Reviewed by Ami
Title: Private Truths
Author: C.B. Lewis
Heroes: Jack McCall/Edward Marsden
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 264 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 2, 2016
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: For two role models with their reputations on the line, privacy might be a luxury they can’t afford, and love might be impossible.
After returning from service, Army veteran Jack McCall fought his way back from addiction and joined a charity supporting homeless veterans in London, where he became an inspiration to others. He approaches Edward Marsden, Viscount Routhsley, a known playboy and philanthropist, about sponsorship for his charity. To his surprise, Edward isn’t the shallow pleasure-seeker everyone assumes, and he and Edward share many interests. Little by little, they are drawn together in spite of the different worlds they come from.
But for two men in the public eye, happiness won’t be so easily achieved. Edward fears coming out as gay will shift attention from his charity work, and Jack worries his relationship with the aristocrat will undermine the integrity of his foundation. They come under intense scrutiny, leading to an inevitable clash between Jack and the press who won’t stop harassing them. As what they’ve built comes crashing down, Jack and Edward must make a choice: continue presenting the facade the public expects, or expose the private truths in their hearts so they can be together.
Review: C.B. Lewis is definitely one of my favorite new-to-me authors that I discovered in 2016. Private Truths is the 4th story of hers that I read and it’s another satisfying one.
Jack is an army veteran who works at Those Returned, a charity for veterans. Jack finds himself being drawn toward Edward Marsden, Viscount Routhsley who sponsors the charity. Despite the differences of their social status, Jack and Edward decide to give the attraction a chance. Until news from a tabloid that has been speculating on Edward’s sexuality threatens to expose the relationship…
I’m not usually a fan of stories related to famous people especially when one of both of them are in the closet. The secrecy, the frustration, the stress due to the protecting one’s reputation amidst the pressure of being in the public eye, sometimes disrupts the romance for me.
So, what I loved about Private Truths is how solid Jack and Edward were together, despite the ordeals coming from ramifications of how Jack handled the hounding reporter. There is a level of hurt/comfort here as Edward being protective of his lover when Jack facing the assault charges.
The suspense of wondering what will happen to Jack adds to the enjoyment of the whole book for me, in addition to the lovely romance. I was on edge thinking would Jack go to prison and what the tabloid would further pursue. I thought C.B. Lewis balanced out the romance and the suspense nicely.
I also loved the secondary characters – Matilda, Edward’s secondhand woman and Henderson, Jack’s boss. Edward’s father, the septuagenarian bisexual who shortly makes an appearance in a couple of scenes is a delight.
All in all, another winning title from Ms. Lewis for me. I look forward for future stories from her.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
The Blogger Girls 