Title: The Mating of Michael
Author: Eli Easton and Michael Stellman (Narrator)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 17th 2015
Genre(s): M/M/ Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 240 pages
Reviewed by: Belen
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Note: This can also be read as a stand-alone title.
Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it’s cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his spare time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.
James Gallway’s life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he’s lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can’t believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.
Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.
Another great story by Eli Easton. She has consistently delivered with each book of hers that I’ve read so far.
Even managed to get me to cry this time too.
The hurt/comfort in this story is immaculate. When I first met Michael in The Trouble With Tony I thought he was an irrepressible little flirt and I liked him very, very much. When I got to see a bit more of him in The Enlightenment of Daniel I fell just a little bit more than in like with him. But now? I am totally all about Team Michael. I love him so much! His loneliness and vulnerability just cut through me. I wanted him to get his HEA. (Spoiler: He does!)
For me, this book is all about Michael (and Lamb). James and his flashbacks are all right, but frankly, if he didn’t make Michael so happy I wouldn’t like him very much.
The narration is terrific!
Michael Stellman doesn’t do a lot of voices; he doesn’t strike me as a huge performance narrator. His narration is more emotional. The way he delivers the words to you draws you in and blankets you in the story. He’s not about the flash, he’s all about the feeling.
And boy did I have the feels.
Eli Easton brings you a story steeped in hurt and comfort, with so many emotions, and then hot sex, and maybe a little too much backstory, but it’s all just freaking fantastic. Personally, it’s (by far) my favorite story in the series so far.
Get this book! Get the audio! Just…GET IT!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Sex in Seattle Series
