Hot Sauce

This is just one of the interesting and intriguing books by the two Scotts. I throughly enjoyed the blending of two lives with very different backgrounds. Clothing designer Troy and celebrated chef Brad live in Boston and struggle to stay on track with loving each other and mananging their own choosen pursuits. Despite interference from one parent and a figure from Troy's past, love does triumph over all but not without a cost in trust. The ending is sweet and unlike any other the two Scotts have written. Be sure to read all of their books and I look forward to their newest when it is published.

I enjoyed the book. Loved the description. I couldn't get overly emotional about the plot. Usually when I read a romance, there is someone or something that gets your ire up. You feel bad for someone or you want to be someone in the book. I found that Troy was way too perfect and Brad (who sounded grand) was too insecure. However, as usual, the descriptions are fantastic and the men are sexy. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. I would recommend it for those who love romance stories as it is a quick and fun read and you do end up hoping Brad and Troy can make it through their trials and tribulations.

This book has the critical ingredient for a good tragedy ("Othello," maybe): each of the two lovers has an important flaw, and the flaws contribute mightily to a fight that nearly (and maybe should have) destroyed the relationship. Brad and Troy are lovers thinking of becoming life spouses, and they both have some wonderful qualities and are both deeply dedicated to their respective work. Brad is so expressive and open and adorable; he couldn't hide anything from his lover if he tried. Troy, on the other hand, is deeply closed in on himself, and that character trait led to near tragedy. Brad has a flaw: his piddlingly low self-esteem: he's not sure he's good enough for rich, gorgeous, charismatic Troy. He isn't receiving all the reassurance and expressions of love he needs to hear articulated, and Troy takes him far too much for granted. Troy's flaw is MUCH worse: he hides too much from people. As outgoing a "glad hander" as he is, he doesn't communicate strong feelings well, especially with his own lover. He doesn't tell Brad about his life before they met ("too painful"), though it would've helped Brad deal with Troy's mother and other situations had he done so. Troy doesn't tell Brad the depth and nature of his love for his partner, though Brad in his insecurity needs to hear it. Worst of all, Troy doesn't tell Brad about some shenanigans he's involved with with a beautiful siren of a scumbag named Aria (he should have been named "Iago"). Troy's failure was not only ill-advised, it also led directly to a major fight and misunderstanding that nearly destroyed everything Troy and Brad both valued in life. Troy (though not Brad) would have deserved his fate had it done so, and his efforts basically did nothing to resolve the issues between them. Brad insecurities were played to very effectively by sleezebag "Aria," who had his own agenda. When Troy's reluctance to articulate his feelings and "private" thoughts and activities combines with his mother's mean-spirited interference (a mother-in-law from Hell, in Brad's justified view), Brad's insecurities and Aria's manipulations, fireworks result and Troy is forced to try to overcome his own inhibitions. Throw in two or three delightful friends (who basically resolve the conflict for the boys, yes, boys, because they both needed to grow up), some hot sex (and they don't fall into predictable patterns in their sex) and some good wonderful cuddling, and you get a fun, romantic read. Well worth the effort as a romantic comedy, though it might have been even better as a romantic tragedy. Major revisions to the review: 18 Feb 2007. Wish I'd given this book five stars instead of four. Sept 5, 2007.

When I first bought this book it sounded awesome. I didn't even know it was about gay men. I know I should have by the cover.lol. But it turned out to be better then I imagined. It had awesome detail, and I loved the the sex scenes. I am a woman, but would definetly buy another book by these authors. Very very fun and exciting book. I couldn't put it down!!!

Bradley Drake has what most gay men want. He has good looks, a gym-toned body to die for, good friends (including a "fag hag" girlfriend Chessie who adores him), and a financial success in his dream job, being owner-chef of three successful restaurants in Boston. Last but not least, he has handsome and hunky Troy Boston, cream of the crop of that town's "A-list" gays, as his boyfriend. Or does he? While Troy and Brad spend a good deal of their free time together, seem to get along fabulously both in and out of bed, and are even working on a joint project ("Club Troy", a unique nightspot with a restaurant to be handled by Brad), Brad is still somewhat insecure about his dream relationship with Troy, who remains somewhat emotionally distant. Then there's Caroline, Troy's socialite mother. who clearly doesn't regard Brad as good enough for her son, and isn't shy about letting him know it. Add into this mix Aria Shakespeare, an upper-class blonde twink gym bunny Caroline adores and who clearly has an interest in Troy, and Brad's uneasiness is at its peak. Can he trust Troy and be able to count on a future with him? The authors of "Hot Sauce" and other "Romentics" novels set out to make a series of pure romance novels, sort of a gay version of the Harlequin bodice-rippers targeting straight women. In that context, they have succeeded, providing readers don't expect more. There are a lot of sexy and romantic settings, characters you can only dream of being close to, and a predictable plot with little substance. To be fair, the characters are better developed than in their earlier attempts, and the proofreading deficiency of those earlier (self-published) titles are no longer apparent in this first novel published by Warner Books. A pleasant diversion for those looking for an extremely light read.