4.5 Stars

I shouldn't have liked this book. One of the MCs, we discover, has been quite despicable. And yet, I loved it! Right from the get-go, I was drawn in and thoroughly enjoyed watching the MCs' growth. And in my heart I was rooting for them to get their HEA! ( )

4.25 stars ( )

I enjoy the writing of Jamie Craig (Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza) because it tends to have an edgier tone than other M/M romance. Though this wasn’t quite as sharp as usual, it still gave readers something to sink their teeth into. Instead of the usual miscommunication to build drama, here the two protagonists are on the rebound FROM THE SAME GUY! Chris was dumped by Andrew to go back to his ex-wife, again. While drowning his sorrows at a bar, he runs into Andrew’s best friend Trip. Trip is also feeling betrayed and they decide to go together on a trip to Italy. The two are obviously attracted to one another, and begin an affair. It turns into something more, but after only three weeks together, Chris begins to doubt if this is real, or just something they began to get over Andrew.

Chris and Trip are both likeable characters, with enough back story to give them some depth, and the descriptions of Italy are just detailed enough to put a reader in the setting without being too much. As expected, there is hot sex throughout and a satisfying confrontation with the “villain” at the end. The best part for me – an epilogue giving readers even more closure on the relationship. Overall, this is an excellent story and highly recommended. ( )

Another surprise. I have read Master of Obsidianan by Jamie Craig (who is really two person, Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean) and when I have bought Brindisi Bedfellows I was thinking to buy something similar: sex, drama and more sex. Good for me, but instead I have found something different.

Brindisi Bedfellows is a contemporary tale about two men and they quest for love. Christian has a some years relationship with Andrew and the eve of their departure for a long time desired holiday in Italy, Andrew announces to Christian that he has decided to return with his ex, and never forgotten, wife. As excuse, Andrew said, he has never hidden to Christian that he is still in love with her.

So Christian ends in a pub, trying to forget himself in alcohol and Trip, Andrew's best friend, and fuck buddy, behind Christian's back, comes along. Alcohol or loneliness make Christian asks Trip to go in Italy with him. And not only as friend. Three weeks of sun and sex and then again in London and everything is out. Cause Christian doesn't really like Trip and Trip, fashion photographer, can be interested in a white collar as Christian. But maybe Trip is not so vain as appears and Christian not so prim and proper...

The discovery of this novel is the sex. There is a lot of sex, but I find it not for free. It's warm and cosy. It's like a blanket in winter. Christian and Trip make love and then slip on dream kissing each other like two teens. They awake together and prefer to cuddle in the sheet instead of giving a mindless blowjob. Sex is hot but it's also comforting and caring.

Christian and Trip are at the opposite in life but on the same level during love. There is not a top or bottom (and not only as sex position). Maybe I have a soft spot for Trip, I think he can be easily wonded than Christian, but he also the first person to admit his feelings.

Brindisi Bedfellows is a novel that will leave you with peaceful feelings and a better perspective on life: you haven't to go far to find true love.