Review - The Flower Arrangement (Pursuit of Love) by K.C. Carmine

A lovely, quick to read novella and a timeless love story of man meeting man after a painful break-up. At 111 pages, this is an effortless read and a warming love story about second changes. Brendan and Hugh are a lovely couple who you wish well, and when they finally get together, after a YEAR of dropped hints and ever-more-obvious bouquets with hidden meanings, sparks fly and the sex is HOT.

Despite the ripped model on the front of the book, it's good to see normal-seeming men getting their happy endings. Brendan is a big bear of a man, and Hugh is a sweetly good-looking hairdresser who hasn't been able to see Brendan's clumsy advances, thinking they were just friends. It's sweet without being saccharine, a great story to curl up with and enjoy by a fire. It's a Hallmark movie in book form (that's a GOOD thing) with enough sizzle to offset the sweetness.

BLURB

After a bitter divorce leaves him heartbroken, Brendan finds solace in running his beloved flower shop. Wary of being burnt again, he vows never to jump into another relationship. Until one day when he visits a hair salon and meets a man with skilled hands and a cheeky smile. Intrigued by this handsome hairdresser, Brendan returns to the salon on the first Wednesday of every month, hoping that their slowly-blooming friendship may one day turn into something more. 

Hugh’s always dreamed of having his own hair salon. But when he finally achieves his goal, he realises there’s something still missing in his life—a man to share it with. After a disastrous date with a client, Hugh vows never to go down that road again. But his resolve begins to crumble when he meets Brendan: six-foot-three of solid muscle, brandishing a large bouquet of flowers. With his kind eyes, chequered shirt, and dad-next-door appeal, Hugh can’t help but doubt Brendan will be interested in his advances. 

Slowly, but surely, Brendan and Hugh emerge from their shells. Sparks fly as their carnal desires are let loose, plunging them headlong into wild pleasures, heady passion, and dizzy highs, all wrapped in a warm cocoon of tenderness and laughter. 

A story of second chances, idiots in love, steamy jacuzzi scenes, and explicit descriptions.

This is a 20k novella introducing the series of stand-alone MM books from the contemporary Pursuit of Love series. Low angst, quick and steamy read. 

The novella was in a giveaway in June 2022 and there is no additional content.