Review: Something Like Hope by Kris T. Bethke

Author: Kris T. Bethke

Pages/Word Count: 35,000 Words

At a Glance:

Reviewed By: Taz

Blurb: Television actor Aaron Zeller is thrilled when the character he plays on a popular primetime crime drama begins a gay relationship with one of the main characters on the show. While the cast and crew are mostly supportive, lead actor, Lucas Logan, is not. Aaron feels nothing but inexplicable coldness from the man.

Lucas admits his attraction for Aaron, but he is reluctant to act on his desires because of the potential detriment to his career should his sexuality become public. What they have between them could be sizzling hot. But is it worth the risks?

Review: I loved the premise of this book. Closeted superstar actor falls for another actor, but can’t express that love publicly for fear of damage to his career. Whenever I read stories about guys who want their cake but are too afraid to make the personal sacrifices to deserve it, I tend to get frustrated, but this story was handled in a way that I really appreciated the conflict between love and career. I think the reason this element didn’t bother me was because it was addressed by both characters in a direct and honest way. Each knew what they could tolerate, and made sure the other was okay with the limits their circumstances created on how public they could be about their relationship.

On top of the love interest, the sex was smokin’ hot. The passion and heat between the two protagonists was undeniable, as was the passion of their desire for one another. As I read, I could feel the intensity of Lucas’s possessiveness and jealousy. At the same time, my heart beat a bit faster at the strength of Aaron’s desire for Lucas.

One thing that I would have liked to witness was some form of a pitfall threatening the development of the central relationship. The way the book progressed was natural and believable, but if there had been a dramatic moment or set of events that forced Lucas to face his decision to remain in the closet, or perhaps to push him to make the decision to go public, there would have been a bit more of a dramatic flair and a greater sense of overcoming obstacles by the end.

That said, this story was highly satisfying and very believable. The honesty, emotions, and flow made for an engaging read and a hot love story.