Author: Anne Tenino
Series: Romancelandia, #2
Published: October 18th 2014
Publisher: Riptide
Length: 415 pages
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: Amazon
Before confessing his gayness to his best friend, Tierney Terrebonne’s sex life is -strictly restroom. After confessing his gayness to his best friend . . . it doesn’t improve much. Why bother trying when the man he’s loved for fourteen years (see: “best friend”) is totally unattainable? Good thing Tierney is an old hand at accepting defeat; all it takes is a bottle of bourbon. Or fifty. Repeat as needed.Dalton Lehnart has a history of dating wealthy, damaged, closeted, lying, cheating, no-good, cowardly men, so of course he’s immediately attracted to Tierney Terrebonne. Fortunately, Tierney is so dissolute that even Dalton’s feelings for the man would be better described as pity. Which becomes sympathy as they get to know each other. Followed by compassion, concern, caring, and hopefulness as Tierney struggles to change his life. When the man comes out very publicly and enters rehab, Dalton finds himself downright attached to Tierney. And as everyone knows, after attachment comes . . .Uh oh.But post-rehab Tierney can’t handle more than friendship, so Dalton should be safe from repeating his own past mistakes, right? Right?
The wonderful Anne Tenino is known for her delightful, albeit slightly ridiculous plots and her fabulous sense of humor. I haven’t read all of her novels, but I’ve read enough to know that she always hits all right buttons and that I inevitably end up laughing like a lunatic and scaring my poor neighbors in the process.
The first book in Anne’s Romancelandia series fit that description perfectly. It’s been years since I’d read it, but I remember the details well, and I remember laughing until I cried. Therefore, the seriousness of Billionaire with Benefits came as no small surprise. We remember Tierney from the first book, where we saw him in the worst possible light. I was less than thrilled to be reading a novel in which he was the protagonist. Rich, spoiled and used to getting his way, Tierney seemed to be the most unlikely hero. In fact, I couldn’t imagine that the word hero would ever apply to him. But only the best author can redeem a character while still showing all of his weaknesses, and Anne Tenino certainly is one of the best. We see a different Tierney in Billionaire with Benefits: still an alcoholic, still extremely difficult, but brave and willing to make radical changes.
Dalton made less of an impression since Tierney’s struggles were the very core of this book, but he was the perfect match for our troubled billionaire. His no-nonsense approach to everything, and the vulnerability underneath, made me fall in love with him in a heartbeat. Me and Tierney both, it would seem. Neither of them was perfect, although Dalton came pretty close, but their flaws were well-matched, and by the end, I was completely convinced that they were a couple made to last.
I loved that Tenino offered no easy fixes, no ‘love cures all’ approach. Tierney had to do the work and face the fact, and only then was he capable of being with somebody else. The road to forgiveness is never easy and his made me cry more than most, but the warmth in the end was more than worth it and I loved every second of my journey with him and Dalton.
You can’t go wrong with one of Anne’s books, but these are (and likely always will be) my favorites. Pay no attention to the silly cover, this book will make you cry those ugly tears, but they’ll make the wonderful ending that much sweeter.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No consideration, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
I haven't read any of her books, but rest assured I'll be checking them out. Can I just say how ridiculous that cover is?! Well, don't judge by the cover and all that...
ReplyDeleteUgly crying is the best kind of crying! I haven't read much LGBT but I am so willing to broaden my scope with something that will resonate with me and make me feel all the feelz. And I don't think the cover is exactly ugly... it has a very endearing and amusing charm to it, especially with that guy with a rose between his teeth. I think I chuckled for a minute or two because of it!
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
Hmmm I don't know if it's for me I confess I'm not that attracted but I'm glad you had a good time with this book!
ReplyDeleteI'm not really into LGBT reads but this one sounds interesting. Finally someone is offering "love doesn't cure all" idea. It's usually what annoys me the most. Anyhow I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great review, Maja :)
ReplyDeleteLOL I agree with Joy, the cover is ridiculous but it sounds like the story more than made up for it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, that cover makes me want to weep at how bad and awkward it is. I would have seriously not have given this book a second thought had I not read your review. It sounds like it was a humorous book with a lot of heart. I will have to check this out, Maja.
ReplyDeleteLovely review.
I know, I want to strangle someone at Riptide for ruining such a fabulos book.
DeleteI'm glad that you gave such a wonderful recommendation to this book because only by that cover I would have never even come close to it with a ten feet pole! What an awful cover dammit!!
ReplyDeleteI would have never guessed from the cover that this was an emotional and impactful read. The cover really needs work. Sounds like this is a solid case of don't judge a book by its cover right? I happen to live on Tenino St so I think I should read i for that reason alone.
ReplyDeleteThe humor and emotionality sounds great
ReplyDeleteI haven't read her, and I feel sorry about it. I love clever humor, and authors who can make the reader root for the weak, flawed characters. The cover is slightly off-putting, I must admit. Lovely review, Maja :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic! I love romances like this but I hate to cry. You have me not knowing what to do! LOL I have to say I wan not impressed with the blurb either so I think she needs a better book cover selection. :) Brilly review!
ReplyDeleteThat cover *coughs*
ReplyDelete"Pay no attention to the silly cover ..." Lol, that cover is terrible!
ReplyDeleteI generally don't do straight-up romance novels so I'll have to pass on this one, Maja, but I love how you're featuring all these diverse books :)
Um...what is with that cover?!? *headdesk* Cheese is not great unless it's with crackers and wine. (I do love cheese IN my book, just not on the cover.)
ReplyDelete