Kristie J’s review of Model Boyfriend by Jane Harvey-Berrick & Stuart Reardon
Contemporary Romance published by Stuart Reardon Publishing 10 Jul 18
Jane Harvey-Berrick is an auto-buy author for this reviewer. If you haven’t already tried one of her books, you really should! She is amazing. So when she came out with a new book, Undefeated, co-written by Stuart Reardon, I couldn’t wait to read it. And it was so, so good. It was the story of Nick Renshaw, a pro rugby player who had anger issues. He was instructed to work with Anna Scott, a sports psychologist. Though there were sparks, nothing came of it while she was helping him. Troubles got worse for Nick and Anna supported him. Eventually they became much more and were involved, once their working relationship was over. But fate stepped in. They had a lot to overcome, but, this being a romance, they did and the book ended with Nick about to retire.
Model Boyfriend opens soon after. While retirement might have sounded good, Nick is having a very difficult time dealing with it. He is used to rugby being the centre of his world, along with Anna of course, and he is lost as to what to do now. He’s still quite young at 33, though that is old in the very rough and tumble game of rugby. Anna tries to be understanding, and she really is, but Nick is still struggling to find a new purpose in life.
He’s an extremely good looking young man, so when he does a bit of modeling and doesn’t hate it, he decides to try to get into the business. This means heading to New York where the best opportunities are. While Anna is American, her life is now in England, so she stays behind while they try to carry on a long-distance relationship.
This is a summary, but the book is so much more and I love it. Stuart Reardon himself is a Very Attractive former rugby player who transitioned to the world of modelling after his rugby days were over. This brings an absolutely amazing authenticity to the book and makes it even richer than it could have been. The reactions to the difficulty in booking jobs seems so real – probably because it is. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that Mr. Reardon had the same kind of experiences, because they are told and explained very well.
I did get a tad frustrated with Anna at times, though. She has a bit of a martyr complex. She is really hurting at times by missing Nick in general, getting upset when he seemed to change course in his plans, etc., but she refused to be real with him. She didn’t tell him how much she missed him. He is missing her like crazy and at times even wonders if she misses him as much. She is too understanding at times. Her BFF even calls her out on it a few times, but she doesn’t listen; too busy being a martyr, I guess. But for the most part I like her. And I love Nick. He’s a bit clueless and a wee bit selfish at times as to what he’s doing to Anna, but then since she doesn’t say anything, how can he really know?
I’m a huge sports fan and I’ve wondered a number of times how high-profile athletes must struggle with not being in the limelight and having other younger athletes take their place. This book is so honest and real on how their world and their place in it changes. I’m sure many athletes are ready for it, but for others it takes time.
I’m not sure it’s absolutely essential that one reads Undefeated first, but it’s such a great book that I recommend it highly anyway.
Grade: B+
Summary:
What’s it like dating one of the most beautiful men in the world? A man whose face is on every magazine and ad campaign?
Not as much fun as it sounds, as Anna Scott is about to find out.
Retired from rugby at the age of 33, injured and bored, Nick is given the chance to enter the high stakes world of fashion photography as a model.
But behind the glittering façade lies an ugly reality: drugs, alcohol, all the deadly sins, and people willing to sleep their way to the top.
It’s a tough life and tougher on relationships.
Nick needs to learn to navigate the treacherous path quickly or risk losing it all—including the woman who has become his reason for living.
In this glamorous world, there is no room for error. Being a MODEL BOYFRIEND has never been harder.
Can nice guy Nick find his way through, or will he be tempted to risk it all?
Because the one thing he despises is failure.He’s a lot more than a pretty face.
No excerpt available.
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