples.
Memorable Moments:
Crissy’s Rating:
Crissy’s reviews for other books in this series:
Fever Pitch, Book 2
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