Review: Bastards and Pretty Boys
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 12, 2014
"Everyone has baggage. The key is to find someone who loves you enough to help you unpack." ~ UnknownMost people have better intuition that they give themselves credit for. Charlie, in 'Bastards and Pretty Boys' by KZ Snow, has what should be a near perfect life, but even so, there's this niggling in the back of his mind that the pieces that seem so well put together, don't quite fit together as well as they could. A lot of this discontent comes from his boyfriend, Kenneth, whose sincerity is questionable. When Kenneth whacks apart their relationship with a proverbial hatchet, Charlie begins to see just how wrong he's been about him and almost everything else in his life. He has a decision to make; does he continue along on this uncomfortable, but predictable path, or does he put it behind him and venture out on his own in search of a more fulfilling future?For the first time in his life, Charlie is being true to himself. He's living openly and honestly as an out and proud gay man. He's a good-natured, kind, trusting man, who even though divorced, is good friends with his ex-wife. That in itself speaks for his integrity. Since he's new to the gay scene, he's in a vulnerable position making him easy to take advantage of. Charlie thinks that everyone treats him like he treats them, but in the case of his latest boyfriend, this is far from true. Kenneth is a bastard, pure and simple. He's conniving, insecure, possessive, manipulative, and shallow. He has more baggage than an airport claim check area and poor Charlie ends up bearing more weight of it than anyone should. When the truth about their relationship is revealed, Charlie is broken-hearted, but, instead of mourning over a lost relationship that never was, he tries to move forward. Although wary of being burned again, his attractive neighbor, Booker, seems a viable option to help him heal his wounded pride.Booker is kind of a paradox. He's a bit mysterious, but surprisingly open and honest. He's in a vulnerable position in his life as well which no good way to unload his problems. When he comes on to Charlie, he does so in such a sweet way that Charlie is intrigued. It's almost idyllic the way they blend together, not just in bed, but in all things. They are both very nurturing men, but because of their past problems, the road is not smooth; yet, they are too drawn to each other to let it go. When the past catches up with Booker, he and Charlie work together to solve the problem which is more inter-related than they realized. Booker and Charlie are there for each other and are amazed at the intensity of their brief relationship.This is a good love story about how things can go very wrong in the flash of an eye. Booker and Charlie are amazing, love-worthy characters who made me feel very protective right away. When I saw how seamlessly they blended together, how perfect they were for each other, I really wanted it to work for them. The bad guys were especially bad, devious, and disgusting and I wanted them punished in the worst way. The story has some unexpected twists which made the supercharged roller coaster of a story even more emotive leading to a very satisfying ending. I recommend this story to everyone who enjoys a romantic love story with mystery, intrigue, love, passion, and good triumphing over evil. Thanks, KZ, for giving Charlie and Booker their happy ending. Originally reviewed on Rainbow Book Reviews.