Velvet by Louisa Mae
- Debbie
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
@louisamaeauthor @debbiereadsbooks
@louisamaeauthor @debbiereadsbook
AJ is the flamboyant face of Velvet, an upmarket cocktail lounge in Leeds. He’s quick witted and normally unflappable in every possible situation, although he’s given up on the chance of finding Mr.Right, let alone Mr. Right Now. Then, one night, fate intervenes when he spills drinks over a group of customers, one being his own Achilles heel, a hot man in a well-fitting suit. The chance encounter means AJ got more than he bargained for, in more ways than one.
Blake had always wondered if he really did have it all. He has a nice house, successful career, but there was always something, or should that be someone, missing from his life, leaving him wondering if he would ever find “the one.” The last thing he considered was the space might eventually be occupied by a man, until he meets AJ.
When attraction transcends gender, will AJ be able to open Blake’s eyes to a world he’d never truly considered? Will Blake let down his barriers and succumb to the endearing charm of AJ, which will finally allow him to cast aside all his inhibitions, doubts and uncertainties, allowing him to embrace what’s meant to be, and allowing them both the chance to find their happily ever after?
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5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Forgive me, if this review runs away with itself! I loved this book, and it might get said a time or three!!
AJ runs Velvet, a cocktail lounge. He meets Blake when he spills drinks all down him! A very amusing meet cute, I tell ya. And then?? They get together, and fall in love and THAT, peeps, is the most simplest blurb you ever did get!
But this book? It is not simple, no ma'am.
It's deep: both men carry some baggage, but AJ's is a little more emotional. Blake seems to have it all, but all he wants is someone to love him. The fact that he'd been dating women for so long meant he never put a man in that position, though. AJ's heart was broken, and he trusted slowly.
It's smexy: While AJ is openly gay, Blake is not. So Blake sets the pace of their relationship and once he gets a taste of AJ, he is smitten!
It's a lot of fun: I found this, while emotional in places, a lot of fun in others and it meant I was able to catch my breath from the deeper bits, and laugh and these two, and their group of friends.
I loved that there was no make-up/breakup/ These two really are perfect for each other and they fit into each other's lives and hearts perfectly!
The friends made me chuckle. They all knew something was going on, but since AJ and Blake were both quiet about it at first, neither knew exactly what. I also enjoyed catching up with the owners of The V Lounge, too!
Did I say?? I bloody loved this book!
No?? Maybe I should say it again for those at the back!
It really was a delightful read and I cannot stress the point highly enough: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
5 full and shiny stars! (if I didn't make myself clear enough!)
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Born and bred in the city of Leeds in the UK, Louisa is fiercely proud of her northern roots and heritage.
She has been an avid reader since a very early age, and has fond memories of weekly visits to her local library with her dad, but credits both her parents for instilling a love of reading and books which has never left.
Louisa hadn’t really thought about writing in her adult life until one day she fell down a rabbit hole and landed in the world of fanfiction. After reading so many, and making online friends through the medium, she found herself taking the leap and publishing stories online.
The switch to original fiction came through the support and encouragement of her friend, Nicole Colville, who put together a charity anthology called Confidential Encounters, which was published in June 2016 and contained Louisa’s first published novella, Below The Line, which went on to be picked up for German translation, making Louisa a bestseller on Amazon Germany.
Thankfully the voices have continued to whisper into her ears ever since and while ever the men talk, Louisa will listen.
Writing their stories and bringing them to life for people to enjoy. The journey might not always be easy as she’s a self confessed lover of angst, but where’s the fun in things being easy? Whatever the story, rest assured, Louisa will bring you a story she would want to read herself.
Keep in touch via all the usual social media channels, or sign up to Louisa’s newsletter to find out the very latest.
Unofficial Bio
Born in Hull shortly before her third birthday to a pair of Nicaraguan cuttlefish. Louisa was 80% cream cheese by the time she was 9.
A stint as a Astronaut in her early teens convinced her she wanted to be a writer and by the age of 18 she had learned to write her own name.
Capable of consuming up to 13 litres of wine during breakfast, Louisa holds the current world record for largest eyelash collection.
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