Leisa RayvenMister Romance (Masters of Love)

A phenom and new-to-me author, Leisa Rayven fills 452 pages with a distinctive and unusual take on romance revolving around an escort scenario. What feels at times to be a bit OTT and an almost impossible to categorize romance, I chose to label it fantasy-fairytale. But whatever, Mister Romance is so much more than romantic comedy, showcasing Rayven’s artistic cleverness in creating a magically unique storyline that is unlike anything I’ve been fortunate enough to read before.So, let’s get started . . . . Once upon a time, an enigma named Max Riley started a business peddling romance under the guise of the alter-ego, Mr. Romance. If you can afford his outrageously steep prices, Mr. Romance will bring your dreams to life — unless it involves anything below his waistline. That’s where he draws the line, and the no-sex-no-touching rule goes into effect. Business is booming and Mr. Romance is getting great reviews for his performances.“What’s he providing to these rich housewives of NYC that their million-dollar lifestyles and powerful husbands aren’t? That’s the big question. And if you figure out the answer, it’s going to be one hell of a story.”And then one day a nosy investigative reporter slithers into Mr. Romance’s life looking for “the big one” – NO, NOT THAT BIG ONE – the big story, the one Eden Tate needs desperately, or she’ll likely find herself slinging drinks and wiping down tables if she can’t meet the deadline her boss set. When she happens upon a tip that could help expose the elusive Mr. Romance, a plan begins to take shape. It could be a game-changer for her career. I was cheering for her success because curiosity was about to kill this kitty! But Max is smooth, and he had her number from the start. He has his own plan to counter the delectable Ms. Tate’s scam to uncover his secrets, and ultimately opening him up to possible scandal. GAME ON!From this point on, don’t count on anything being what you think it might be — most likely you’d be wrong. Believe me, frustration and irritation will set-in before the answers to, “Hey, what’s the deal?” are gradually revealed. But I assure you that the answers carry a wow factor well-worth the wait, and packs a punch that comes at a most unexpected time.“Everyone wants to feel special, whether we admit it or not. And loving without limits and allowing ourselves to be loved in return is what life’s all about. Or at least, what it should be about. Everything else just gets in the way.”Eden Tate is not an easy woman to understand. The girl is unpretentious, could care less about fashion or being socially acceptable, and is happy in her own skin. She’s loaded down with resentment and pain from her past. That makes it difficult for anyone to get close to her. She doesn’t trust, certainly doesn’t believe in love, and she’s only looking for a sexual release – no commitment. I liked her in spite of her faults.Max is a maddening chameleon, who so easily changes into many different characters. He’s paid to tell lies and role play. He’s a man well-versed in the art of romance – but too busy for a relationship of his own. Until the author decides it’s time for you to know, you’re never sure who he really is or why he chose the lifestyle he did. On the other hand, he’s charming, orderly and logical, intelligent and highly observant. The problem is you just never know what or who to expect from him.“Sex is for the body. Romance is for the soul.”Max is sure that he can give Eden a dream or two of her own if she’ll only let go of her past and allow it to happen. She never expected the unexpected. And neither love or relationship ever crossed her mind. The battle is on in a tug-of-war between cynic and romantic. It’s sex vs. romance and lust vs. love. There is no denying the sizzling chemistry or their attraction to one another. The lines are now blurred by something yet unnamed that has begun to take hold between these two adversaries. But with Eden’s need to complete the assignment on Mr. Romance, and the effects that could have on Max’s life, the story becomes even more complicated. Fighting their individual fears and tormentors, the differences between them, the good, the bad and the ugly, are what drives this story.“Eyes speak truths, mouths refuse to, and liars always find a reason to glance away.”Not only is this masterpiece more than a little fun to read, I can’t even come close to putting into words how much enjoyment and pleasure I got from its treasure trove of goodies. I felt a whole lot of feel-goods, along with some heavy-heartedness as well. The whole shebang is a smorgasbord of delights rolled into one epic story.I’m totally hooked! I highly recommend that you get hooked, too. For a fantastic good time, make a date with Mr. Romance now.

This review was originally posted at: NDPBookReview.comCheck me into an asylum because I am about to put sticky notes on everyone's FOREHEADS! What's written on said sticky notes, you ask?... 😏One word: Max.Err. Merr. Gurrd. The delicious conflict! Eden Tate has bestowed upon herself the great challenge of busting Mister Romance (aka Max) and his con. This is no ordinary man, but a man who role-plays and cajoles women into paying $5,000 per dream date. Talk about an actor extraordinaire!Eden is desperate for a single opportunity at success... Although, success is the last thing she sees in her bleak future because her typical day job consists of writing articles like this:YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 2-YEAR-OLD CHAIN SMOKER!THIS OLD MAN TOOK A BATH AND NOW LOOKS LIKE THIS! WHAT'S HIS SECRET?Ding ding ding! You guessed correctly! Eden writes click bait. She's destined for more, of course, but until the rumors of Mister Romance flooded her ears she was just a mushroom in the shade of her douche-boss's tree.Speaking of the douche-boss, he wants to fire Eden. Well, unless she can write him the best exposé known to humankind about this maniac man of love.Maniac man of love... I like this. Can we share a cell? 😏 #NomDeLOCKMEUPAnd this Mister Romance?... An exposé of this magnitude could change Eden's career. Sure, she'd expose him and all his clients, his secrets, and - well - ruin him in the process. Ain't no thang! People do it all the time!But Max is no con... and especially not with Eden."Woah. Never in my life have I seen a man look at me like that. As if the pain I'm feeling is being felt twice over by him... There's no going back from this. Once we've taken this final step I'll be ruined for all other men."Swoon. Sigh.Wait, is Max just faking this romantic connection to try and convince Eden she shouldn't publish her article? Because (of course) he knows about the article. Their "arrangement" is completely transparent from the start... but emotions start to blur the lines between right and wrong.As Eden learns more about Max and the meaning behind his... err-work... she succumbs to her own emotions and feels like maybe she shouldn't write a piece that will destroy him. However, an exclusive exposé is what her boss is expecting.What's a girl to do?Well, unfortunately Eden has no idea what to do (which got her in this mess in the first place). But she is not alone because Max, too, is conflicted. Max starts breaking his rules for her. He stops seeing his other clients. He focuses all of his attention on her happiness. Pretty soon he starts looking at Eden like she's the reason the sun rises.Sounds like love, eh?"Everything in my life is optional, except you. You're essential..."Oh yes, this love is raw, primal, and deep. But both Eden and Max are twirling around this limbo of lust, desire, and passion and it's camouflaging their proverbial lines in the sand. Max is a con... right? Eden does not love this man, he's a fake... or is he?The exposé, the doubt, the conflict. Oooo Leisa Rayven this book is immaculate! Eden transforms from a cynic to someone who believes in romance. Max simultaneously begins to show Eden all sides of his personality, and sets sail to the pain and secrets he has been harboring. There are now no secrets between these two... but did Max open up too soon? After all, Eden's head is - and always has been - orbiting her article. Methinks that for the first time ever, Eden is going to hate doing the one thing she loves: writing the truth."He stands and pulls me to my feet, and then he cups my face with both hands and kisses me so deeply, I almost believe everything will be ok..."Leisa Rayven. Staaahp.I was a sheet of metal in Leisa's hands; bending, folding, flexing. She sculpted me, then flattened me, only to contort me once more.After being emotionally fatigued from Max and Eden's stresses, I snapped in two. But somehow, someway, Leisa Rayven welded my broken pieces back together so I could withstand the ever growing tension.I. have. never. read. a. book. like. this.Every page is a new juxtaposition to untangle. The layers of Max slowly peel away to unveil a brilliantly flawed man with a heart of gold.Mister Romance caused me so much anguish and I willing walked towards my imminent doom, but right at the point where I was crying in pain, Leisa channeled all of my negative juju into a concentrated prism of hope... and I laughed. I LAUGHED. I ugly-cry-laughed and my heart ached with pure vehemence. I was flipped head over heels and my negative emotions instantaneously became bewilderment, and desire. *snort* Desire for more of this cyclic torture!Ummm yespleasethankyou!

I do love a book that makes me laugh. Mr Romance had me smiling and giggling in equal measure.Eden Tate is the kind of girl I wish I had been in my younger days. She’s funny, sassy, knows what she wants in life i.e. an amazing job, a great time with her friends and lots of peen.She also has Nannabeth. And I really really wish I had a Nannabeth with a pet duck called Moby. She stole the book.In order to get said amazing job Eden is looking for a scoop of a story. She is hot on the trail of Mister Romance, the sexy male escort who will role play your fantasy for a cute price. I’ll take the Adam Levine fantasy please and thank you.Along comes Max or is it Kieran to help her write the story of Mr R.I did think the story line was ingenious but I think it could have been so much better.I will always believe in the swoon and the happy ever after.

It was well told and not as predictable as some. Liked the characters they were believable. I would ree omens this book

I really enjoyed reading this, although the ending was a bit predictable. It's a fun book though, definitely an easy read that takes your mind off day to day life!

That was the best book ever!!!I'm not going to spoil it! You have to read to agree?Deserved 5 stars wish I could give it more!

Mister Romance is by new-to-me author Leisa Rayven. This book was listed a few times in a book recommendation thread on another site for being a slow burn romance. The other category was enemies to lovers, but that wasn't really the case here, but it was certainly a slow, but oh so hot, burn…..The premise of this book grabbed my attention from the first. An escort that fulfils the romantic fantasies of women, who can afford him, by taking them out on dates that are just out of this world. A big plus was that his services were not physically sexual, it is all role-playing with nothing more than possibly a kiss or a not so intimate touch. It’s all about making a woman feel desired and special, rather than the physical. I’ll admit the thought of a ‘full service’ escort as a romantic lead squicks me a bit. Simply because I don’t think I’d ever go there. The only exception is Julian from LH Cosway’s Fauxmance, but even that is a special case because well, I don’t want to spoil anything, just accept my advice that if you haven’t read Cosway’s Showmance & Fauxmance you don’t know what you are missing!Ok, back on point…. So my expectations were for a good read and a really interesting story. Perhaps some laughs, definitely some angst, and I knew (hoped) it would be hot, but basically a light and ‘feel good’ read.I could not have been more wrong! Mister Romance is a cerebrally sensual exploration of romance and the human condition. I haven’t been this mentally and emotionally seduced by a new book in a long time!! There is not much actual sex, apart from a bit of a dry hump, nothing happens until the last 25% of the novel, but you know what? I didn’t even notice! For me, it felt like the characters were going at it for the entire book. This author didn't need the physical act to make it one of the hottest stories I've read in a long time.Mister Romance resonated with me on so many levels. I could empathise with Eden and recognised a lot of myself in her and her situation; and as for Max whose heart wouldn’t bleed for him? Special mention goes to Moby. That scene on Nannabeth’s roof with him and Max doing pushups and laps around the pool – cuteness overload!!It takes a special skill to write a book such as this; to make a story so emotionally intense without making it heavy or depressing. It is being able to blend the almost exhaustively passionate and emotional scenes with a dash of humour, and wonderful secondary characters that allow the story to lighten in a smooth and natural way. The result is a rollercoaster of sensation, but one that doesn’t leave you feeling emotionally spent. I’ve only come across a few authors over the years that can successfully do this, but when it is done well, it’s an experience that can sometimes change you on some level, but at the very least it’s one heck of a ride!Mister Romance met my initial expectations and then threw them out the window as it went beyond anything I could have predicted. This was my first Leisa Rayven book, but if her others are anything like Mister Romance, it certainly won’t be my last!