Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Hudson West is the enemy. Nico Shah is trouble. However, when they’re forced to collaborate on a town project, they can’t stop the passion from burning.
Hudson West is the enemy.
The calm, arrogant, stupidly hot owner of the rival restaurant in town never fails to push Nico Shah’s buttons. So when he and Hudson are invited to collaborate to cater the Chesapeake Days festival, he wants to say hell no. But with his mother’s upcoming transplant, he needs that money.
Nico Shah is trouble.
Hudson’s noticed the gorgeous, witty flirt and has veered far away. He’s looking for commitment while Nico’s looking for his next flavor of the night. Except now that they’re working together, neither can ignore the chemistry that’s one spark away from burning down a forest. And when they finally collide, the connection is beyond anything either has experienced.
But with Nico still terrified of the word “boyfriend” and Hudson needing someone who belongs to him, this can only end in heartbreak.
The Review
Chesapeake City is a thriving peaceful place that brings joy to the community and the tourists that visit it.
Nico Shah has made Port of Call a successful business in the city. He’s getting ready for a big five-year celebration, and has the prefect idea to bring in more revenue. Nico, and his younger brother Taran, know the importance of that income, and how much it would really help their mother. But Nico discovers that the popular band he wanted to hire is no longer available.
Hudson West opened Harbor Pointe about a year ago. It quickly became very popular, and is the number one competition for Nico’s Port of Call. With Harbor Pointe’s Summer Series, Hudson has already hired the band that would have brought Nico the much needed revenue.
When Nico finds out, he can’t hold back. He confronts Hudson, but Hudson doesn’t bend. Nico can’t believe he took the time to try and befriend Hudson when he first arrived, especially since Hudson just blew him off.
Nico has a loving family in Taran and Amrita, their mother. He has no problem expressing himself. He likes being free – hook-ups are his thing with no commitments. But he has a hidden fear.
Hudson chose not to follow in his father’s and siblings’ footsteps. He’s more comfortable in the restaurant business, and wishes that he could get his Fathers approval. Although he’s in his mid-thirties, he still takes the verbal and mental abuse from his family. He won’t stand-up to them, and the only one that is somewhat supportive is his sister, Jessie.
With all the continuing head butting between Nico and Hudson, they find themselves in a predicament. Gale, the head of the Chesapeake Days Festival, has an opportunity they can’t refuse. She wants the two top restaurants, Harbor Pointe and Port of Call, to share a booth – “Chesapeake Eats.” Can Nico and Hudson put down the silver ware and their snark and make this work?
Stronger Than Passion is the second installment to the “Chesapeake Days” series by Katherine McIntyre, and it doesn’t disappoint. Nico Shah and his small family take center stage with this one. Nico and his brother Taran made their appearance in the first book, Stronger Than Hope, and here we get to learn more about them. Amrita, Nico and Taran’s Mother is a nice addition to the series – she brings warm feelings and heartfelt moments to the relationship with her two sons.
Hudson West’s family is the polar opposite of Nico’s. There’s so much heartbreak, anger and confusion for Hudson as he tries so hard to prove himself to a family that doesn’t seem to care or understand. No matter what he does, there’s always an ultimatum to face with his Father. Hudson’s feelings of low self esteem and inadequacy carry over into his personal life too.
There are several other returning characters here too: Nate, Linc and Beck, and Sarah. The story also introduces the crew at Harbor Pointe: Der, Kerry, Leigh, Danny, Liam and Debby.
Stronger Than Passion is very entertaining, with a great cast of characters. I’m excited to see what McIntyre has in store for book three – Stronger Than Longing.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
