Book Review: Rough Edges by Cardeno C.

Reviewed by Morgan 

Title: Rough Edges
Author: Cardeno C.
Heroes: Kyle Potter/Brent Haralson
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 17,127 Words
Publisher: The Romance Authors
Release Date: February 1, 2017
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Kyle has an unwelcome crush on his nemesis Brent. Brent has a welcome crush on his friend Kyle. As it turns out, the line between a friend and an enemy doesn’t have to be a line at all.

Born on the wrong side of the tracks to the wrong family, Kyle Potter has spent his life clawing his way toward a better future. When he gets the perfect job at the perfect firm in perfect Los Angeles, Kyle is sure there are only blue skies ahead. And then he meets perfect Brent Haralson.

Born with a silver spoon to a well-established family, Brent Haralson has never been interested in leveraging his connections. Friends, success, and dates come easily to Brent and rejection isn’t something he has to deal with in life. And then he meets perfect Kyle Potter.

Kyle despises his unwelcome crush on his lazy, arrogant nemesis. Brent welcomes his feelings for his stubborn, brilliant friend. As it turns out, the line between a friend and an enemy doesn’t have to be a line at all.

Review: As the little bit at the bottom of the blurb tells us, this was a short story previously included in the Anthology “It Was Always You”. That group of stories was all about friends falling in love with friends. In this case, it’s a bit like enemies falling for one another because Kyle has been nothing but rude to Brent ever since Kyle found out Brent’s a trust-funder without a job.

Brent, meanwhile, never takes anything Kyle says to heart and in fact, when the chips are down, offers Kyle a room in his house and support in finding his feet again.

Luckily, Kyle learns some stuff about Brent that shows Brent to be more than he seems – still unemployed, but maybe not quite a slacker, either.

**

In typical Cardeno style, we have a really sweet story of two fun and interesting people. We get a bit of hot smexy times, some humor, and a really touching “awww” for an ending.

I have to hand it to people who can aptly create a fully developed story in only a few words. This is absolutely one of them! Despite it’s short length, it felt very satisfying by the end.

I can’t say I totally loved their relationship – Kyle was a jerk for most of the time and he did seem to turn on a dime when sex was offered – but I think the “feels” were real and when the big “reveal” occurs, their decision to move forward felt really authentic.

Totally enjoyable way to spend an hour or so!

4.25 (rounded to 4.5) of 5 stars

Overall Impression: I loved it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*