Wound Tight

For an author's first venture into the M/M world, this book was a huge success. I couldn't put it down but I never wanted it to end. I'm sad to see the end of the Made in Jersey series. Reiner Bastion is the CEO of the factory in Hook. He mostly keeps to himself in his office and none of the employees would consider him friend material. Milo Battista works security at the factory and has appointed himself personal bodyguard to the boss man. Renner might watch his bodyguard from afar but he had rules around lusting after straight men. All the rules go out the window when Milo comes out to Renner and asks for tips to land the man he's been interested in. Renner knows this is probably a bad idea but what better way to satisfy his lust so he can get back to business as usual? I loved Renner in Book 3. His obvious affection for his sister and dedication to the factory were just a couple things that made me love him so I couldn't wait until his own story was told. In Book 4, you get to see the depth of the man who rules the world one business at a time. Milo was just as amazing. He stands his ground and clear that even though the lessons started to benefit another man, he wants no one but Renner. This story was a perfect ending to an awesome series! *This is my voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy*

Renner Bastion has had his eye on Milo Bautista, but Milo is his employee, he’s too young, and besides Renner is convinced that Milo is not gay. Milo works in security for Bastion Enterprises, but watches Renner a bit more closely than warranted. First, Renner is rather careless, and second, Milo is dying for Renner to notice him. When Renner is nearly mugged, Milo is glad he was alert, as no damage was done. Milo has a purpose in watching Renner: Renner is gay, and it is public knowledge, and Milo envies his confidence. Milo is not even out of the closet: he has only had girlfriends so far, but Renner more than intrigues him, and Milo wants to ask his boss how to assume his newfound sexual identity. Milo would like to hope for more, but Renner doesn’t do relationships. WOUND TIGHT is a fabulous male/male short romance novel in Tessa Bailey’s no less fabulous Made in Jersey series. Milo is absolutely fantastic: he is so chill, so sweet and cool, in spite of his lack of sexual assurance; he is a lovely man. Renner is more of an enigma, in a way; he keeps to himself in spite of appearances, and he guards his heart fiercely. No one could resist Milo, Milo of the Boston accent, of the generous heart, not even Renner, who reminded me of an expression I had forgotten: a stuffed shirt. There was one tiny little thing that bothered me: their ages. Milo is supposedly 26, Renner 33. Yet throughout the book Milo keeps talking of their age difference as if it’s a big deal, and this is a gap that is very ordinary in male/female romances. I kept wondering if the author had, for some reason, changed their ages in the course of writing the book, if someone objected in a wider age gap. From their behaviour, and the frequent mentions of the age difference, I imagined Milo around 22-23 years old, and Renner around 37-39. That age gap would not have bothered me personally: Renner was definitely not a father figure, although somewhat of a mentor, which had nothing to do with age, especially in this case; it was merely a question of being sure of one’s sexual identity. And of course, WOUND TIGHT features everything we love from Tessa Bailey: steamy sex scenes, fabulous dialogues, and unforgettable characters. WOUND TIGHT is a terrific ending to an amazing series! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

When I saw that Tessa Bailey was dipping her toe into the M/M romance pool I was doing a happy dance. After reading this all I can say is ....MORE!! Two strong alphas each wanting the other but unsure of what the other wanted or needed. Renner Bastion is use to being the boss. In charge in all areas of his life. Openly gay but never in a long term relationship. Keeping people at a distance is what he does. Until Milo Bautista. Milo is brass, tatted, and determined. He's also the one person that Renner can't get out of his head. When Milo confesses that he believes he is gay and asks for Renner's help in learning how to seduce a man all bets are off and Renner will do whatever it takes to get everything he wants. Loved the romance in this book. It's definitely one I recommend to everyone.