Erryn reviews ‘Now You See Me’ by Lynn Van Dorn. The ebook was published September 13, 2019 and is 311 pages. The audiobook was narrated by Kirt Graves. It was released April 16, 2020 and is 8hrs and 88mins. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I adore Lynn Van Dorn and Kirt Graves is one of my faves as well.
Miguel wants to be noticed.
Miguel Cordero Ruiz always considered himself straight, but his sexy anatomy professor, Dr. Cummings, is making him seriously rethink that. While the professor who lives across the street is supposedly a “bird watcher”, it’s rumored he’s really spying on the male students who live in Miguel’s building. When rumor is confirmed as fact, Miguel decides to give the professor a show he won’t forget.
Aldrich is afraid of being seen.
Aldrich Cummings has led a lonely existence. That all changes when he sees his gorgeous new neighbor moving in across the street. When he discovers the guy he’s been secretly watching from his office window is not only aware of his audience, but is enjoying it, Aldrich is even more entranced. Miguel is his student, and therefore off-limits, but what the administration doesn’t know won’t hurt them.
It was supposed to be harmless and meaningless voyeurism.
As time passes, the desire between them burns so brightly it inevitably explodes. Both will face consequences if the university finds out what the professor and his student have been getting up to. They will need to navigate the obstacles in their path to find the happiness both have been searching for.
Now You See Me is a stand-alone MM novel. It contains one not-straight Navy vet, one professor afraid of being touched, nosy relatives, nosier neighbors, troublesome colleagues, voyeurism, The Pleasure Chest, binoculars, a Maginot Line made from pillows, and a HEA for two men who deserve happiness.
Book Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My Review:
I’m on a Lynn Van Dorn kick these days and so was thrilled to see another audio come out. I love Kirt Graves so to see he was narrating ratcheted up my desire to listen even further. Then I listened and I was not disappointed.
At first glance, this book is truly opposites attract. Aldrich is a professor of biology. He lives a very prescribed life, choosing not to face romantic entanglements after the last one went so horribly wrong. After having lost his parents at a young age, he’s alone in the world. He sits in his perch and watches the world go by. Does that make him pervy? Well, if his neighbors insist on doing naughty things with their blinds open, they’re practically inviting someone to watch them.
Miguel served his time in the military and discovered he liked helping people. He wants to become a radiologist and is using the GI bill to get an education. Upon moving into his room close to campus, he’s warned about the pervy prof across the street. His roommate Dev proudly boasts of having gotten Aldrich in trouble. Meanwhile Luna, their other roommate, is less concerned. She’s got her sights set on someone who is too dense to see what’s in front of him. Intrigued at the stories of the teacher across the road, Miguel decides to keep the drapes wide open. The light floods into his room and he enjoys the view. And the knowledge he’s being watched. Yeah, he’s a little kinky himself.
Soon the watching and being watched become an obsession for both men. Miguel’s grades slip and Aldrich worries he might get caught. When they finally meet in person and it’s explosive. Then Aldrich pulls back leaving Miguel flapping in the wind. Not willing to let go, Miguel agrees to this crazy scheme of Luna’s to get back in the professor’s good graces. And into his pants as well.
Miguel is fiery Puerto Rican while Aldrich is plain and reserved. He doesn’t like to be touched and that’s caused plenty of problems in the past. He’s tried at times to push through the discomfort, but it never works. Miguel’s creative solutions intrigue him. Oh, and he might just be falling in love. With his student.
That heightened level of stress carried for most of the book. I kept thinking: they’re going to get caught and OMG what is going to happen then??? Add in some nosy neighbors and meddling colleagues and it all goes sideways. As I’d known it would. But in the end, everything works out. As I’d known it would.
I found both these characters relatable. I yearned to soothe Aldrich’s fear of touch. I wanted Miguel to succeed in school because he’s clearly found his calling. Heck, I even held out hope that Luna would nab her man and I also hoped Jose might find someone special. Not all of those dreams were realized, but enough were that I got my happy ending. When Miguel called Aldrich ‘papi’ my heart might have melted. And when Miguel told Dev, “if someone touches your soul, let them touch your asshole”, I laughed my ass off. This book put me through a wide range of emotions which is probably why I enjoyed it so much. Looking forward to more books by Ms. Van Dorn and certainly hoping to hear more from Kirt very soon.
My Rating:
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
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