Review of The Lake House by Jerry Cole

The Lake House by Jerry Cole 3*
BLURB: Lieutenant Carlos Vasquez is recuperating at his quiet family cabin after a traumatic incident of war left him emotionally scarred. A hard and stoic man, he has spent his life believing that true happiness could never be attained for a man like him. Having seen the world’s grimmest realities, he harbors a cynical view of fate and has decided that a person’s happiness is based on luck rather than whether or not they deserve it. A shell of a man, Carlos is shaken out of the grim pattern he is living when he encounters a young girl during a life-threatening incident. He is quickly pulled into her world of irresponsible rock star fathers and soft-hearted pastors. This colorful cast of new people in his life take Carlos on a series of events involving secret coves, fabulous birthday parties, and a long, dramatic, child custody battle.

By chance, the wise-cracking girl is connected to a mysterious man from Carlos’ past. The details unfold and the lieutenant discovers that the lives of the people in his life are a lot more involved and complicated than he initially anticipated. Having assumed the least in everyone, his perspective is challenged, but will it stay that way for long? Why is this mysterious man from his past in this girl’s life, and what does he want from Carlos? Will he sacrifice the happiness of a little girl if he pursues happiness, or perhaps, something more?

Assisting Carlos in his recovery and foibles in love is his force of nature grandmother, Abuela Maria, who has a history of war, love, and healing of her own. She pushes him further into the lives of others with no small amount of meddling, tough love, and confidence not often found in little old ladies her age. Will Carlos find the happiness everyone so desperately wants for him?

My Review: I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review. I must admit this book did not appeal to me as much as some of the author's other stories. For one I never really understood the relationship between the main two characters as most of the time I felt that Carlos was living a completely different reality to the one Rev was living. I also didn't understand Rev and his taking on the daughter of his ex wife, it jsut didn't seem to me a realistic thing for anyone to do. I gave it a 3 because of the character of Abuela Maria and just wish she had been in the book more as, for me, she was the most real person in it.

Reviewing He's Worth It by Jerry Cole.

He's Worth It by Jerry Cole 3*
BLURB: After Chris’ break-up with his ex-girlfriend, he’s pretty sure that nothing is ever going to be the same again. He thinks that she’s probably right to walk out, anyway. After falling into a deep depression, things seem to start getting better. He decides to join a local volunteer acting troupe. That’s where he meets Jacob, the charismatic young lead with the rainbow-colored hair tips and an easy smile. When Jacob offers to be his private acting coach, Chris feels like he’s just won the lottery. He has no reason to believe that these private acting lessons are going to become so much more. Soon, he finds himself with intense and confusing feelings for Jacob. They make no sense. Chris has never been into guys before.
Things haven’t been going that well for Jacob. After a few small roles, he’s starting to find himself with no work again. Soon, he’s tempted to fall back into old habits. A few random encounters make him believe that maybe he and his new friend Chris are more than just friends, but Jacob knows enough about straight boys. He needs to steer clear of him if he doesn’t want a world of pain. Chris’ allure is far too much, though, and soon he finds himself in an explosive relationship. With Chris’ crazy ex and a whole lot of his own past that he would like to hide, Jacob is pretty sure that this relationship isn’t going to work out in the long-term.
Maybe if Chris can get a handle on the situation with his ex, Jacob would be more inclined to stick around. At least, Chris hopes so. But as it is, Jacob has every reason not to, except for Chris himself. And that shouldn’t be a good enough reason, should it?
Please Note: This book contains Adult Language & Steamy Adult Activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novella, approx. 65,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger".

My Review: "I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review." I haven't read a lot by this author but, if this is the sort of story I can expect, then I will certainly read more, as it was a pleasant (slightly predictable) story about a straight guy falling in love with a gay one. It also has an ex girlfriend who I'd gladly bitch slap, but it does have hot, sexy scenes and a happy ending so I finished it with a smile on my face. I won't say anything else as the blurb tells you everything else you need to know about the book.