Book: Romance Redefined
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication Date: November 27, 2017
Length: 200 pages
Reviewed by Erin
Synopsis
Opposites attract, but are some differences too drastic for a romance to survive?
On the surface, Benson Howard Winthrop III and Hugh Bayard have a lot in common: they’re young, handsome, and blessed to be one of the wealthiest couples in the country. Surely they have everything anyone could want. But Ben is no longer satisfied with their long-running relationship. Hugh’s need to control every situation is suffocating him, and Ben needs to know if he can make it on his own merits by following his passion.
But Ben’s mother isn’t about to let her son live in a rundown apartment as a struggling actor. She’s determined to get him back to his rightful place at the top of the social ladder—and back with Hugh.
Rekindling their romance will require more than doing what’s expected. Ben and Hugh need to understand and embrace each other’s differences. They’ll have to support each other even when one makes a decision the other doesn’t agree with. For their passionate love to grow, they will need to redefine the meaning of romance… only then can they find true happiness.
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Review
I am one of those readers that is a lover of angst. Sure, I enjoy those sweet and fluffy books that leave you all warm and smiley, but I REALLY enjoy when the main characters have to work hard for their happily ever after. The bumpier the better I say, which is why when I read the blurb for SJD Peterson's new book, Romance Redefined, I was sure this was going to be right up my alley. Well, suffice it to say that while there was some angst and Ben and Hugh DID have to work to get their HEA, this one was not my cup of tea.
Romance Redefined is the story of Ben and Hugh. There's also a Jason. Ben and Hugh have been married for 10 years and from the outside appear to have a relationship anyone would envy. Too bad the only thing Ben can think about doing is leaving, which he does. He's tired of Hugh's controlling nature and not following his own dream so he runs away to New York City to become the actor he's always dreamed of being. Ugh. I don't even know what to say about all of this. Since the book is told exclusively from Ben's perspective, we only know his thoughts and feelings and honestly, he isn't all that likeable. He comes off selfish, immature, and spoiled. When Ben finally lands an acting job, we meet Jason, who in all honesty I liked the most out of all the characters and was hoping that he and Ben would wind up together, thus the love triangle vibe of the book. Too bad Ben is still in love with Hugh and can't and won't move on.
I had a hard time finishing the book to be honest. I wasn't invested in Ben and Hugh's relationship, Ben's mother is a ridiculous caricature of an upper-class woman used to getting her way, and there wasn't enough on page time of Ben and Hugh to even care if they got back together. This could totally be a case of it's not the book it's me, so give Romance Redefined a try and see what you think.
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good author. will look out for this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review! I think the latest book that really caught my attention was Cordelia Kingsbridge’s Kill Game. Now I have this title line-up on my queueing read!
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