Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews

To Have and To Hostage by G.A. Hauser
Linden Bay Romance
Contemporary
Full Length, M/M
Review by Chamomile

When he was taken hostage by a strange man Michael never expected he’d lose his heart…

Michael Vernon is a rich, spoiled brat with a string of meaningless lovers and an entourage of superficial friends. With no direction in life, he wastes his days spending his father’s money and drowning himself in liquor…until he crashes into a man even more desperate than himself, Jarrod Hunter.

Jarrod Hunter grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Out of work, about to be evicted, and unable to afford his next meal, Jarrod thought he’d reached the end of his rope and was determined to take his life. Then fate intervened delivering him Michael Vernon. Why not take him home, tie him up, and hold him hostage to get the money he needs?

Two men from two different worlds…one dangerous game. Trapped together in close quarters, Jarrod and Michael find themselves sharing their deepest thoughts and fighting an undeniable attraction for each other. As the hours tick by, the captor becomes captivated by his victim and the victim begins to bond with his abductor. This wake up call might prove to be just what Michael needs to set himself free. To Have and to Hostage…sometimes you have to hit bottom before realizing that what you need is standing right in front of you.

♥ ♥ ♥

I could never have imagined two so very different men getting together, but wow! The pairing of Michael and Jarrod is ironic, cathartic and intense.

I liked Jerrod right away, with his electric blue eyes and blond hair. He's pretty desperate at this point and I felt compassion for his predicament. Jerrod is sweet and kind, the kind of man that just tries to do the right thing, but he gets overwhelmed and takes a wrong turn. I think he would have most likely veered off that bad path and back to the right one if it weren't for Michael's high-and-mighty taunting.

Michael is not a likeable person. Rich and spoiled, he thinks he is entitled to live off of daddy's millions. That's bad enough, but he takes true pleasure in talking down to others simply to prove his superiority and revels in the opportunity to humiliate his so-called friends. By the time of their first meeting, I wanted Jerrod to shoot him! But then...I realized Michael could be redeemed.

It's not immediate, which I think gave his metamorphosis more credibility. Michael has to come to terms with the person he is and why, and the despicable monster he has become. Jerrod's influence during their time together makes him want to face his demons, for the first time. I would have thought that the extreme nature of their forced co-habitation — and the intimacy that takes place — would have been enough for his epiphany, but it isn’t. This fact enhanced the story so much for me because he needs more wake-up calls for him to truly grow. But Jerrod is the starting point for Michael and I loved this aspect of Michael's journey and the romance between the two.

Jerrod and Michael together are tantalizing and tormenting at the same time, as they try to find their way to one another. All sorts of good things happen toward the end, eventualities I was rooting for, which just makes it better and better. Another winner from G. A. Hauser that I enthusiastically recommend!