Review: Coloring Outside the Lines by Diana DeRicci

Reviewed by SinChan
Coloring Outside the Lines (Different Paths to Love #2) by Diana DeRicci
Dreamspinner Press
Novella: 112pgs
5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Photographer Ralph Haraldsson’s birthday celebration starts to turn disastrous when he runs into his ex, and it seems to be headed downhill from there. Julian Franzese, an off-duty cop with a hotter-than-sin body, gets co-opted to take Ralph home when the friends he came with run into problems. Even though they’ve never met before, Julian defends Ralph’s wounded pride from his ex and his body from a creepy patron. The relationship starts out cool, but Ralph soon warms up to the persistent Texan, and as they get to know each other, the temperature continues to rise. But Ralph has a couple of secrets: an old injury that could make a difference, and the room he keeps locked up behind his studio—a room where only those who play by the rules can enter. What might Julian think if Ralph shows him all his hidden colors?

Review
Julian approaches Ralph at a gay bar and makes nice with Ralph's friends, saves him from a mean guy in the restroom, and takes him home for the night. Ralph thinks he's the perfect guy but can Julian handle Ralph's job as a photographer and taking photos of naked men?

Julian's character is very typical of M/M romance stories. He has a gorgeous face and body, knows exactly what to say, and trusts his instincts. He's intently focused on Ralph and is convinced that Ralph is "the one" for him. If this is a shifter romance and Julian is the shifter, my disbelief would have been suspended, but for this contemporary story, I think Julian is too perfect.

The story mainly focuses on Julian and Ralph's relationship and how Ralph comes to trust Julian. Later, when Ralph is in trouble with a stalker, he trusts Julian to save him and love him. Their romance is beautiful and their trust in each other is very heartwarming.

Overall, this is a great romance story with some humor and some BDSM (though not between the MCs) thrown in. The writing flows smoothly and makes this book a breeze to read.

5 Pants Off