Christian is a famous photographer of erotic art. David is an aspiring photographer paying the bills as Christian's assistant.

Watching Christian work lights a fire for David, but getting to know him in a more personal way engages his heart.

Christian has a solid rule. Never mess around with an employee. No matter how intriguing that employee may be. He's never done relationships before either. He doesn't know the first thing about them.

It's up to David to set him straight. David is kind and giving, but he's not a pushover. He knows what he wants and knows what he deserves.

I thought the modeling sessions were super hot. I could feel the steam rising in that studio.

I didn't realize this was a short story when I requested the ARC. I need to be more careful to check page count in the future. I don't tend to enjoy novellas as much as I do full novels. Personal preference. So, I felt like there was something missing in the relationship between our MCs. For me, it was obviously length and depth in the story. Others who enjoy short stories may not have the same perception as I do.

As I said before, what I read was an ARC. It is still in need of some editing work. Minor things like typos, word choice, the occasional awkward scene. It just needs a little smoothing out.

I enjoyed this quick and easy read.

Normally, I'm a big fan of Andrew Grey's work but there just wasn't enough here to connect with either of the characters. The story is well written and the editing is on point, but the story itself just falls flat. Christian is an in-demand erotic photographer and David is his dedicated, stalwart assistant. We come into the book with them having an established working relationship and unrequited feelings on both sides. Because of that, the whole scene with Christian having sex with his model to get the optimal shots while David stands by watching longingly, ashamed and turned on was...just sad. The events after that unfold fairly quickly with too little insight into each character's past, a passionate moment of hope, and a gratuitous moment of angst. As a quick read, I would have happily traded that for actual, meaningful interaction between Christian and David that made me believe in them as a long-term couple. As it was, there was precious little to connect with them, much less believe in them.

For such a short story it was surprisingly complete. David was charming, shy, and feels unimportant and overlooked by Christian and his philandering. Christian is self-absorbed and falling into complacency despite taking increasingly amazing photos. Together they have more than a few issues to work through if they're ever going to see eye-to-eye.

There were inconsistencies in Christian's reasoning for hiring David as well as his overall treatment of his assistant. He was temperamental and moody, fine for an artist, but then an about-face is supposed to be believed will last with a thousand warnings of "I might screw this up." And David is supposed to pick up the slack emotionally as well as almost everywhere else.

David has a past to overcome and a few photos won't fix it. With the ending of the story there's not enough there to believe that Christian will help or hinder his own personal growth. David is, himself, a photographer but we learn almost nothing about his subject matter or what projects he wants to work toward. To us, he's just an assistant. I would have loved for more.

Despite those frustrations, both characters have depth and feeling. There's plenty of eroticism and steam, not just between the two MC's, which is another of my issues, but again, that's for later. There's also a steady flow throughout the entire story so reading doesn't feel stilted or like it drags. Overall, a good story with more of an HFN than an HEA.

When I browsed some titles on Netgalley, I came across this book and said, why not? This is Andrew Grey. And I took a chance to read this one, and I liked it.

Actually, this is not my everyday preferences in reading. I mean, Christian was an asshole all the time, but I can't blame him for having a rule that he cannot involved with his employee.
Even as beautiful as David. But I hated that he took the easy way instead.
Speaking of being stupid horny guy. Ugh!

I was half expected that David will ended with Reggie or Javier (both are sweet and cared for David), but as they say, love is blind, people. The only one David can see is Christian.
Good thing is, before David accepted him, Christian had to put up with Javier with his 'don't mess with my best friend' attitude, and proved to David how much he wanted David.
David accepted it too easy imo, but for a short story, this one is kinda enjoyable. And they tend to have a HEA. I hope so. Fingers crossed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novella.

This was the tale of Christian, a successful photographer, and David his assistant.

Each has felt attracted to the other for about three months. Eventually they admit to the attraction.

Christian fouls up. David forgives. They get back together. All is well.

If I had been David, I would have run a mile from Christian. Seriously, when Reggie was available.......
not to speak of Javier.

Predictable hot sex. David not such an ugly duckling after all.As for Reggie and Javier..........!!
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