Rough Terrain: A Fake Boyfriend Gay Romance

I truly enjoyed this contemporary M/M story. I found both Renzo and Canaan extremely interesting and watching their story unfold was a real treat. Everyone knows that Canaan has a thing for a man in uniform and Renzo Bianchi fills his out better than most. Too bad relationships aren't for Renzo so friends it is. That is until Renzo needs a fake boyfriend to meet the parents and put their worries to rest. On a crazy trip home there is lots of fun, flirting and even a near death experience. Will Renzo finally let his heart go? Great read and one I highly recommend.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-1/2 - STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ > > Judging a Book by its Cover < < Two shirtless men sitting back to front, looking almost contemplative. Strong font choices. Good overall composition. Interesting synopsis. > > Looking Deeper < < POV ~> Third-person Canaan works at a smoothie shop on or near base, which feeds his SEAL “eye candy” fascination. One SEAL in particular, a guy his buddies call Rooster, mesmerizes him to a truly elevated field. Overhearing a casual comment between the team one day allows Canaan to learn that Rooster is bisexual and single & decides to make a move. Renzo is intrigued by Canaan but when Canaan suggests a little “trouble” after work, he clams up. Not as experienced as many would think and having mostly bad experiences in the past, he’s not sure what Canaan is really suggesting or what to do about it. But he can’t stop thinking about the guy and the offer. Together the men formed a friendship that slowly became more. The bond deepened through a hiking trip from hell and a crazy trip at Disney. A lot of focus seemed to be Renzo’s exceptionally large cock (perpetuating the stereotype of “The Italian Stallion”?), the worry Renzo had about making it good for Canaan and Canaan teaching him that there are more ways to get off other than penetration. Family played a big part in the plot as well. Canaan quit playing for a band on the rise, having left in the middle of their European tour when he learned his grandmother was dying. He and his grandfather lived on shared property and were a “package deal”, something Renzo could relate to. Prior to getting involved with Canaan, Renzo had been fighting for an East Coast transfer to move closer to family. When a promotion in position and subsequent East Coast transfer come available, this became the big climax. Sweet and entertaining lead couple. Chemistry was very nice, they complimented one another very well. Secondary cast varied from lovable to deplorable, which gave it a well-rounded feel. Dialogue was smart, interactions felt natural. The plot was rich and full, the writing flowed smoothly. I enjoyed all of the elements this book contained. Conflicts came up here and there but were resolved maturely or in a way that fit the character(s) best. Predictability was low. The conclusion was satisfying and solid. Overall, I was entertained and emotionally invested in this pair which made for a wonderful read. . Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.45 ~ Stars: 4 (4.5, if I could) ========================== ⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

Rough Terrain was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There's some danger, and both Canaan and Renzo have their share of issues to work through, so the book does have the required angst. Nevertheless, it all felt a little too easy. Most issues are worked through quickly with the exception of Renzo's... umm, intimacy problems. There was quite a lot of time devoted to Canaan reassuring him, including during sexy times. Those times were certainly hot, but the continued mention of that one thing grew repetitive and tedious. For me, there were other things that should've been more of an obstacle in the relationship than that one, but they're almost glossed over. I did enjoy the wit and banter throughout the story, and Canaan's grandfather was one of my favorite characters, but for a lot of the book, it felt like this story couldn't decide what it wanted to be - fun and lighthearted or emotional and angsty. There's nothing wrong with a combination of both, but this one seems to go from one extreme to other and the result is somewhat choppy. In the end, there were things I liked and things I didn't, landing me somewhere in the middle.