Review: Apple Polisher by Heidi Belleau

Apple Polisher (Rear Entrance Video #1) by Heidi Belleau
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 230pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
This straight-A student has a dirty little secret.

Christian Blake dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, but making the grade means maintaining a squeaky clean image: no drinking, no drugs, no swearing, no sex. And definitely no falling for his new roommate—tattooed bad-boy Max, who may or may not be a drug dealer.

Most of all, it means no working at a porn store. But Christian’s aunt has cancer, and her beloved Rear Entrance Video will go bankrupt if Christian doesn’t take over managerial duties. Soon enough, Christian finds himself juggling sticky twenty-five cent peepshow booths, a blackmailing employee, and a demanding professor who likes to make an example of him.

And then there’s Max, who doesn’t know anything about the store, but hates Christian’s preppy sweater vests and the closet Christian forces him into when they’re together. Max just wants Christian to be himself—even though Max is keeping secrets of his own. Christian struggles to find the impossible balance between his real life and the ideal one he thinks a teacher needs to live . . . all while trying to keep his aunt’s dream alive without losing his own.

Review
I can honestly say that my expectations were high for this book. After knowing the awesomeness that is Heidi Belleau through co-authoring with some very talented authors, her solo work was a must read on my list. I have to say I was not disappointed at all, this book delivered for me and I couldn't help falling in love with all the characters.

Christian Blake is a straight A student with a squeaky clean image, after all he's gonna be a teacher and it’s his job to lead by example. So Christian wears his sweater vests and tries to be all that he can be, but he's hit n hard times and he needs a place to live fast. What he can afford comes with four new roommates, and though the setting might not be ideal, Christian knows he's going to have to be extra diligent when it comes to fun. No drinking, no smoking, and especially no sex with men, no matter how hot is his roommates are. Especially that Max, who may or may not be a drug dealer with his tats and attitude, Christian isn't sure if he likes him not at all or a whole lot.

Christian has got a lot on his plate. He has to uphold this squeaky clean image which is exhausting, and his aunt who is like a mother to him is sick from cancer. His priorities are a little screwed because he's always wanted to be a teacher and he is willing to go the distance to achieve it, and yet he's guilty of not being the most supporting family member when his aunt has always been there for him. Things would have been simpler if his aunt didn't own a porn shop, and she didn't need help with said porn shop, Rear Entrance Video. Life is just one long complicated mess for Christian who hides in a closet, and hides behind his dream of teaching.

Of course his chemistry with bad boy is off the chain, and he's all angsty about it. Yet, the body wants what the body wants, and Christian and Max dive into a sexual relationship, Christian knows his lust for Max is strong but he isn't very positive that he even likes the dude. But it turns out that Max is the more real of them both, and Christian has got to put on his big boy panties and go help out at his aunt's video shop. Well you know...all secret and shit.

First, I enjoyed the crap out of this one! Christian is such a real character who is very scared of doing the wrong thing even though it’s actually the right thing. His being scared to open up is so legit in this book, and he might come off as stuck up but his reasons are sound. I can imagine wanting something so bad and one little thing could make you lose it all. Plus, the one time he shared who he was to the person whom should have accepted him the most, she just threw him away. Then there is Max, it all comes back to Max a man who challenges, infuriates, and is all the things that Christian shouldn't want and don't even deserve having but above all else needs. They couldn't be more opposite, but yet are so very much alike I freaking love them together.

Apple Polisher is such a fitting name for the first book in this series cus Christian is sweater vest wearing ass kisser (duuuuude seriously) but he's legit. It's also a mix of geek, a modern day romance of opposites attract and sexy fire explodes on the floor of porn shop (real scene that happened), and a lesson in being true to yourself. And of course the most important is that Apple Polisher is so diversified and for that alone I salute you Heidi Belleau. I love reading about a strong positive black character and the woman that raised him, and Max who proves never to judge a book by its cover. I can't wait to read book 2!!

Should You Read It? Yes, yes, and more yes. I enjoyed reading this one a whole lot, and it’s an awesome read from a fantastic author.

4.5 Pants Off