Review: Flying Colors by Clare London

Reviewed by SinChan
Flying Colors (True Colors #5) by Clare London
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 234pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
True Colors: Book Five

Red De Vere appears to have everything—good looks, a prestigious job, attention from the paparazzi, and a choice of lovers. But one day he takes an outrageous step too far at a formal embassy dinner, and the press turns on him. Shocked, he realizes it's time to find something better in life than partying. He envies the love that his friends Miles and Zeke have, and when he dares to consider that possibility for himself, his hopes and desires rest in his quiet, serious friend Carter Davison.

Carter loved a man who cheated on him, then died violently, and he refuses to make himself vulnerable again. He knows Red is interested; Red has been supportive and admiring since they met. And Carter's honest enough to admit he’s attracted to Red. But Carter can also think of nothing worse than being the lover of someone in the public eye. Playboy Red must stay an attractive friend, that’s all.

While Red yearns for something real, Carter has some sweet, sexy secrets that might surprise even Red. If Carter dares emerge from his shell, and Red pursues a more rewarding path, romance could spark. Then there’s no telling what might happen.

Review
This is the 5th book in the series, however, it's not necessary to read all the previous books, just the first book. There are several references to major plot points in True Colors (book 1) so reading the first book would help familiarize yourself to the characters and their personalities.

Red gets into trouble with the media and a nude photo of him prints in the newspapers. His father forces him to take a break from work and find something fulfilling to do with his life. Meanwhile, Red is still actively pursuing Carter. Carter is still recovering from his ex boyfriend's death, but can't reject Red's offer to help at a youth center where Carter spends most of his time working. Through hardships and supporting each other through emotional whirlwinds, they gradually build their love relationship.

I love the romance between Carter and Red and its fully developed. Both of them evolved and changed into better persons. Carter is a bit of a hypocrite with he says he see beyond Red's media, playboy facade, but still judges him for it. Red catches on to that and gets mad but stays with Carter. Eventually, Carter gets pass his grief and guilt (you'll find out why after reading the book) with Red's help and confesses to Red.

Red gets a push from his father to find his life's path instead of acting as an entertainment for the media. Red joins Carter on helping run a youth center for troubled teens. And there's plenty of trouble following the teens. As the newcomer, Red needs to earn their respect and make a place for himself at Carter's side.

I love the major character development that happens for the two MCs and I like their banter too. A downside for the book is the pacing. There are many natural stopping points in the story because of the slow pacing.

There is plenty of drama with various characters and trouble at the youth center but the majority of the book focuses on Carter's and Red's romance, how they support each other, and eventually become a couple in public. Overall, I really enjoyed it. Even though the story may seem a little slow, it picks up the pace towards the end. I definitely recommend this book for fans of Clare London's work and True Colors.

4 Pants Off

Review: Compulsion by Clare London

Compulsion by Clare London
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 256pgs
3.25 Pants Off

Blurb:
The past always catches up with you. Max Newman should know—he’s been running from his ever since he dropped out of Uni and made a disastrous move to the seedier side of London. Now he’s returned to Brighton to lick his wounds. Though Max believes the club scene is better left behind him, one night he lets his friends drag him out dancing. And suddenly the simple life he’s tried to lead gets complicated.

At Compulsion, the Medina Group’s newest hotspot, Max meets Seve Nunez, a member of the Medina management and a man used to taking what he wants. The sexual chemistry between Max and Seve immediately leads to an intimate encounter in the backyard of the club—just the kind of dangerous behavior Max tried to leave behind. Despite that, he can't help but crave more, and Seve seems just as eager.

But Max soon suspects that Seve may not be the scrupulous businessman he claims. Max has seen the Medina Group at work before, and what he saw got a good friend killed. He's not sure what future he has with Seve, but he'll have to decide whether to trust in Seve’s innocence or keep running. The wrong choice could land them both in mortal danger.

Review:
Ugh, I was soooo frustrated with this book (like grind my effing teeth frustrating). There were parts that were really explosive, intense, and sexy as hell, but after awhile reading, it just started to feel like work. It dragged on too much, and I started to look forward to the ending (which seems to be my feeling for the new year of the books I’ve read).

Max left his sordid past back in London, and he's trying to move on in Brighton by being close to the friends he once left behind. Now he just works, stays away from the partying/club scene, and he is surely not looking for any sort of hook-up in the sexual variety. Because he once got lost in the fast life, and it cost him a friend and Max is definite that he will never make the same mistake again. Until his close buddies drag him off to the club Compulsion, Max vows to stay out of trouble until his eyes land on Mr Tall, Dark, and Sexy. Seve Nunez is exactly the kind of man Max should stay away from, but his body is finally calling out after all this time.

The men begin a sexual affair, blazing hot while they ride each other in some backyard. Its the after the sex that the men aren't so good at, both not looking for anything long term but being unable to resist each other.  Max does have some history with Seve's family and their goons, and suddenly that past life he's been running from suddenly is catching up to his present (oh noez).

First off, Seve and Max are very hot together, and them having sex were my fave parts of the book. It's when Max had to actually have conversations with other people is where the book annoyed me. He always only gave some of his story, yet had no problems with throwing out judgment without listening to others. His whole "I can't talk about it. Don't wanna talk about it" mentality frustrated the crap out me. He had his reasons for silence, but when he finally spilled, I was like "meh". Max really irked me!

Really, this was the Max show and I hardly have a strong feel of Seve. I felt like his voice wasn't strong enough (or it was overshadowed by Max's constant interruptions and stubbornness to never listen). Their only connection was through sex (there's this one scene in a car that just makes you feel like a horny teenager) so I can't call this a romance. There was nothing romantic about them together, just dirty sexy lust.

Should You Read It? It's a good book with great writing, but I really felt like it dragged on. If you like, reading about men battling their feelings, then you should check it out. I liked it, but was hoping to like it more. I can't recommend it but it truly was hot and there were moments when I really enjoyed it.

SideNote- I had to keep reminding myself that Compulsion is spelt with a 'Com' not a 'Cum' :D