Guava Red: Almost Paradise

Title: Guava Red: Almost Paradise
Author: T.C. Blue
Cover Artist: Alessia Brio
Publisher: Torquere Books
Buy Link: Buy Link Guava Red: Almost Paradise
Genre: M/M contemporary romance
Length: 178 pages
Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

A guest review by Jenre

Summary Review:
Book four in the Rainbow Colour Box series stands on its own, helped by two likeable leads and a romantic reunited lovers storyline.

THE BLURB

Bastian and Chase first meet at a party in Hawaii and are immediately drawn to each other. Things end less than well, though, and what could have been a beautiful friendship is cut off short. Bastian and Chase forget about each other and move on, or so they think. The two men find success in their chosen fields and believe their past relationship to be over and done. They never even think about each other from opposite sides of the country.

When a chance meeting in Connecticut dredges up old feelings and equally old pains, it’s up to them to decide whether or not to forge through the assumptions they’ve made and get to the truth underneath — that they’ve never truly forgotten each other and maybe their earlier friendship was something much more. Between their jobs, friends, responsibilities, and an interfering man who wants Bastian for his own, there are hard decisions to make; like whether they really have a chance, when paradise is so long ago and so far away.

Like whether ‘almost’ paradise can be enough.

THE REVIEW

This series used to be called the Fruit basket series, so don’t be confused by the new series title. I’ve been following it ever since book 1 Lemon Yellow: Making Lemonade, and have been thoroughly enjoying each new instalment. This book takes a slight detour away from the circle of close knit friends that have been featured in the previous three books and instead branches out, leaving only brief glimpses of Riley and Kelly from book three to satisfy fans of Riley and his foul mouth.

The story begins with two young men who meet on Hawaii. Bastian is the son of rich parents who have sent him to stay with his cousin who claims to have been turned straight. They are hoping that his influence will turn Bastian straight too and Bastian is humouring them, knowing that this will never happen. He meets Chase at a party and they hit it off straight away. Chase is looking around at schools in Hawaii, trying to decide what he wants to do with his life. Just as they are starting to really fall for each other, they are suddenly separated. Eight years later the two meet entirely by chance when Bastian arrives in Connecticut on business. This time Chase is determined to set the past to rights and start over with their friendship, hoping that it will lead to more.

Part of the reason why this story worked from me were the ‘nice guy’ characters of Chase and Bastian. When we meet them at the beginning they are typical young men. Chase is searching for a career and Bastian is using his year out to find out about the ground level of his family fruit growing business. When they come together there’s a certain level of immaturity which fit well with their age and experience. Later we see them as more mature adults, making a name for themselves, but also with a more sensible outlook which enables them to put aside past hurts and talk to one another. I liked seeing this difference in their characters, it made them more rounded as individuals.

The accidental meet was handled in a believable fashion and I liked how the character of Riley’s uncle Peter was used effectively as a bridge between the two men. Chase’s job as a chef was an interesting twist and I really liked the way he interacts with his staff, especially his friend Brenda. There’s a great sense of camaraderie between Chase and his staff which not only showed Chase to be a real good guy but also gave the restaurant setting a realistic feel.

In terms of the romance, once all past concerns are set aside, there’s not too much more to this story than a slow deepening of feeling between the heroes. Whilst I enjoyed reading this, the lack of forward thrust in the plotting made it a book I finished thinking that I’d enjoyed it but it hadn’t left a lasting impression. That isn’t to say the book is dull, far from it. Instead the gentle pacing pulled me along and the sex scenes were well written with a good mix of hot and tender. However, the characters of Chase and Bastian are no more than just a couple of nice guys, and whilst I was pleased at their romance and liked them as characters, I don’t think I really need a second book.

Overall, Guava Red: Almost Paradise was an entertaining read but not really more than that. I’d happily recommend it to those looking for a nicely written romance with decent characterisation. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series which I think deals with Riley’s uncle, Peter, and the relationship that he has with the frankly rather poinsonous Dex. I look forward to seeing whether the author can make a sympathetic character out of him!