Padme's Library: Review Tour: Under the Boardwalk by Felice Stevens

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Review Tour: Under the Boardwalk by Felice Stevens

Title: Under the Boardwalk

Author: Felice Stevens

Series: Landmarks #1

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: August 10, 2017

Summary:
Beneath the famous Brooklyn landmark, love is hidden but not denied:

All his life, Alexi Kharpov has dreamed of traveling to unknown exciting places instead of working at his family’s frozen custard stand on the famous Coney Island boardwalk. Every year is the same until a gorgeous man picks a spot in front of his stand to sing, captivating him with his beautiful voice. After two summers of listening, it might finally be the time for him to cross that boardwalk and take a chance.

Opera singer Cameron Maxwell has traveled the world, but the sight of the beautiful man serving custard to tourists touches his heart like nothing ever has before. A summer fling might be exactly what he needs to put his problems out of his mind, but the last thing Cam expects is to want the summer to last forever.

It’s a season of discovery for both men who learn to dig deep within their heads and hearts to decide whether secrets old and new should remain buried, or if love is too important to keep hidden under the boardwalk.

Alexi Kharpov dreams of seeing the world but instead spends his time working his family's frozen custard stand at Coney Island. Cameron Maxwell sees the world as an opera singer but is enthralled with a frozen custard stand server. When these two begin a summer fling, will life ever be the same?

I haven't read all of Felice Stevens' work yet but she is one of my 1-click authors and Under the Boardwalk is another example of why and how she made that list. Alexi's want to see the world tugs at most of our heartstrings, lets face it most of us want to see more than our own backyard but most of us also don't have the opportunity to do so. Cam has seen the world and for that most of us envy him for it but constant travel doesn't exactly live up to what most of us dream about. When these two meet, everything is wonderful, okay maybe not wonderful as it takes two summers for them to actually approach each other but its still gratifying.

Summer fling turns into something more, who doesn't love that? Yes, it might seem a bit insta-love but for me that's A-Okay because it fits the story and the characters and definitely the setting. Now having said that, don't think Under the Boardwalk is a cakewalk and that all the bells and whistles come without drama and angst for Cam and Alexi. They both have some outside issues that need dealing with if they are going to be happy but I loved discovering every one of those factors and I think you will too, especially if you are a fan of love. I could go into detail what those issues are but I won't because I loved discovering them with each new page and I don't want to ruin that level of anticipation for you.

Some might find it a bit rushed as this is a novella and the length doesn't always allow for as much detail as a reader wants but in this case, Boardwalk was perfect because it is a summer fling(and yes they both want more) and by definition they are short-lived so a novella is the perfect venue for this one. I look forward to further stories in Felice Stevens' new Landmarks series and all the possibilities.

RATING:

“I didn’t mean to shut you out before.” Cam faced him and held him around the waist. Their bodies meshed perfectly, and Alexi felt the weight of Cam’s chest and thighs press into his body.

“I hate talking about the past. You can’t change it, so what’s the point of rehashing things? I’m all about the present and the future.”

Cam’s mouth covered his, and Alexi held on to Cam’s hips as their tongues played against each other. He lost touch with the sound of the ocean; all he could hear was the furious pounding of his heart and Cam’s heavy breathing.

“All the time I watched you this summer, thinking you were cute and fun, never once imagining how much I’d like you.”

“I thought about you all summer too.” No longer shy about admitting it, Alexi nuzzled into the crook of Cam’s neck. “I guess it was a good thing we finally decided to say hello.”

“A good thing?” Cam took his face between the palms of his hands, and Alexi’s heart burst with happiness; he tried not to smile but failed.

“I think so, don’t you?”

“Yeah. The best.”

Author Bio:
I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, My characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love, but getting there is oh so fun and oh so sexy.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass (or two of red wine). I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there are bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.