Review: Not on par with Pretty Woman but definitely a unique love story and reading their emails was intriguing storytelling
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 23, 2013
This book was certainly unique in the fact that it was written entirely as letters between two male lovers. Charles and Edward strike up a relationship that is spun out via emails and the writing is tuned into the feelings and behavior true to each character as they see that paying for love doesn't turn out to be quite as romantic as Hollywood films portray it to be.Edward is a man of modest means living with his family and barely paying the bills most months when he hooks up with an older man as he posted on online escort ad. Charles, as a member of the British aristocracy keeps his life low key and tries not to flaunt his lovers but he becomes quickly enamored of Edward and trips and gifts are freely given once a rate is set for services. Charles fancies himself in love with Edward but the drama of the emails shows Edward is quite adept at using the "love" Charles professes early on to squeeze him for cash and Cartier rings with sexual favors being bargained between them.I loved the glimpse into their relationship and the fancy hotels, meals, and experiences during their trips together. But then the same pattern of "more money to pay my bills or buy a cell phone" would creep into the emails and Charles would say NO but he meant yes and gave in until the abrupt ending of the book where it promises more to come in the next novel.The emails grew a bit tedious and tiresome as the men even mention marriage but the strain of their relationship shows through and this book is not on par with Pretty Woman except for the money for sexual favors portion. Edward had very few morals and knew exactly what he was doing with Charles and in my opinion Charles was the more naive of the two.  I don't see what another book will bring to their story but would be willing to see if the author has a twist I am not expecting.