Review: Happily Surprised
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 7, 2013
I will admit that when I first read the blurb for this book, I wasn't sure if it was going to be something I would enjoy reading. I was under the assumption that the book was going to be about a porn movie house and would be full of explicit sexual content. I was wrong. Remember don't judge a book by its cover.In first meeting "Stefan" his camera name, in this story, he appears to be both arrogant and straight. Neither of which is the case. Stephan works for Blue House Film Studios both in front of the camera and behind it. One of the House's most popular porn stars, he has quite a following of fans. And he loves sex, doesn't matter whether it's a man or woman, it's all just sex to him;  until a budding writer of M/M romances comes into his life.Nate "something or other" comes to Blue House because he's written a story that the owner of  the film studio wants to incorporate into the studio's web site. It just happens to describe some of the models from Blue House and scenes from some of their video's and starring Stefan. He's been a teacher in England for most of his life but wants to be a writer. Stefan becomes his tour guide while he's in California.They feel an instant connection to each other but it takes time to reach a mutual decision that it is something they both want. Nate has recently broken up with a long time lover and Stefan is just now realizing that he is gay and always has been. Two big hurtles in themselves to make a relationship work.Stefan goes back to England with Nate so that they can get to know each other better and while there they finally become intimate. Stefan seems to be racked with pain over making sure that Nate knows they are making love not just having sex. Sex is what he does in front of the camera and what he did with his "friends with benefits". Nate doesn't seem to be bothered by Stefan's job and repeatedly tells Stefan he knows its his job. Still Stefan is very insecure and when Karl, Nate's ex shows up things intensify.There's a misunderstanding between Nate and Stefan leading Stefan to return home, hurt and devastated by Nate's apparent infidelity. I enjoyed this story and the writing style of Ms. Blunt. I would have given it a 4.5 if I could but only because I thought the HEA was rushed at the end and could have been more complicated for the two characters. All in all a very good read and I truly enjoyed it.