11/23/2020
An eccentric investor pushes two coworkers through a series of strange tests in this effervescent gay romance from Fielding (the Bureau series). Teddy Spenser, a product designer at Chicago startup Reddyflora, grows increasingly frustrated with the clunky technological models of his work nemesis, the humorless but attractive software engineer Romeo Blue. With financing running low, Reddyflora CEO Lauren Wu pins her hopes on tastemaker Joyce Alexander, who tentatively agrees to fund the project contingent on an in-person meeting in Seattle. Lauren foists the trip onto Teddy and Romeo—and in travelling together, Teddy begins to see Romeo’s tender side. The unconventional Joyce is not content with board room presentations and demands Teddy and Romeo prove themselves through three tests: the pair are sent on a hike (ended early when Teddy sprains his ankle), whisked to an escape room (which bamboozles them, but sparks a make-out session), and thrust into cooking a romantic, and ultimately disastrous, Valentine’s meal for Joyce. Certain they have failed, they receive a surprising ultimatum from Joyce which challenges Teddy and Romeo’s fragile new relationship. Sharp dialogue and well-paced plot make for a genuinely delightful reading experience. This is a sweet treat for fans of contemporary gay romances. (Jan.)
