Reviewed by Morgan
Title: Ace in the Hole
Author: Ava Drake
Series: Wild Cards #1, Dreamspun Desires #13
Heroes: Christian/Stone
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 216 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 1, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Surveillance, seduction, and extra-dirty politics.
Christian Chatsworth-Brandeis has a problem. A huge one. The US senator he works for has run away with his latest mistress on the eve of a make-or-break fund-raising event, and it’s up to him to cover his boss’s irresponsible tracks.
Stone Jackson, the senator’s new bodyguard, looks enough like the senator that, with some extensive grooming, he might pass for Senator Lacey. Christian and Stone hatch a plan to fool everyone by substituting Stone for the senator, but Miami madness and the incendiary heat between them are throwing obstacles in their way. It’s a race to find the senator and pull off the con of the century before the attraction between them spins completely out of control.
Review: The blurb sets up the main story – and the main story is the center piece of the book. Though the relationship building between Stone and Christian is certainly part of this, the intrigue and politics are center stage.
**
When Christian and Stone first meet, it’s very, very hot. Christian hasn’t been “topped” in forever due to his name and career, so when toppy Stone comes in and manhandles him, it was very sexy. But the story quickly changes after that point.
Instead of the frenemies and angry sex and the beginning of a relationship I was expecting, I got way more political intrigue than I wanted.
That alone wouldn’t have bothered me if it weren’t for the HFN ending that was so tepid. I just didn’t feel the strong romance with these guys that I longed for. There was lots of chemistry but not many feels. I’m not sure if the following books in Ava Drake’s series are meant to be about these guys or new characters, but I hope it’s about these guys and we get more. I’d definitely read more about them if I was guaranteed more feels.
So… if action/adventure/politics are your thing – this was easy to read and fun, but if a sweet romance is what you’re looking for – keep looking.
Overall Impression: It was good
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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