Review: Romance Under False Pretenses- nice installment to the series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 8, 2012
I thoroughly enjoy this series of books and was just tickled pink (hmmm, not as pink as JJ gets into mind you) when I discovered that a Christmas themed story was coming out in the series.  It was a light read, but as with all the books in the series there is a deft touch that also reveals there is substance underlying some of the fun and antics.In this story, JJ LaRousse, who thought he was past his identity crisis and was comfortable in his own skin, spies Ryan Star and decides that Ryan is worth the effort of pretending to be someone he's not.JJ works for David's art gallery while he is going to college for interior design.  He is an openly gay man who could be described by some less kindly souls as 'flaming' gay.  The problem that JJ runs into?  He's 6'4" and over two hundred pounds of hunkiness.  Nobody of his acquaintance other than a trusted few even guess that brawny looking JJ might be looking for someone else to be the alpha male so he is stuck playing a part when he gets with other men because of his appearance.That is until into his life walks detective Ryan Star.  Ryan has come to the winter festival to investigate a jewelry robbery at one of the artisan booths.  JJ is the eye witness.  JJ takes one look at Ryan and determines that he wants Ryan to think well of him and do what it takes to be with him.  JJ decides to hide his true self to make Ryan like him.  (His antics and internal dialogue got to be quite comical as he tried to play the role of manly man.)Ryan had a horrendous experience back in NYC as a gay cop so he is determined to play it safe in Laguna Beach.  He is in the closet and very reserved around his fellow cops.  He made rules for himself including not seeing anyone close to the job or to his home.  All the rules start flying out the window when he meets big JJ La Rousse.  JJ is everything he has always wanted or so it would seem.  But startling things happen and make him realize that he has a big shot at personal happiness if he is willing to take a gamble in his life.I really enjoyed this plot.  I loved how Ms. Lain set up things by allowing me to get to know both men and watch them slowly work their way toward a relationship of sorts all the while I was wondering when the ax would fall.  There was that tension of knowing that JJ was living a lie and wondering how Ryan would take it.  Then there was also their other trouble that they were at two different places in life.  JJ is out; Ryan is not.  While this is a light read in many ways, it touches on several things that are important for a lasting relationship to happen.The characters were such opposites in ways, but they filled a need in each other on a very personal level.  My heart almost broke when I learned what made Ryan as suspicious and determined to keep everyone from knowing that he is gay and to discover what had happened in JJ's past to make him so vulnerable to pain about who and what he was.  They really needed each other.  I still laugh over JJ and his spider phobia.Oh and in case you are thinking that there are no JJ's out there and its a pretty far fetched character?  I know two JJs and they really have a hard time of it because we are all so prone to judging by appearances.I suppose the book could be read as a stand a lone or out of order in the series if necessary, but there are scenes with the characters from the other books that might giveaway some of their stories so its probably best just to read them in order.  Loved seeing all the others return even for small bit roles.  Now if only poor Jerry will find his special someone- pretty please?Nice strong installment to the series that I can easily recommend to those who love m/m contemporary romance.