The Alcove (Lavender Shores Book 7) by Rosalind Abel #Audiobook #LGBT #Review #MM

Erryn reviews The Alcove (Lavender Shores Book 7) by Rosalind Abel (Published by Wings of Ink Publications, May 30, 2018, 312 pages)
The audiobook was released June 25, 2019, is 9hrs and 56 mins and is narrated by Kirt Graves. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

To read the review for The Palisade (Lavender Shores Book 1) click here.
To read the review for The Garden (Lavender Shores Book 2) click here.
To read the review of The Veranda (Lavender Shores Book 3) click here.
To read the review for The Shipwreck (Lavender Shores Book 4) click here.
To read the review of The Hideaway (Lavender Shores Book 5) click here.
To read the review of The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) click here.
To read the review of The Alcove (Lavender Shores Book 7) click here.
To read the review of The Wilderness (Lavender Shores Book 8) click here.
To read the review of The Victorian (Lavender Shores Book 9) click here.
To read the review for The Garden Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 2) click here.
To read the review of The Veranda Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 3) click here
To read the review of The Shipwreck Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 4) click here
To read the review of The Hideaway Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 5) click here.
To read the review of The Glasshouse Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 6) click here.

Jasper Getty is living his dream as the owner of the charming bookshop, Lavender Pages. For seven years, he’s enjoyed the safety and freedom to be himself, selling books by day and curling up and getting lost in novels by night. But a dark page from the past comes back to haunt Jasper as his ex begins stalking him.

Russell Wallace hit reset on his life in Nashville and became a bodyguard after decades of living according to family expectations. But even years later, he doesn’t believe he deserves happiness. When Russell is asked to travel to the beautiful seaside town of Lavender Shores to protect a friend’s brother, he expects nothing more than a job and a paycheck.

But Lavender Shores reveals a world Russell never imagined, and his immediate attraction to the adorably geeky Jasper complicates an already difficult job. Jolted by the memory of a shared moment and paths that crossed years ago intensifies the sparks into a bonfire of passion and hope.

When danger comes pounding at the door, Jasper is in danger of losing his life… and his heart.

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My review:

I love to read. That’s probably obvious by the fact I write reviews about the books I’ve read, but I just wanted to state that fact. I read plenty, although I wish I had time to read more. Ah well, that pesky making a living thing gets in the way, but I’m a responsible adult so I’ll do it. I work so I can read in my down time.

In this book, Jasper Getty owns a bookshop. My idea of heaven, I think. His new bodyguard Russell Wallace questions him:

“You like books, huh?”

At Jasper’s snorted laugh, I looked back at him, pleased to see a small smile that seemed to wash away some of the irritation. “Typically that’s a must-have for someone to open a bookshop.”

I supposed it was. Obviously it had been a dumb question. I cast another glace at the book-laden shelves. Emotionally stunted or not, it didn’t take a genius to literally feel the life in that little alcove. Almost like stepping into a cathedral and sensing you were on hallowed or sacred ground.

I can picture the alcove – another idea of heaven for me. But enough about me. Jasper Getty is a man who has built a happy life for himself. He owns his bookstore in thee LGBTQ-friendly town of Lavender Shores. He has good friends. His brother Harrison is about to celebrate his first anniversary with his husband Adrian. All in all, Jasper’s got a great life.

Until his past catches up with him. And while Jasper doesn’t want to take the threat seriously, his brother Harrison does, even going so far as to hire a bodyguard. And what a bodyguard he’s selected – Russell is fit, hunky, and on the older side – just the way Jasper likes his men. Jasper believes Russell is straight and feels the whole stalker situation is over-the-top. Then he makes a realization about Russell and his whole world is turned upside down.

I love opposites attract age-gap stories. Russell is man who has dedicated his life to others. As a cop and later as a bodyguard, he’s taken his role seriously – willing to lay his life on the line to protect others. Jasper is an introvert who gets lost in fantasy worlds. He reads voraciously and believes that although there is evil in the world, happy endings are also possible. He might even be a little envious of his brother’s happiness. Until Russell he believed himself destined to be single. Meeting the older man has him feeling all kinds of inappropriate things.

There is humor in this book. I’m specifically thinking about the bookclub scene where alcohol is imbibed. The book being discussed is Lucy Lennox’ Delivering Dante – another book I adored. And the blowjob Bonanza scene? Worth the price of admission. I laughed out loud. Later in the book, Jasper and Russell go on a double date with Connor and Micah Bryant. Their mother is a member of the storied bookclub. As Connor tells Jasper and Russell:

“Fuck, that’s worse than when we stumbled on their Fifty Shades shit show. At least then Robert was only dressed up as Fabio.” He shuddered again. “Although Mom was wearing her bustier, so that wasn’t much better.”

“Yeah, but at least she doesn’t opt for the sheer option. Micah grinned at Connor, then beamed at me. “Welcome to town. You’re not a real Lavenderite until you’ve been sexually accosted in one way or another by Robert Kelly and our mom.”

It’s in jest, of course, but Robert Kelly’s antics are legendary – and all in fun. Robert makes a cameo in every book and I always await those moments that add levity.

On a more serious note, Jasper does have a stalker and it’s a dangerous situation. Many people can relate to being the object of someone’s attention when it’s unwanted. The ultimate resolution of that part of the story was painful.

There is great joy in this book as well and as with Ms. Abel’s other books, I got my happy ending. I want to mention the narrator Kirt Graves. He always does a stellar job narrating these stories, providing consistency across the books. He’s a pleasure to listen to and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

My rating:

10/10 Pots of Gold – Compares to 5/5 Stars

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @rosalind_abel | Goodreads

Rosalind Abel grew up tending chickens alongside her sweet and faithful Chow, Lord Elgin. While her fantasy of writing novels was born during her teen years, she never would have dreamed she’d one day publish steamy romances about gorgeous men. However, sometimes life turns out better than planned.

In between crafting scorching sex scenes and helping her men find their soul mate, Rosalind enjoys cooking, collecting toys, and making the best damn scrapbooks in the world (this claim hasn’t been proven, but she’s willing to put good money on it).

She adores MM Romance and the power it has to sweep the reader away into worlds filled with passion, steam, and love. Rosalind also enjoys her collection of plot bunnies, and welcomes new fuzzy ones in her home all the time, so feel free to send any adorable ones her way.