Architect Of Love: MM Love at first sight Gay Romance (Fated Soulmates Book 2) Kindle Edition

If you are looking for a quick read that is M/M, then Architect of Love by John Charles might be the book you are looking for. It was quick with a HEA, and overall it was a sweet story, but it did have some issues.

Forrest and Lance met at a gay nightclub and hit it off. They immediately went back to Lance's place and proceeded to get to know each other better. It was only supposed to be a one night stand, but sometimes, you find something unexpected in the oddest of places. Now if only Lance can get over what he feels is the space between them.

I liked the overall story. It tackled issues of having to deal with a career and a relationship, as well as what happens when on person feels unequal to their partner, and I liked the chemistry between Lance and Forrest. That said, there were some issues as well. It was rushed, at one point it went from 3rd person to first person and then back again, and there were a few phrases that didn't make much sense to me...things I couldn't quite picture in my head.

The relationship between the two main characters was good, as was their relationship between them and their best friends and family. And while there isn't cheating per se in this book, there is something that some people may not like. I didn't have a problem with it though. My issue that Forrest's best friend calls Lance's mother, and then nothing is ever done or said further about it. It seemed unnecessary. In addition, some of the details about Forrest's business seem off from what I know about city planning.

Overall the story was good and enjoyable, but there are issues with the book. Even with that, I still recommend it for a quick read and a sweet type of relationship. 3.5 stars.

Architect Of Love,  John Charles

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  m/m Gay Fiction / Contemporary Romance

Well, I don’t often read novellas, as I find they just don’t go into enough depth to let me really get a feel for the characters and story.
A few authors can do it and I’ve mostly found them in the M/M romance genre ? Dunno why..there’s no reason why these should be any different than general romance .

Anyway I’d read John’s free book, ( links on his website) so I knew I liked his style of writing and agreed to review this one.
I really enjoyed it even though its short – 1420 kindle locations, that usually works out at about 120-130 ish pages.  Its got characters I felt I could know, that felt real, from Lance and Forrest to Lance’s mum and his friend Dale, Forrest’s friend Rachelle and his employees, who treated him as a friend as much as a boss. I need to feel characters and situations could be real to enjoy a story.

The plot too was realistic, with Lance being a furniture restorer and helping his mum in her estate sale business, and Forrest having worked his way up from nothing, to a very respected and well known architect with his own firm.

I understood in a way how Lance felt, its hard when you see such material differences between you and the person you love, and yet as Forrest tried to convince him that didn’t matter, it was only a part of him, he’s come from the same background as Lance and they had so many other things in common.
I really felt the emotion in them both and poor Forrest – what could he do? He shouldn’t change because Lance couldn't deal, that would have made him resentful and yet how else could he repair things?
Alongside that there’s issues with Forrest's work, with the firm growing rapidly, winning new contracts outside their current experience, and feeling a backlash as a result of one close to home. A real tough time for Forrest.
I did feel angry at Lance for his pig-headedness, but we feel as we do inside, logic doesn’t always come into it. I wasn’t so happy about the Dale issue....but that's me :-) and it did provide that extra barrier to get past.

Its a fun read, a good story, realistic with characters I could get behind, and a sensible mix of story v sex.
Too often novellas focus on sex and the story is just backup, and that's what many readers want – but for me it needs to be as this one is, story first and sex second.

Stars: Four, a great read with realistic storyline.

ARC supplied by author

Buy it. Read it. You'll enjoy it. Why? Because it's an awesome story extremely well written.

As a person who enjoys working with my hands, I can really get behind the character of Lance. I, too have felt insecure around people who I thought were way out of my league, so I know all to well what Lance was going through. It made me identify with and appreciate his character. Unfortunately for me, there was no second chances which made me want to be more like Lance.

Enter Mr. Rich and Famous. The unusual thing about Forrest is that he doesn't come across as the stereotypical self-entitled snob. He treats his employees with respect. He makes decisions using his heart and integrity. I can really admire him for that as we hear or read about instances everyday where the exact opposite is the case.

There aren't a lot of sex scenes, which I feel enhance the story. The story is about the everyday lives of two men on opposite ends of the spectrum, and about what happens outside the bedroom. It shows that there is more to being a gay couple than the stereotypical bedroom olympics.

I am very happy have read this book and am looking forward to reading more of this author's works.

I was provided with a free advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What an adorable second chance at love story! Both aren't the other's "type" but they click and their fate is met! Architect of Love is book two in the Fated Soulmates series by John Charles and can be read as a standalone!

Lance is a furniture restorer and is excellent at his craft. Forrest is an architect and is carving a name for himself as well. After one night meeting in a bar, they have a one night stand. Even though they agreed to one night, both want so much more, but no numbers were exchanged. When another chance meeting occurs, they take it for the sign that it is.

I liked that these two were just normal guys with normal insecurities. Neither knew how they could fit in the other's life, but knew they had to try. Connections like these do not happen often. They felt real and very believable! My only complaint is that the ending seemed abrupt! I wanted more from these two!!

4 stars/3.5 flames

I was gifted this book by the Jeep Diva for the purpose of an honest review. The rating and review are solely my opinion.

You know, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading Architect of Love as I’d never read a John Charles book, however the blurb called out to me, so what the heck. Right? What I got was a really hot and enjoyable book that caught be flat footed.

Lance and Forrest’s story is truly a gay romance novel of two disparate men that find each other and that I found myself cheering for. Well worth it and just in time for the holidays.

THE CHARACTERS

Forrest Dentren:

“The tall blond kicked the door closed with his foot as he pinned the shorter, more muscular man against the wall. One hand held the shorter man's hands above his head, the other a handful of his shirt.

"Lance is a pretty name for such a muscular guy. Why'd your mother name you that?" His face was mere inches from Lance's. They breathed the same air as they stared into the other man's eyes.”

Forrest Dentren, is a successful architect that’s starting to make a name and reputation for himself and his company. A dedicated workaholic, he only allows himself two nights a week for his fun: Friday and Saturday nights, as he can stay out late and not have his fun interfere with his work. On a whim, he goes out on a weeknight and meets Forrest Dentren.

Lance Bartner:

“Suddenly as if on attack, Lance twisted in the taller man's arms. He forced Forrest around and pressed him against the wall where his back had lain seconds prior. "How does it feel now?" he whispered unable to voice anything louder. "You want more? Can you handle it or are the trees too big, Forrest?"

Forrest could feel Lance's long, calloused fingers holding his wrists. Short, muscular legs stood outside his encasing him. The hand pushing against his chest caused his heartbeat to sound and feel harder and louder. It was his turn to hyperventilate. "I can take anything you throw at me. Care to try something else or is this all you've got?"”

Hot, sexy, muscular, furry Lance Bartner is a blue-collar guy, a successful furniture restorer and refinisher. A man that’s used to working with his hands. When he meets Forrest at the local watering hole an unexpected spark is ignited. Unexpected because Forrest is not his usual type. At all.

THE STORY

This is truly a gay MM Romance book. It’s a love story of two men, completely different characters, different physically and in social standing, that have a magnetic attraction for each other. It’s on how they handle these differences, and accept each other that forms this very enjoyable read.

Forrest is starting to hit the big time with his career and his company, coming in a close second in the city’s contest for a new city center. He’s just starting to hit the limelight when he meets Lance. Lance isn’t used to the limelight, he’s more used to his regular blue-collar friends and life, so it is his angst towards a future with Forrest the forms the dynamic for the story, and what a fun to read story this is.

THE WRITING

This is solid, well executed writing that’s been very well edited. The sex scenes in this book are off the scale, intensely hot and the character development is spot on. The writing flows smoothly. The reader doesn’t experience any WTF double takes and the characters deliver at the precisely correct time. Well done. I look forward to the next book by this author.