Get a grip doesn't mean what I thought it meant...

Get a Grip - L.A. Witt

I was actually going to take a pass on this one. I'm not even really sure why probably more a case of 'so many books, so little time'. Anyways, somewhere along the way during my reading of 'Three Player Game' book #20, this one keep niggling at my brain and I peeked at it more than a couple of times finally deciding that if I was going to spend this much time reading the blurb and starting at the cover, I needed to read the book and just get it done.

 

What I discovered was that I would have missed out on a really good story if I'd kept to my original plan and skipped this one. Sometimes changing your mind really is a good idea.

 

Shane's works as a 'grip' on the set of 'Wolf's Landing', he's bi and the father of 3 a teenage daughter and twin boys. It's been a long time since he's dated and after his last divorce he's decided that his relationships needed to be attachment free.

 

Aaron own's a local garage, he's a volunteer firefighter and adrenaline junkie. He's also a confirmed bachelor who belongs to a large dog named Jack and three cats...Snowball, Oreo and Tiger and luckily he likes his relationships attachment free as well. It's a match made in heaven, right?

 

Or at least it should be. But when what you think you want suddenly becomes what you have and the last thing you need. Things can get a little confusing. Shane just wants some no strings attached sex and the chance to relive his youth...the one that he missed because he was busy being a single dad raising his kids. But now that they're getting older and don't need him there quite as much...maybe, it's time for Shane to take a walk on the wild side.

 

When Aaron shows up on the Wolf's Landing sound stage following a storm that's done some serious damage. Both men are interested but work is neither the time nor the place in either of their opinions.  Later that day when Aaron spots Shane on Grindr, Aaron's surprise is quickly replaced with renewed interest leading to what's suppose to be a one time hook-up that quickly turns into more taking things from one-time to as often as they can.

 

My biggest reservation with this one was that it was going to be over the top sex that would have me rolling my eyes and the story getting lost because of it...not an unrealistic expectation given that this relationship is very much a 'lust-at-first-sight' situation. But sometimes ya just gotta' have faith and I've read enough L. A. Witt books lately that I've really enjoyed to realize I should have known better.

 

Shane and Aaron definitely have their share of sexy times but I'm good with the how the author handled this. Not all the sex is on page, or given in totally graphic detail, but don't panic, we're given some very good sexy times with these two. The not graphic and off page is well balanced with the hot, steamy times that are very much present and on page and along with this we're given two men getting to know each other. Sharing time together that doesn't always involve getting naked but talking and cuddling and kissing these two love to kiss...which for me can be every bit as hot and sexy as getting naked when there's hearts involved.

 

I loved Shane and Aaron. I loved that they were both older. Shane is in his 40s and Aaron is in his early 30s, so they've both been around for a while and have a bit of life experience under their belts. I was thoroughly take with their relationship from how it started to how it grew and changed and ultimately how things came to be resolved between them. it was a hard earned HEA for these two and one that I was so happy to see them finally get.

 

'Get a Grip' is book #20 in the Bluewater Bay series and while I've only read 11 of them (including this one)...yes, I have some catching up to do and I'm looking forward to it. I've enjoyed reading this series and although it goes against my 'must read in order' compulsion I've come to really appreciate how easily these books can be read out of order and still fully enjoyed.

 

********************

An ARC of 'Get a Grip' was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.