Chasing the Dream – Gay Romance Org

Title: Chasing the Dream
Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 11th, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary, Self-discovery
Page Count: 183
Reviewed by: PIU
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Brian Paulson has lived a life of luxury and ease. If he’s been left lonely because of his family’s pursuit of wealth and their own happiness, he figures it’s a small price to pay for what he sees as most important: money.

Cade McAllister has never had it easy. He works two jobs to support himself, his mother, and his special-needs brother. They don’t have much, but to Cade, love and taking care of the people who are important to him mean more than material possessions. When Cade is mugged in the park, he can’t afford to lose what little he has, and he’s grateful for Brian’s intervention.

Cade is given a chance to return the favor when Brian’s grandfather passes away and Brian’s assets are frozen. Cade offers Brian a place to stay and helps him find work, and the two men grow closer as they learn the good and the bad of the very different worlds they come from. Just as Brian is starting to see there’s more to life than what money can buy, a clause in his grandfather’s will could send their relationship up in smoke.

“Change in itself is often neither good nor bad. It’s what we do with the opportunities that come with change that counts.”

“Chasing the Dream” by Andrew Grey is a heart warming story about recognizing and appreciating the real from the fake of life. The author delivers a powerful story with a very important life lesson. I was pulled in by the characters and the plot and at the end I was a very satisfied reader.

Brian Paulson has always lived in the lap of luxury. He has never wanted for a single thing in his life. He has money, cars, friends to party with and an enviable trust fund to fuel his life of extravagance. After the death of his grandfather, Brian loses it all. As per the instructions in the will, Brian needs to go through tests which will determine his inheritance’s fate. He has to live and work hard like a normal bloke to earn the money required for his daily living. As soon as the news of his dilemma spreads, all his so called friends abandon him. Now he’s on his own. The only person who helps Brian during his unfortunate times is Cade McAllister. Cade is a hard working guy who works two jobs for a living while also selflessly trying to support and provide for a better future to an older brother who has a mind of a 7 year old. Cade gives Brian a place to live on his couch and helps him keep a job. He becomes the only support and a likely idol for Brian. Brian’s feelings for Cade develop slowly as they share the same roof and get to know each other more. Brian admires Cade and definitely wants more than friendship with him. But Cade is reluctant. Brian is from a completely different world than Cade’s and he is afraid that when Brian gets his old life back, Cade will get his heart broken. But through all the struggles and the new life lessons learned by Brian, the couple gets to their HEA and it was glorious.

I liked Brian a lot. He is a spoiled rich kid but he had never actually got the chance to live a life other than the one he had. His grandfather’s will gives him a push to better himself and Brian passes the test with flying colours. This read was a journey of Brian’s realization of the hardships of life and how to use his status and money as a privileged individual, to give back to the community. Brian had a lonely childhood. He never got to know his mother. After her death, his grandmother was his only consolation but even she dies a year later. His grandfather never got over his daughter’s death to mend the bridges with his grandson while he was alive. But he knew that Brian was the only redeemable member among his shallow family to take over the responsibility of the huge Paulson wealth. Brian fulfils his dream to belong to a family who are there for him and not for his money. I respected him for his efforts to help Phillip and the other less fortunate people just like him. For a 25 year old rich brat, learning such a valuable life lesson and then turning his life around for the better within a few months was remarkable.

Cade was sweet, gentle and a kind soul. His love and care for Phillip was admirable. He had a hard life, still does and he works hard without any resentment. Cade was the perfect role model for Brian. He was hard working and resilient with a great love for his family. He is proud of the hard work he does and does not let anyone give him shit for his working class status.

I enjoyed the journey of the MCs throughout this wonderful book. I have read one or two books by this author in the past and I am kicking myself for not reading more. I will definitely look out for his future works from now on.

All in all, this book is sweet, non-angsty and a lovely read where two guys from completely different walks of life come together and fall in Love while “Chasing the Dream”.