Riptide Presents: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/lone-wolf
Blurb
Hunter Easton is screwed. Fans, producers, and his agent are all chomping at the bit for the next book in his wildly popular Wolf’s Landing series, but he’s got epic writer’s block and is way behind deadline. Then he reads The World Tree, a fanfic novel by his online friend “Lone Wolf.” It isn’t just a great story—it’s exactly what the series needs.
Kevin Hussain is thrilled when “Wolf Hunter” wants to meet up after reading The World Tree. When Wolf Hunter turns out to be Hunter Easton himself, Kevin is starstruck. When Hunter tells him he wants to add The World Tree to Wolf’s Landing, Kevin is sure he’s being pranked. And when their online chemistry carries over—big time—into real life, Kevin is convinced it’s all too good to be true.
The problem is . . . it might be. The book deal, the sex, the money—everything is amazing. But fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and Kevin is left wondering if Hunter really loves him, or just loves his book.
Review
Hunter, the sexy silver fox, is having writer’s block of epic proportions until he sneeks a peak at a some fanfic that has him drooling over the story and it’s author, Kevin, a twenty-something fanboy.
Hunter agrees to meet Kevin and then offers that Kevin’s book act as the next in the series for the Wolf’s Landing series. The chemistry between them is hot as well (they’ve shared some slash fiction as well and it sets their imaginations on fire).
Things move rapidly from here. The publisher loves Kevin’s book. Hunter and Kevin start an affair despite nearly 20 year age gap. Kevin’s life changes practically over night. Needless to say he begins to wonder if it is all for real or going to last – especially his relationship with Hunter.
The couple separates when Hunter gets sick and then reconnects when both realize how much the other means to them and we get our HEA.
**
I really enjoy these authors in collaboration, and I think that many of the elements I enjoy from them were here. Super hot sex. Intriguing characters. Diversity issues. For me what was missing was some of the sexual tension in build-up. When Hunter and Kevin meet they’ve already done their slow burn via the online communication – off page. As soon as they meet (practically) they hop in bed. I think there would have been a lot more hand wringing, especially on the part of Hunter. Sleeping with a fan. A super young fan. Especially since you value privacy so much. And you weren’t supposed to read any fan fic… he had a LOT to lose and he seemed pretty unconcerned.
I also didn’t feel Kevin acted at all like he would have – star struck, in awe, young… Instead he was surprisingly the aggressor and this was hard to believe from a guy who spends all his hours behind a computer screen.
Of course I loved the hot sex, but I felt the emotional connection happened either off page or in summary sentences. It didn’t feel as authentic as I have seen in the past with these authors.
As far as the story goes – it’s really an interesting fantasy – fanboy turns famous – ends up shagging his idol forever and ever – but I wasn’t convinced of the sincereity all that much. I especially thought the end felt rushed and too tame and though it suggests a HEA, I’m not sure I believe it.
Overall, it was very entertaining, moved the series along well, gave another side of the production story and had the added benefits of great characters with a lot of potential.
I enjoyed it even though I didn’t love it.
3 of 5 hearts
