Sandy M’s review of At the Pleasure of the President (Perfect Gentlemen, Book 5) by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake
Contemporary Romance published by Black Oak Books 9 Apr 19
When I chose this book to review – all because I like the title – I had no idea it was the fifth and final book in the Perfect Gentlemen series. Huge kudos to the authors for making this story seamless with all the characters involved. I had no idea other stories had come before, and all those characters didn’t bother me at all – something that usually does grate on me a bit. But everything is handled just right in this book, which makes me want to start at the very beginning. I plan to do that soon.
Zach Hayes is running for President of the United States. He’s worked his whole life toward that goal. But the polls are showing him behind enough that there’s not enough time to do anything more to bridge that gap. He and his press secretary, Elizabeth, are making plans for a future together, Zach and his wife calling it quits, because Joy is the typical political wife. Theirs is not a love match. But it seems fate steps in and Joy is shot and killed; thus, the American people sweep Zach into the Oval Office on a wave of emotion after he’s buried his wife.
There has to be a bit of the back story here that’s been discussed in previous books, now that I think back on this. There’s suspicion Zach could not be Zachary Hayes, and thus an entire Russian conspiracy comes out of the woodwork. His friends, whom he’s known for years, gather round even more when one of their own is killed in a plane crash. It even comes to light later that Maddox himself was being blackmailed by the Russian mob before his death. The more Zach refuses to back off his plan for an international pipeline, the more danger he and those he loves are in. He even has his doubts about Elizabeth – could she be a spy? After all the revelations of the way he’s been manipulated, he sees betrayal in every corner.
I like how these friends stick together, watch out for each other, even in the most dangerous time of their lives. Zach’s dilemma of believing in Elizabeth is well done. Normally I don’t care for either hero or heroine accusing the other of some betrayal, but this time I didn’t mind. Zach is the POTUS and he has to be careful. But even the President succumbs to love in the end. The authors do a great job of showing the years-long infiltration of Russia into American politics, revealing their thirst for world power. As well, it’s a job well done as these friends figure everything out and purge the government of such evil.
Most importantly, I enjoyed every character in this story. I didn’t get lost with so many roaming the White House, and I especially like the moments in the bunker and the groveling that has to be done. I am going to have fun starting at the beginning and seeing each of them in their own element in their stories of the series. I have my own life-long friends who would do anything for me if I asked, so I had a special affinity to all of these characters.
Grade: A
Summary:
Decades ago, ambitious Zack Hayes set his sights on the White House. He’s worked his whole life to become the leader of the free world—attending the right schools, marrying the perfect bride—all to aid his campaign. He didn’t realize someone behind the scenes has been pulling the strings to manipulate Zack and the country he loves into a dangerous position—one he will risk his life to wrench free from. The one thing he can’t risk is Elizabeth Matthews.
From the moment she met Zack Hayes, Liz felt the connection. Serving as his campaign manager and then his press secretary, she accepted that her love for him would remain unrequited. Still, she’d thought they were friends, so when he pushed her aside, she felt the stab in her heart. And when she realizes he’s done it to protect her, nothing will stop Liz from standing by his side—not even the men who would use her as a weapon against him.
As shocking secrets are revealed, Zack and Liz find succor and passion in each other’s arms. When the ultimate villain shows his face, Zack may have to choose between his country and the woman he loves…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
