This is the second book in Jay Northcote’s Housemates series, but the third one that I read. They stand alone well, so it was fine. This one is about Rupert and Josh who meet when they were both stood up. They chat a bit and get to flirting around Josh’s tattoos and Josh asks Rupert if he’d like to see them all. Rupert’s a slightly shy fountain of YES for that prospect. Josh tells him that he can, but that it’s going to cost him. Rupert doesn’t seem to be amongst the uninitiated, but he’s kind of reserved, so you don’t really expect him to follow through with paying Josh for the opportunity presented. However, aside from his initial start at finding out that Josh is an escort, Rupert manages to take it all in stride, or as much as he can having never had such an encounter before.
It was a good night for both of them and Rupert wanted to see Josh again. Josh was quick to keep things business-like. And he continued to do so for their subsequent appointments, however, after some time, the lines began to blur. And you know the rest.
Being an escort was a job for Josh, one which kept a roof over his head, food in his belly, and his name on the university’s roster. He didn’t broadcast it, but he wasn’t ashamed of it either. Getting too cozy with a client would not be on the list of best business practices, but there was definitely something undeniable between Rupert and himself, and that was only the tip of their iceberg of obstacles.
This, like the other two books in the series, this was a quick and enjoyable read. Another thing all three books have in common is the plot formula: Two people come together (quite literally) under a mutually beneficial arrangement that is based on sex. Somewhere along the way they fall for each other, but one of them makes to end the arrangement because of some imbalance where their feelings and expectations are concerned. They spend some time apart, but then one of them throws caution to the wind, things are cleared up and thay get back together, but this time in an official capacity.
It is a formula, but Northcote manages to develop the character’s personalities and circumstances enough that the stories can be appreciated individually. I like that.
I think I liked all the stories equally, but of the three couples, Jez and Mac are my favorite. I wouldn’t mind revisiting any of the couples again, but I especially would like more of Jez and Mac.
