Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Comedy
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
A gambit for love. A half-baked revenge plot. One hot Seattle summer…
Arnie
One minute I’m minding my own business enjoying the sunshine, next I’m wearing my iced coffee.
I’m going to teach Tobias Barrington a thing or two; first: you don’t always get what you want. I have no idea what the second is, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Falling in love with Tobias is not on the list.
Tobias
I’ve never forgotten Arnie Ferguson, or the night we had together. When I find him again, I want to get to know him—as more than a friend.
I may come from a wealthy family; but I know better than most that money can’t buy happiness. But brash, socially awkward Arnie Ferguson makes me think happiness is possible when you let your heart choose.
Feinted Loveis a first person, dual POV, following Arnie Ferguson and Tobias Barrington as they do their best to awkwardly fall in love. Standalone, No cliff hanger, HEA guaranteed. Heat level, 3+.
The Review
Arnie Ferguson is holding a grudge against Tobias Barrington. They met at Tobias’ house party and were rudely interrupted by the police. Unfortunately for Arnie, he was hurried out of the house by Tobias and wound up on the front lawn.
Now, a few years later, Tobias acts like he doesn’t know Arnie. But Arnie has a plan to get his revenge. Arnie has a good friend and roommate in Duff, and tries to talk him into helping with his scheme.
Tobias really want’s to relive that one night with Arnie but his shyness doesn’t help. When he does take a step in the right direction, he literally runs into Arnie and then runs away. Tobias talks his friend Charley into helping him with the Arnie situation, and Charley just loves the idea.
Both Arnie and Tobias’ lives are very different. Arnie needs a much better job in his field instead of being a barista. Arnie has a very loving and supportive mother, who has now started a new relationship.
Tobias has a good job, but one he was forced into by his father. Tobias’ dream is to be a screenwriter, but before he can make his move, he has promised to wait until his sister is away at college and out of the house.
When Arnie and Tobias start to become more acquainted, it throws Artie’s plan into total chaos. He starts to see Tobias in a different light, and now his biggest worry is what will happen when Tobias finds out about his scheme.
Elle Keaton has started a brand new series with “Crimes of the Heart,” and it’s very different from the “Conspiracy Theory” and the “Accidental Roots” series. “Feinted Love” is light romance, with moments of chaos and humor.
Arnie and Tobias are two extremely different personalities. Tobias is more mature of the two, and he has hopes for a different life and future. Arnie is still a bit immature and a “worry-wart”. He’s always imagining different scenarios of how things will turn out, and of course it’s usually negative. One thing Arnie does that’s positive is make Tobias happy.
Besides Duff and Charley, there are some really good secondary characters: Rita, Arnie’s mother; Sarah-MIchelle, Tobias’ sister; and Gale, Arnie’s boss at the Buzz.
Keaton has a good start with this low-angst, romantic comedy. She already has a second installment in the works, this one featuring Duff Cleveland. “The Heart Heist” comes out in March 2021.
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.
