The Senator’s Secret (Lily G’s Review)

Title: The Senator’s Secret (Dreamspun Desires)
Author: K.C. Wells Narrator: John Solo
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: 09-19-2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Length: 6 hours and 11 mins
Reviewed by: Lily G. Blunt
Heat Level: 2 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Politics, puppy dogs, and passion, oh my!

When his Republican opponent outs him with a photo in a Facebook post, Senator Samuel Dalton doesn’t have many options open to him. It doesn’t matter that the photo is totally innocent. He has no choice but to come clean…until his staff suggest putting a spin on it that leaves Sam reeling.

Sure, he’ll end up with a lot of sympathy, not to mention the possibility of more voters from the LGBT community, but it still seems a pretty drastic solution.

Now all they have to do is persuade Gary, the other man in the photo, to play along. It sounds so easy: convince the constituents of North Carolina that he and Sam are engaged.

No big deal, except for the fact that they’ve only just met….

Dreamspun Desires is an imprint from Dreasmspinner Press that provides romantic novels with ‘heartwarming heroes, cracktastic clichés, and terrific tropes.’

This is a light romantic comedy with a feel-good storyline and one that remains fairly angst-free. In fact, the first half or so almost has a farcical feel to it, as if someone might slip on a banana any minute. There are several amusing episodes throughout that are likely to make you chuckle or laugh depending on your sense of humour.

I enjoy fake boyfriend stories and this one was fun although a little far-fetched. You have to suspend belief for this story and treat it as you would a Mills and Boon story or an episode of Will and Grace.

Sam is a wholesome and hardworking state senator hoping to be re-elected. He’s been so focused on his political objectives that he’s remained in the closet and hasn’t even had a hook-up, let alone kissed another guy. He is an honourable man. Yet when a photo of him innocently hugging another man is misused by a homophobic rival, Sam is left with no choice but to agree to the fake fiancé scheme concocted by his aides. Fortunately, Gary—the guy he soon becomes engaged to—is good-looking and has a great personality. There’s definitely insta-attraction as the two men click almost straight away. This is almost, but not quite, insta-love as well as they try to convince the electorate they are engaged, and in the process fall head over heels for each other. They do make an adorable couple and come across as believable, mainly because it’s turning into something real between them.

I particularly liked their interaction when they are alone and the developing relationship as they fall for each other, culminating in two beautiful loving scenes. I especially adored the story after they start admitting their true feelings and their first sweet kiss. This is almost a squeaky clean romance—like the senator himself. The lovemaking scene towards the end when Sam loses his cherry is smoking hot.

The cast of supporting characters are great, including Dinky the Newfoundland dog. Sam’s mother and his political aides make the story highly entertaining too.

‘It’s all about the feel-good loving that will leave you grinning.’

John Solo is one of my favourite narrators. He holds my attention and draws me into a story with his excellent character voices and superb style. His pacing is spot on and he particularly makes the amusing scenes great fun to hear. Best of all, he gets the emotions just right and portrays the chemistry between the main characters wonderfully.