First of all, I need to say this is book three in a series, and though I have not read either of the other books, I had no problem reading this as a standalone. That all being said, I now want to go back and read books one and two, so if anything, this one will pique readers’ interest in the full series.
This is Tam’s story. Tam’s the Sassy Boyz dance group’s slender, wiry, beautiful choreographer. Tam’s also quiet, introverted, and scared. So very scared. He’s just gone out on his own after living at the Prism Center rehab where he was sent after this third prostitution arrest. The prostitution was simply to put food in his belly, and once in a while, a roof over his head after escaping to the streets from a sexual abusive home situation. Tam is also femme—wearing makeup, sexy underwear, and rocking his 5-inch heels—especially the ones with the red soles!

One night he meets a very good-looking biker in the basement laundry room. Who knew someone else would do laundry late at night—and in his underwear no less? Driver is turtle-sitting for one of his best friends while he works to get enough money for he and his cycle to hit the road again. He might squeeze in a trip to see his grandparents first, but there’s definitely not going to be trip to the cemetery to see his parents’ and little brother’s gravesites. Too much guilt for their deaths has kept him away for over ten years.

These are only brief character sketches, but it’s easy to see that these men are ripe for love—both damaged emotionally, both in need of that missing puzzle piece that will make them whole. It’s a long slow, angst-filled journey to healing—for both of them—but readers who stick with the story will be very pleased they did.

I liked the character-driven plot, the emotional upheaval of finding someone who clicks, and the back stories—especially Tam’s—which really gave a good picture of their characters and their current motivations. Driver spends all his time running, whereas Tam spends his time working with his therapist, socializing with his friends (who he appreciates having), and trying to move forward so that someday he can have a full and happy relationship with another man that includes not only emotional love, but physical love as well.

I’m not a huge fan of angst, especially self-driven inner angst and Driver was loaded with it. The author also used the tool of internalized pain repetition—the same arguments with the same answers ad infinitum. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Driver was the epitome of this adage. And though he was good at the doing—running—he was better at the thinking about it, rehashing it, and wallowing in his self-pity. That took a good chunk of the story, so much so, I wanted to get out the red pen and get rid of about a hundred pages.

Tam, on the other hand? I wanted to take him home with me. He was struggling and he had his internal monologues as well, but nothing like the monotonous self-arguments Driver had. His character was appealing in a multitude of ways—from his recovery from sexual abuse and later prostitution, to his outward appearance and his taste in clothing, to his talent as a dancer and choreographer, and ultimately, to his ability to bounce back and stay positive in the face of what sometimes seemed to be insurmountable hurdles.

If you enjoy femme men in your MM romances, Tam is a character you will likely love. This book will also appeal to those who like bikers, angst-driven characters, redemption, forgiveness, and a whole series of men who dance to the beat.

Despite the heartbreaking themes of loss and sexual abuse, Brave & Beautiful felt hopeful and redemptive.

Unlike Ansel and Z, the Sassy Boyz from the first two books, Tam, the group's talented choreographer, doesn't have a mean streak. Tam is quiet and withdrawn. Having survived a horrific childhood, Tam feels no sexual desire; he's not even sure if he's attracted to men or women. He's far stronger than he thinks, but he doesn't trust easily.

"All the darkness in his life had made it possible for him to know the stars."

Tam meets Driver in the basement laundry room of his apartment building. Tam walks in on Driver wearing nothing but briefs, and his automatic response is to flee. But he just wants to do his laundry, damn it.

Driver is a shameless flirt. He likes all flavors of sex, although he typically dates women. He initially mistakes Tam for a woman, a very sexy woman, but he's not remotely fazed when he realizes that Tam is all man. Tam wears frilly manties, high heels, and glitter. Every move he makes is a sensual and graceful.

Driver is a wild card. Following an accident that took the lives of his family, Drivers runs. And runs. Never satisfied, always moving, Driver can't promise Tam a future.

I'm not going to lie and say Driver is an easy MC to like because he's not. He hurts people, and he's selfish. Tam, on the other hand, is a beautiful soul, and I adored him to pieces.

Yet despite Driver's inability to be still with his pain, he's so good to Tam. He doesn't push Tam into anything sexual, and Tam's issues aren't magically solved with magic dick. Tam has a sexual awakening when he's with Driver. He feels real desire for the first time. He discovers the joy of touching and kissing.

"He'd give his whole heart to keep Tam safe. He'd lie down and sacrifice everything to know that Tam was in the world, shining like the star he was."

This book is very much relationship focused, but there is a side plot involving all the Sassy Boyz, who are looking for a new venue where they can perform. After nearly a dozen auditions, they're losing hope.

We do see all the Boyz again, and I was pleased to get more of Ansel & Fitch's as well as Z and Connelly's HEA, but Brave & Beautiful can be read as a standalone.

This would have been a perfect 5 star read had it not been for the somewhat abrupt ending. The MCs are together, but the book ends immediately after Driver comes to his senses. A short epilogue would have made all the difference.