Review: "Second Star to the Right" by A.F. Henley
Note: This ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Mason is at that point in his life when he wishes he had someone he could share his days (and nights) with. Unfortunately, he can't seem to find that one person he clicks with, but maybe some time away from the city will do him some good. When his very straight best friend, who he's had a crush on for far longer than should be considered healthy, suggests that he hire the services of a companion so that he'll have someone with while on vacation, Mason initially thinks it's a silly idea...until he makes a split-second decision to finally throw caution to the wind and agrees.
When Mason meets Jack, he's taken aback at how the good looking man makes it abundantly clear what his rules are. All Mason wanted was a companion but Jack likes to remind him that he's a whore (his word choice, not Mason's), and Mason's not sure if doing all this was a good idea after all. However, the more time these two men spend together, the more they lower their guards and enjoy each other's company. But when Jack ends up breaking his own rules, will the unlikely pairing of a very wealthy business owner and a Peter Pan-loving escort have a chance at more?
Second Star to the Right is a contemporary romance by one of my favorite authors, A.F. Henley, and it centers around Mason, a man who has a more than comfortable life thanks to his success in business but isn't the type to flaunt his wealth around. Whatever success he enjoys professionally, he seems to be lacking when it comes to his personal life. The idea of him hiring an escort to spend a week with him in a cabin he's renting may not be the sort of thing other people would approve of but it's only for a limited time period so he decides to take his chances.
I liked how in your face Jack was. He makes no apologies for the kind of person he is or for what his occupation is. He bluntly states that he's a whore because that's what he is and while Mason is not sure how to act on Jack's pronouncements, he is attracted to the man. There's a snarkiness in Jack that may border on meanness every now and again, but there's so more to him than meets the eye, and Mason has the innate ability to see through all the bullshit. Mason is niceness personified and I seriously wanted him to have his long-awaited chance at a happiness.
I couldn't help but think of this story as an M/M version of the Garry Marshall-helmed movie blockbuster Pretty Woman. Let me just stress, however, that this is, by no means, like the film, just that the having a rich businessman and a paid escort falling for one another usually makes me think of Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, respectively, except Jack had more sexy sarcasm and Mason didn't have an ounce of ruthlessness in him. Plus, I'm not sure Jack would go for the vinyl-like thigh-high boots Vivian owns. Hahaha.
On a more personal note, I'd like to publicly thank A.F. Henley for the generosity in offering this warm and light-hearted love story for me to read and review. I'm always humbled by the kindness authors show their readers and I want to express my gratitude to this particular author for going above and beyond. This, however, has no bearing on my rating or review. I'm just happy that A.F. Henley's track record has remained consistent and that, once again, I can't help but gush over this well-written tale of love. Second Star to the Right deserves to receive five stars. ♥
Date Read: 11 May 2015
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