Reviewed by JustJen
Title: IVAN vs. IVAN
Author: Princess S.O.
Series: The Teddy Bear Collection #3
Heroes: Ivan Voloshyn/Ivan Blažević
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 80 Pages
Publisher: Proud Indy
Release Date: August 13, 2015
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Out here in the North Sea love usually passes a man by like a ship in the night. So it’s a nice surprise when the captain of the ship hired to transport Ivan’s platform rig into port for the winter might actually offer some unexpected non-business type amenities as well.
Ivan Voloshyn owns and operates the Marianna Shoal, a deep sea oil rig. It’s hard work and long days out in harsh weather. And he loves it that way. Because that’s what he knows. Seabeds— rigs— oil— and bad weather. He’s also about to find out the Norse Gods have a sense of humor. For who should it be to come riding in on the Sea Dock Heavy Lift ship? Another Ivan.
Captain Ivan Blažević knows who he is and what he wants. Problem is, he also knows he can’t have it. Just because the rest of the world is coming out of the closet doesn’t mean every gay man can or should. Out here on the seas the weather can change in an instant. He needs to trust his crew to do their job, and their hostility towards gays would get in the way of that if he was ever found out.
Ivan-the rig-owner’s very presence threatens Blažević’s closet doors, nevertheless it’s hard to turn that away, because he wants him to keep doing so.
Out here, the North Sea can change a man’s life— but hatred can take it away.
Review: What an interesting story this installment turned out to be. I can honestly say I have never ready anything even close to the setting that takes place here, and I found it extremely refreshing. It is a different world for these guys working out in the ocean, and I really enjoyed learning about the oil rigs and the people who work on them.
You know these guys have to be tough – it’s not an easy life by any stretch of the imagination. One Ivan is a captain of an oil rig, the other the captain of the boat/ship that helps relocate the rigs. I thought it would be difficult at first to keep the Ivans straight, but I had no trouble at all. The author does a fabulous job keeping things clear on who is who. Ivan the rig captain (Ivan 1) is out, but not in any type of relationship. Ivan the boat captain (Ivan 2) is deeply closeted, mostly in fear of his employer, a Russian company.
These guys have great chemistry, and it was fun to watch Ivan 1 bring Ivan 2 out of his gay shell. What’s sexier than two growly but sweet, mature alphas getting sexy? Not much in my book. They have some trials and tribulations to go through wherein they each learn what is important in their lives. The closet issue puts a damper on things a bit, but Ivan 2 comes around in the end when it counts, and in a big way. I loved how their roles ended up switching as Ivan 2 takes over the title of Ivan 1, and vice versa.
I have really enjoyed all of the stories in this series, all about growly bear alpha types. Each can be read as stand alones, as they don’t intersect. I believe this was my favorite of the three so far, and I look forward to more.
Overall Impression: I loved it
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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