Series Review: Romancelandia by Anne Tenino

 

Title: Too Stupid To Live and Billionaire with Benefits

Author:  Anne Tenino

Publisher/GR Link: Riptide, TSTL, Billionaire

Genre: Contemporary MM, Hum0r

Vice: Romance novels, OFY, a great laugh

Rating: 5 and 4.5 out of 5...Great Reads!

Lock this book up: 4 keys out of 5, sexy is very hot and totally fits the plot

Length: Novels

Satisfaction: HEA and a HUGE smile

Cover Impressions: While I like them both, I prefer the first one.

Best Line: “It isn't true love until someone gets hurt.” 

Synopsis: Book 1- Sam’s a new man. Yes, he’s still too tall, too skinny, too dorky, too gay, and has that unfortunate addiction to romance novels, but he’s wised up. His One True Love is certainly still out there, but he knows now that real life is nothing like fiction. He’s cultivated the necessary fortitude to say “no” to the next Mr. Wrong, no matter how hot, exciting, and/or erotic-novel-worthy he may be.

Until he meets Ian.

Ian’s a new man. He’s pain-free, has escaped the job he hated and the family who stifled him, and is now—possibly—ready to dip his toe into the sea of relationships. He’s going to be cautious, though, maybe start with someone who knows the score and isn’t looking for anything too complicated. Someone with experience and simple needs that largely revolve around the bedroom.

Until he meets Sam.

Sam’s convinced that Ian is no one’s Mr. Right. Ian’s sure that Sam isn’t his type. They can’t both be wrong . . . can they?

Book 2- It’s just a friend thing.

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?

Impressions: I had read the first of Romancelandia when it first came out, and I was saving the second for a gloomy day.  Well, after recovering from minor surgery, I had found that day!  It was no hardship to re-read TSTL before BWB, and so I settled in to reread book #1.  I have always loved the Romance genre, and Tenino has such fun with these tropes and the character of Sam.  I ADORE Sam and Ian!  Their love is so adorable, and I can't get enough of them.  The secondary characters are excellent, and I really felt like I know these guys and their circle.

In Book 2, I was surprised to see Tierney's story, since he was SO unlikable in book 1- well I should not have doubts Tenino for a second!  She made Tierney so understandable, and found in Dalton such a great match, that this story was a joy to read as well.  I loved that this story didn't end when the healing began. Tackling Tierney was a challenge, and Tenino took the time needed for us to see the transformation that he needed and deserved.  I have to admit, seeing more of Sam and Ian was a HUGE bonus!

I will be looking for the next book in this series because I cannot get enough of these guys!

Highly Recommended!!