Honeymoon Sweet: Out & About Book 2, Allison Temple

Doug and Tripp were both on vacation, but neither expected to end up alone.  Tripp's effort to save a relationship that he couldn't accept was no good to keep and Doug's effort to salvage something from his life before it seemingly fell apart came together and gave them both a chance at the kind of happiness they'd always wanted.

I liked Doug's sensitivity and how most of his perspective throughout the story focused on accepting and coming to terms with the reality of his relationship, how it ended, and what he wanted for the future.  Along the way it was easy to fall in love with Tripp and his enthusiasm, understanding, and authenticity.  Tripp's perspective was a bit...not shallow, but not too deep either because he didn't really realize the truth about his own behaviors until his best friend pointed it out to him just before the grand gesture was made, and not by him either.  They eventually did get to the place where they should be, it just took a bit for all the pieces to come together.

There was a definite slow burn in terms of actual physically doing the deed and I liked that.  It would have felt unnatural and unbelievable for them to jump into bed before their heads were in the right place.  When they did get there it was suitably steamy.  Sometimes it got in the way of having the mature discussions about their future that they needed, but that was down to Tripp and his moments of cowardice.  Doug was all in and I loved that about him, but mostly that he didn't let the surprise at the end of the cruise set him on a path away from Tripp.  The writing kind of suggested that it did once they went home, but it was actually pretty obvious that his physical responses were proof of his commitment to Tripp and not his past.  One exception would be the cafe scene, that was a little disjointed for me, but it got Doug moving so it wasn't all bad.

This story had a soft and cute vibe all the way throughout and while not super deep, it was deep enough to be believable, that they'd actually have a real shot at a forever happiness.  It fit with the first story and sets a good tone for the series to continue from here as well.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Doug is a cheese pizza kind of guy. A honeymoon cruise around the Caribbean is the most adventurous thing he’s ever done. Going on that honeymoon alone is unthinkable, but here he is, with a luxury suite and a broken heart.

Tripp is a hopeless romantic. He’s in a sinking relationship that’s been taking on water for months. He’d throw in the towel if he had one, but he’s naked and locked out of his room.

No one should be on a cruise alone, and Tripp has a simple solution: he and Doug will pretend to be husbands and enjoy everything a week of sea and sun has to offer. But as the days and nights heat up, can a cheese pizza kind of guy be brave enough to give love a second chance?