Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Book Review: "An Unexpected Kind of Love" by Hayden Stone

Hayden Stone's An Unexpected Kind of Love is a sweet, romantic, steamy love story that kind of undid me.

Most of Aubrey’s life is focused on running his small London bookshop. The stresses of keeping his family’s struggling business alive are overwhelming, but it gives him less time to dwell on his loneliness since his long-term relationship with his boyfriend ended.

When Blake, an American actor filming in London, comes into the shop, Aubrey is flustered, both by his handsomeness and Blake’s desire to return a poetry book because of the poet’s antics online. Their next unexpected encounter, in a trailer on the film set, ignites a fire in both of them.

When the film crew asks to use Aubrey’s shop as a location for the film, at first he wants nothing to do with it. But when it means he'll be paid money he so desperately needs, and give him the chance to be around Blake, he reluctantly agrees. The two begin falling hard for each other, even though they know ultimately, Blake will need to return to America.

Despite their obvious connection, Aubrey can’t seem to believe he’s worthy of Blake, and Blake isn’t quite ready to be publicly out, due to how it might affect his career and his relationship with his family. Will they have a chance at happiness or will obstacles doom it?

This reminded me a tiny bit of Notting Hill (I may have uttered Julia Roberts’ “I’m just a girl…” speech a few times) but it has a charm and a spark all its own. I loved the chemistry between Blake and Aubrey, I loved the banter with the supporting characters, and I was there for all of the steam!!

An Unexpected Kind of Love was my monthly buddy read with my friend Louis, and we both loved it—and it made both of us cry!!

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