Helpful Score: 1
I loved this story. It is much more complex than the description might lead you to believe. I can't wait to read more from this author.
I loved this book and give it 4.5 stars. Best friends fall in love, but not the normal story, it was funny in parts and sweet in others. The sex scenes were smoking!
First a disclaimer... I worked in WTC 1 and lived so close nearby that my daily commute was further up and down than back and forth. Having experienced the events of 9/11 first hand at such close proximity, I was initially reluctant to read this book for fear that it would be exploitative of that day or re-open old wounds in a bad way. That fear proved groundless. The book did mention those events and both of the main characters were profoundly affected but the actual story here starts ten years later and, as is human, some healing has occurred. The events themselves were recalled in flashback with the respect that they deserve. That said...
Griff is a big burly red headed guy who is a bit of a gentle giant and who always seems to be extra concerned about how his actions will himself and others. Dante is a cocky life of the party ladies man who is generally heedless and, as his fireman profession suggests, will rush in where "angels fear to tread." Griff has been pretty much "adopted" into Dante's big sprawling Italian family and the two men are closer than many brothers. But Griff has a secret. He's attracted to Dante in ways that he doesn't understand and that he's certain Dante and his family won't understand either.
When Dante gets into money trouble keeping up the payments on his dream house, he approaches Griff about appearing with him on a gay porn site and raising the money that he needs. Griff has trouble denying Dante anything he asks for but will he be able to do this and keep his secret, or his sanity?
This tale had me from the outset. Both men were charming in their own ways. The feel of city and the camaraderie of the firefighters was portrayed very realistically and evocatively. Men in police and fire professions sometime seem to have that "act first, consider later" attitude, along with a sometimes macho, sometimes "little boys in men's bodies" posturing. And that was shown here in loving detail.
And yet, underneath it all, this was M/M romance and a coming out story of sorts. I found it thoroughly enjoyable.
Griff is a big burly red headed guy who is a bit of a gentle giant and who always seems to be extra concerned about how his actions will himself and others. Dante is a cocky life of the party ladies man who is generally heedless and, as his fireman profession suggests, will rush in where "angels fear to tread." Griff has been pretty much "adopted" into Dante's big sprawling Italian family and the two men are closer than many brothers. But Griff has a secret. He's attracted to Dante in ways that he doesn't understand and that he's certain Dante and his family won't understand either.
When Dante gets into money trouble keeping up the payments on his dream house, he approaches Griff about appearing with him on a gay porn site and raising the money that he needs. Griff has trouble denying Dante anything he asks for but will he be able to do this and keep his secret, or his sanity?
This tale had me from the outset. Both men were charming in their own ways. The feel of city and the camaraderie of the firefighters was portrayed very realistically and evocatively. Men in police and fire professions sometime seem to have that "act first, consider later" attitude, along with a sometimes macho, sometimes "little boys in men's bodies" posturing. And that was shown here in loving detail.
And yet, underneath it all, this was M/M romance and a coming out story of sorts. I found it thoroughly enjoyable.
Decided to throw in a different perspective. I didn't love it. Decent read, but I found the writing style awkward & hard to get into for quite some time. Actually felt frustrated enough to consider putting it down at the beginning.
What I thought was particularly well done was the homage to the uniforms who both survived & lost their lives during 9/11. Mr. Suede seems particularly adept at making things come alive, like the life of a NY fireman.
This is a love story. And it does have good sex scenes. But it is a story about 2 straight men, navigating their way into the gay lifestyle...about learning to accept who you love & deal with the consequences of choosing to be whole. There is a lot of resistance & denial (not uncommon, still awkward).
I hope I'm not totally out of line saying so, but the general attitudes about gay men seemed out-of-date...not obsolete (I'm aware there are still a lot of close minded & awful attitudes out there). I kept thinking I was reading a historical (maybe 70-80s) until I was reminded of the 21st century setting. Forgive me; I grew up in CA & have never been to NY...east coast has very different attitudes.
Finally, I found the drastic personality change of one of the main H to be disturbing!
So, yes...it's worth reading. For me 3.8* My favorite authors in this genre (which also write about straight crossover) are Marie Sexton & Tere Michaels.
What I thought was particularly well done was the homage to the uniforms who both survived & lost their lives during 9/11. Mr. Suede seems particularly adept at making things come alive, like the life of a NY fireman.
This is a love story. And it does have good sex scenes. But it is a story about 2 straight men, navigating their way into the gay lifestyle...about learning to accept who you love & deal with the consequences of choosing to be whole. There is a lot of resistance & denial (not uncommon, still awkward).
I hope I'm not totally out of line saying so, but the general attitudes about gay men seemed out-of-date...not obsolete (I'm aware there are still a lot of close minded & awful attitudes out there). I kept thinking I was reading a historical (maybe 70-80s) until I was reminded of the 21st century setting. Forgive me; I grew up in CA & have never been to NY...east coast has very different attitudes.
Finally, I found the drastic personality change of one of the main H to be disturbing!
So, yes...it's worth reading. For me 3.8* My favorite authors in this genre (which also write about straight crossover) are Marie Sexton & Tere Michaels.
Hot Head is one of the best M/M books I've ever read. The love story is just different enough to be fresh, and the sex scenes are smoking hot and very emotionally charged. Definitely a 5-star book!
