Wood, Screws, & Nails (Hard Hats: Book 1)

Title:  Wood, Screws, & Nails  (Hard Hats: Book 1)

Authors:  Piper Vaughn  &  Kade Boehme

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  176 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

 

 

Blurb:  Aaron Costa’s summer was all planned. Despite having to remodel the family lake house, it would be a vacation of sorts, and he had every intention of enjoying it—until the friend who was supposed to help him got injured and left him in a lurch. He decides to take the opportunity to bond with his son and hires Julian and his roommate, Malachi, to assist. 

As a broke college student, Malachi could use the money, and spending the summer with Aaron for eye candy sounds like a dream. “Look but don’t touch” becomes his motto. But when Julian starts flaking on his responsibilities and Malachi and Aaron are forced to spend long hours alone together, their mutual attraction is impossible to resist.

 Aaron can’t fight the temptation sexy Malachi presents. But more than their age difference stands in their way, not the least of which is Aaron’s semi-closeted status and the fact that he’s never openly discussed his sexuality with his son. He has no idea how Julian will react when he learns his father is not only gay, he’s also dating his best friend.

 

Review:  I really enjoyed this story. It was funny, sweet and deliciously hot.

I liked that while it talks about an awkward situation, a love affair between a man and his son’s best friend, everyone is an adult – the young men are both twenty-one and the father is thirty-seven. So while it was hot and slightly naughty it didn’t read as creepy. 

Aaron is a good man. Simple, a bit of a brooder, he takes care of his family and runs a successful contracting/construction business. He has always been discreet about his sexuality and having never found anyone who lasted long enough to make coming out worth the hassle and possible repercussions of boldly coming out. 

Aaron got his best friend pregnant when they were teenagers and while they resisted the parental pressure to marry they remained best friends and co-parents. While he missed out on a lot things during the typically carefree days of his youth Aaron has no regrets about choosing to parent rather than play. The one thing that Aaron has never been able to be honest with Julian about is his homosexuality. He isn’t closeted, but he keeps his sexuality an open secret. He’s never even officially come out to his staunchly Catholic parents. His lack of communication in this area is coming back to bite him in the ass when things get very uncomfortable between them all as the sexual attraction sparks between Aaron and Malachi. 

Malachi is a sweet, kind man, a hard worker and a truly good person. His fiery Brazilian temperament was so much fun to watch when his temper was up. Malachi is best friends with his roommate, Julian, they’ve shared a place for the last three years of college and he jumps at the chance to make some good money over the summer helping Julian’s dad with renovations. Growing up helping his carpenter father gives him the training needed for the job and his strong work ethic make him invaluable to Aaron. 

Julian has been spoiled his whole life. He is a good guy, funny and sweet with a good heart. His parents covering his expenses as long as he maintained his GPA has allowed him to focus exclusively on studying and partying. Working for his dad over the summer is one of his first “real” jobs. When he starts to slack off on the job and seems more interested in partying than in doing the work he signed on for it upsets the balance between the three men. And also creates the alone time and close working conditions that make resisting the attraction between Aaron and Malachi.

The sexual tension between Aaron and Malachi is palpable. Slowly ratcheting up with every covert glance and moment of flirty banter. Their reasons for resisting the pull toward each other are serious and life altering, but the chemistry between them is explosive and when they finally succumb the results are delightfully steamy. 

This story is so much fun. The characters and relationships are well developed and even though this is on the shorter side I felt that it was complete. I was rooting for Aaron and Malachi to get together and then stay together and for everything to be alright with Julian.

A great book. Recommended for those who are looking for a lot of sweaty sexy time, humor and a hot construction worker with a young beautiful college guy fantasy realized in a romantic, charming and loving way.

 Reviewed by Nina