“Some things are destined to be — it just takes us a couple of tries to get there.” ― J.R. Ward
Title: Polyester Prince (ABQ Heat: Book 2)
Author: Hayley B. James
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 214 Pages
Rating: 4 Stars
Blurb: Kyle Edington built his life around clubs, alcohol, nameless sex, and turning a blind eye to his future, but having front row access to his best friend’s perfect relationship leaves him wanting something he doesn’t understand—the white picket fence. After an ankle injury hinders his plans for PrideFest and puts his day job selling furniture at risk, Kyle attends Pride anyway to cheer himself up. Leaving his crutches at home was a mistake, though, and he’s shoved off balance and hits his head.
A bike officer keeps him safe until the paramedics arrive. Kyle’s memory of the event is foggy. He doesn’t recall the name or face of his guardian angel, but he definitely remembers the finest polyester-covered ass in all of Albuquerque.
But when he goes in search of his polyester prince, Kyle realizes relationships take hard work. After he learns the name of that perfect ass, a lifetime of avoiding serious boyfriends leaves Kyle second-guessing himself and making difficult decisions about what he wants for his future.
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Review: When we last saw Kyle Edington in Paid Leave, he was a wild and carefree single man working his way through the single men of Albuquerque. We soon find out that not much has changed. Kyle is the resident party boy in their group of friends, and he does not do relationships. He barely learns his one night stands’ names.
His party boy lifestyle is starting to show some wear and tear lately. He has an unfortunate experience with a stripper pole and then with the sidewalk at the local pride parade. These incidents have not only left him bruised and battered and missing work, but they bring him in contact with Isaac, the polyester uniform clad bike officer that worms his way into Kyle’s subconscious.
Due to his concussion, Kyle can’t remember the name of his “polyester prince”, but with the help of officer Benji, Kyle gets back in touch with Isaac, and they embark upon a relationship of sorts. It isn’t conventional, and it isn’t the normal hearts and flowers courtship. Kyle sees the white picket fence type of relationship as more of a prison. He wants to be independent, not tied down with the house, kids and dogs like Neal and Benji.
Isaac is looking for forever and he wants to spend that forever with Kyle. Both of these men are going to have to give a little and learn to bend if this thing between them is going to survive. One thing I loved about this story was the fact that we got to see Neal and Benji again. Those two are struggling with their decision to adopt a child. Through their relationship hurdles, we get to see a side of Kyle that we hadn’t seen before. As much as Neal and Benji’s happy coupledom makes Kyle nervous, he shows the depth of his friendship with them through small but significant gestures.
Eventually, Isaac and Kyle come to a point in their relationship where they have to either give one another more of a commitment or walk away and keep their hearts somewhat intact.
I was very excited to see this book on the Dreamspinner list because I loved the first book in this series. I was so looking forward to seeing Kyle get his man, and Hayley B. James did not disappoint. Kyle was truly the star of this book. He is a fiercely independent, very strong man. At the beginning of the book he is convinced that he doesn’t need anyone to “complete” him. Over time, he realizes that no matter how well you take care of yourself sometimes it is nice to share the burden. Watching Kyle grow within himself and with Isaac was so much fun. He finds out that just because it has always been one way for him that doesn’t mean it can’t change.
I highly recommend this book, but if you are going to read it, I would say it is necessary for you to read the first book in the series.
You can buy Polyester Prince (ABQ Heat: Book 2) here:
