This is in-your-face! but it works.

This is so sassy it's fantastic. I was totally in the grip of this writing - which is almost all dialogue - and Eric London and Alexander Cendese bring it to life. It's rarely the case but I wasn't entirely sure that they were well cast, as London was quieter than I expected as Bravo, and Cendese louder for Simeon. But their voices were so enjoyable it didn't matter.

Haven't heard of Santino Hassell and looked in my libraries for more, but that seems to be the only audiobook from him. Only thing I know about him was that he once wrote under the name of Sonny Hassell, and he has quite a lot of ebooks under his belt. ( )

When I start reading a romance now (any romance type) after mainlining them over the last two years, I'm wary of the Big Conflict Before The Resolution. Often, it can feel pre-programmed: 'at X% there must be a total breakup while characters get their separate shit together and earn each other. ' But sometimes, as in Down by Contact, the entire book is the conflict, building and building until the resolution is right there in the peak. And it is beautiful.

Excellent story. Loved it all. ( )

3,8 ★

This was sweet, funny, hot, and a bit silly.

The characters are adorable and sweet and this had me smiling most of the time while I read. Perfect pick-me-up amidst a busy week. ( )

HOT! HOT! HOT! I loved the angry sex! LoL
Santino's writing never seems to amaze me. It's so real.
Loved the dinamic between Adrián and Simeon. :) ( )

Santino Hassell writes excellent, character-driven romance. I've mentioned this before. I've also mentioned a certain addictive quality to his books, and this wasn't an exception...but I did have to put it down several times.

I feel like I'm recycling an old review here, but his characters are messy. As in not-at-all-perfect. Simeon is this sweet, open, affectionate charismatic lover boy having trust issues from a former encounter and its subsequent fallout. But he's not careful. I loved him as much as I did in book #1, as much as the fictional fans do. Lots of good love and support surrounding his character, including my faves-Marcus and Gavin. He had me laughing from early on. And bless any man who loves his mama and aunties like this one.

“I’ve never seen you this bummed out,” Gavin said. “I’m starting to think you’re legit in love with this guy despite him being an actual worse asshole than me.” (God I love Gavin)
Why did I have to put it down several times? Because Adrian's journey was painful. I HATED him for a good portion of the book, but I could keep reading it because he was also intensely self-aware. Well...mostly. You think, how on earth? oh, but Hassell pulls it off, naturally. His redemption isn't really swift, it's peeled back bit by bit, thankfully, and that's what made this story so intensely satisfying. Seeing Adrian's tender side is rewarding. And it's so effective because we feel incredibly protective of the open and lovable Simeon. Loved the full circle. Loved the grand gesture.

I loved it. And whoever doesn't like it can go straight to hell.
MORE PLEASE 4.5 ( )