Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This angsty, kink-forward gay romance, the second in Cate's Sinful Manor series (after Keep Me), reunites former college roommates turned messy friends with benefits seven years after the brutal argument that decimated their relationship. Artist Declan Barclay, whose fear of commitment stems from a traumatic past, is shocked when old flame Colin Shelby, now an actor, shows up at his family manor, intending to use it as the venue for his wedding to fellow actor Pierce Michael Hall. Declan hates Pierce on sight but, due to a bet with his sister, has to make sure the fast-approaching wedding goes off without a hitch. The narrative toggles between past and present, with the flashbacks laying a solid foundation for the men's relationship. When Declan realizes that Pierce doesn't treat Colin well, he has just six days to stop the wedding--and possibly win back the love of his life. Declan is just the kind of wounded hero Cate's fans will swoon for, and it's deeply satisfying to see Colin come into his own as he learns to name and claim his desires. Readers will find this as heartfelt as it is spicy. (Feb.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Though Declan Barclay hates renting out his family's Scottish manor for nuptials, he agrees to help pull off a secret celebrity wedding. Then the couple of honor rolls up: an American movie star and his British fiancé Colin; the latter happens to be Declan's former best friend and college roommate. Colin stopped talking to Declan years ago, after Declan confronted him about the burgeoning romantic feelings between them. Seeing Colin again is shocking to Declan, as is the idea of hosting his wedding to another man. For Colin, the unexpected reunion with his former friend forces him to remember how Declan always challenged and cherished him, in a way his soon-to-be husband seems incapable of. Declan and Colin weigh their old feelings for each other against their current lives, all as Colin's wedding day marches ever closer. VERDICT Cate's second Scotland-set "Sinful Manor" contemporary romance (after Keep Me) fleshes out another member of the Barclay family, alongside riveting, sexy chemistry.--Jenna Harmison
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