Brook Street: Fortune Hunter (Brook St. Trilogy) [Kindle Edition]

Ava March continues her sexy m/m historical trilogy with this second installment, featuring the fortune-hunting Julian Parker. Julian knows he prefers his lovers to be men, but he also knows that a rich wife will be his only chance at the kind of life he wants.

Julian grew up as one of the poor relations in his family. His dad gambled and whored the family's money away, forcing them to leave London for America years ago. Now he wants to restore his family name in London and his is counting on his cousin Benjamin to help introduce him back into society.

At his first ball, Julian meets Oscar. The young man is rich, generous and kind. The two become fast friends. And Oscar invites Julian to stay with him as a houseguest. It doesn't take long for the men to figure out they're both interested in an affair. And in no time, they are burning up the sheets.

The sex scenes are really hot... and they're wonderfully realistic. Oscar is impossible not to like. He is so sweet and genuine. He deserves Julian's love and respect. But of course, those pesky marriage plans don't include him.

I liked the story, though I could see Julian's big mistake coming a mile away --and it was no fun sitting there, waiting for him to make it. The HEA came in the form of an Epilogue, which made it feel a little rushed. I wish we would have had a little more time to savor their reconciliation.

I'm looking forward to the final story in the trilogy! Almost 4 stars.

Good lord did this book pull at my heartstrings. I enjoyed the other two books in the series (read the last one first, and then the first...) but this one is by far my favorite. I am a sucker for characters like Oscar who are looking for acceptance from someone for who they are. Oscar had me melting the first time Julian meets him.

Half of the book I wanted to smack Julian for this actions. It was expected, yes, but I still hated that it was happening when Oscar so clearly cared for him and vice versa. Ava March's characters are beautifully written and become tangible to the readers. I felt as if I was right there alongside Oscar, watching him watch Julian ignoring him at the ball. Feeling his pain when he is betrayed. The details in the setting were fantastic as well. Nothing is left out.

I can't say you need to read this series in order, but you do see the different relationships progress as most characters in the book are in the others. But I am glad I finished with this one because I don't think it could get better.

I just wish there were more to read about Oscar and Julian.

Ava March's Brook Street: Fortune Hunter is a beautifully detailed Regency romance that is deliciously steamy and sexy. Penniless and untitled, Julian Parker is counting on his good looks and family connections to snare a wealthy wife. His newfound friendship with the wealthy Oscar Woodhaven assures his place in society, but will their love affair derail his marriage plans?

Julian and Oscar are delightful protagonists that are well-developed and immensely appealing. Coming for two divergent backgrounds, both men are ultimately searching for the same thing. Someone to love them for who they are not their bank accounts. However, both men need the time to mature and come to terms with who they are before they can have a successful relationship.

Oscar is a sweet and very likeable young man whose generosity is well-known among his friends and acquaintances. His loneliness and social isolation add to his naiveté and innocence and he eagerly accepts Julian's friendship. He quickly opens his home, his bed and his heart to Julian.

Julian is also a wonderfully developed character whose affable façade masks his less than desirable characteristics. While he is not a malicious man, his laziness and selfishness unintentionally deeply wound the more tenderhearted Oscar. It takes a lot of hard work on his part, but in the end, he marvelously redeems himself and saves his relationship with Oscar.

Brook Street: Fortune Hunter is a fast-paced and engrossing story. Ava March brings a great deal of depth and substance but very little angst to this second installment of her Brook Street trilogy. It is an enjoyable romance that is filled with emotion and plenty of hot man on man action that fans of male/male historical romances are sure to enjoy.

Review copy received via NetGalley.