Behind the Curtain

Title:  Behind the Curtain

Author:  Amy Lane

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  266 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

 

Blurb:  Dawson Barnes recognizes his world is very small and very charmed. Running his community college theater like a petty god, he and his best friend, Benji know they’ll succeed as stage techs after graduation. His father adores him, Benji would die for him, and Dawson never doubted the safety net of his family, even when life hit him below the belt.

But nothing prepared him for falling on Jared Emory’s head.

Aloof dance superstar Jared is a sweet, vulnerable man and Dawson’s life suits him like a fitted ballet slipper. They forge a long-distance romance from their love of the theater and the magic of Denny’s. At first it’s perfect: Dawson gets periodic visits and nookie from a gorgeous man who “gets” him—and Jared gets respite from the ultra-competitive world of dancing that almost consumed him.

That is until Jared shows up sick and desperate and Dawson finally sees the distance between them concealed painful things Jared kept inside. If he doesn’t grow up—and fast—his “superstar” might not survive his own weaknesses. That would be a shame, because the real, fragile Jared that Dawson sees behind the curtain is the person he can see spending his life with.

Review:  This book for me was a smooth relaxing read, a total chill out. Filled with love, fun, friendship, devotion with a little heartache and fear. The characters are a great bunch of individuals who are loyal and supportive to each other.

Dawson is an adorable, clumsy and devoted friend. He works as Stage tech whilst at college, he has a fantastic relationship with his father, not so much with his mother but that doesn’t get him down. He has a best buddy Benji, a friendship developed in kindergarten. They love and appreciate each other “brother’s of the heart”. Although young, Dawson’s innocence is ripe but he has a strong heart and pays attention to his superiors giving him a maturity, to give love and assurance to those around him who need it most.

Jared is dedicated, elegant and a handsome star of the dance world. He appears aloof and controlled, although deep inside he’s a fragile lonely soul wanting to be loved with sensuality, trust and meaning. Jared has had to put dance first, not just for success but to have something to love and live for. Disowned by his parents for his love of dance and sexuality, then ripped off by a former agent and let down by boyfriends, it all leaves Jared undervaluing himself as a person and his behaviour unpredictable.

When Jared becomes sick, he knows the person to turn to and in spite of his self deprecation there’s something in Dawson he knows he can trust, but only to a point.  Jared feels a need to hide parts of his life from Dawson as if he is ashamed, this places Dawson in awkward situations preventing him from fully helping Jared when he needs him the most. Dawson does all he can to reach out to Jared, willing him to trust and believe that what they have is real, worth fighting for and to accept that changing your dreams is not failing, it’s growing.

A comfort read of fun, love and devoted friendship that had me hooked all the way.

Reviewed by Teddy