Guest Review: Relentless Passion & Relentless Love by A.J. Llewellyn

A.J. Llewellyn
Relentless Passion
Ellora’s Cave, 2010
Goodreads | Author's website | Buy link

Backblurb:
Twins Alex and Zeca love to switch identities. It's harmless fun until Alex wants to date a hot tourist visiting their home of Capri, and asks Zeca to take his place on a date with Alex's current beau, Antonio. After a day in Antonio's arms-followed by a long, lusty weekend in his bed during a trip to Naples-Zeca discovers switching places with Alex isn't so harmless after all. Especially when he realizes he's falling hard for his brother's boyfriend.
While struggling with his feelings for Antonio, consoling his semi-celebrity father (who's having woman troubles) and trying not to upset Alex (who might be in love with Antonio . . . or his tourist tryst . . . or maybe the neighbor lady), Zeca wonders how any of them will make it through all the relationship woes with hearts intact.
As Antonio says, "Love has a way of fixing things itself."

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Genre & Keywords:
M/M, Romance, Twins, Mistaken identity, Food, Love, Holiday
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 3 out of 3 flames
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Reviewed by Lis

Twins. Oh the fun you can have as twins. Dress the same, or as Zeca and Alex occasionally do: take each other’s identities. It’s a little harmless fun. That is until Zeca, who always had a thing for Alex’s current beau – Antonio – falls for the man. Suddenly switching identities is not as much fun anymore.

There is many a story out there about twins, but none are as fun as Relentless Passion. Alex and Zeca are identical in body, but in character they are as different as can be. Zeca is sweet, caring, considerate, introvert and a romantic. Alex is arrogant, egotistical and selfish. He wants it all and he isn’t above blaming Zeca for all the things that go wrong. He is the drama queen of the family, a bit like their crazy father Toppy, a former actor turned restaurant owner.

Relentless Passion is the story of Zeca and what happens when he falls for Antonio while posing as Alex. The story is mingled with little adventures, Zeca’s dreams, Antonio’s macho overprotectiveness, Toppy’s antics and a romance so sweet it will charm the pants right off you!

The story is well written, the story is fun and sweet with sometimes a serious interlude. The characters are filled out and have their own voice and characteristics. Antonio and Zeca are very sweet together. I loved the boys meaning of “relentless” in this story. If you want to know, go pick up the book!
Relentless Passion is the book you want to read when you want to get away from all the heavy stuff. Be warned though, it will make you want to go on holiday to Capri.
~

A.J. Llewellyn
Relentless Love
Ellora’s Cave, 2011
Goodreads | Author's website | Buy link

Backblurb:
Sequel to Relentless Passion

Alex has already lost one lover to his brother Zeca. Now his fickle shenanigans have driven Hugh, his other lover, away as well. Alex desperately wants what his brother has, an intensely passionate relationship, so Zeca shares their father Toppy's advice-you have to love before you can be relentless. Good advice, if Alex weren't so afraid to follow it.
When Toppy's own love life gets a little, um . . . strange, he escapes to St. Tropez. He takes Alex with him, who finds himself face-to-face with Hugh. Too bad Hugh is already lip-to-lip with someone else. But Alex has come too far to turn back now.
The game is on, and while Toppy gets up to his own sexual shenanigans under the St. Tropez sun, Alex will do anything to get back into Hugh's life . . . his bed . . . his body. He'll first have to learn to face his fears. Only then can he find relentless love.

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Genre & Keywords:
M/M, Romance, Twins, Mistaken identity, Food, Love, Holiday
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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Heat level: 3 out of 3 flames
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Reviewed by Lis

Relentless Love is the story of Alex and Hugh and is set a couple of months after Zeca’s story. Hugh was the reason Alex asked Zeca to switch identities and they were in love. When it came time for Hugh to leave on the cruise ship, he jumped overboard and risked death by shark to get back to Alex. However, after a few months all is not so well and after a misunderstanding Hugh left.
Alex is not happy at all. In fact, he is even worse than he was before. So when Toppy is busted by his batshit crazy lover Angelina, they leave for a business holiday to where Hugh lives.

As in Relentless Passion this story is full of antics, fun, romance and some seriously crazy stuff. It’s funny and sweet story with the occasional serious interlude.
The characters are distinctive and I loved how they have their own personality and temperament. Hugh and Alex may not be my favorite characters – too much drama and crying going on their – but they were made for each other!

Again, this is a book you want to read when you want to get away from it all and phantom yourself on holiday with hot studs in the warm weather and wicked drinks!
~