Christian McLaughlin

Alex is in college in the theater program. He meets Nick and wants to switch to law but, in the end, knows theater is a better fit for him. He has fallen for Nick but Nick is in a relationship, no matter what Barney is like. Alex takes what he can with Nick but eventually moves to LA for acting jobs. Getting on a soap opera for a short run leads to a longer run on the show. He still longs for Nick but knows nothing has changed. He gets involved with Trevor but when Alex is outed and the soap show more changes his character's arc, life gets more complicated especially since Trevor is also getting a chance on a prime time show. Can Alex uncomplicate his life? Will Trevor choose Alex? Will Alex and Trevor ever have a chance?

I loved this book. There is angst and humor. I loved Alex. He does his best to show Nick he is there for him. He also does his best to move on. When he is outed, he follows his agent's advice and stays low keyed but that does not change things. When he is betrayed by a "fan" who is also supposedly a friend from high school, he takes action. Unfortunately, it is too little, too late. I felt so bad for Alex. I adored Sara, his best friend. She tells it like he needs to hear it but she has his back no matter what.

Nick, I had reservations about. I liked him but he was wishy-washy in his relationships with others. Like Alex, I could not figure out why he was with Barney. Barney was a bump on a log. So many times he made promises to Alex and broke them. I do not know how Alex put up with him. I would have kicked him to the curb so many times. Alex stayed in for the long haul but did eventually stood up for himself. I was glad he did. I think that was the wake up call for Nick.

The story was fun. I liked the flashback parts quickly followed by current day fan mail and what was currently happening. It was not hard to follow. I laughed several times through the book either about scenes or how sentences were worded or Alex's thoughts about things. This was a romp and so much fun to read. show less

I have to admit that I was a little bit lost at the beginning of the book. But how can I ignore a book with such a delicious title - Sex Toys of the Gods?? So, I got myself to get through the first few pages of the book and got confused by the characters - Gail, Giles, Wren, Jason, Marilyn, Maggie, Marina, Tricia, Violet, Hank and all I really wanted to know more of was Jason.. and Hank. And perhaps naughty Stephan.

The book got me hooked on Violet eventually and pitied Tricia. But seriously, show more there were enough Hollywoodish-drama plots in the book to make a good, kinky tv series.

After Glamourpuss, I knew somehow Christian would pull off a great novel and this did not disappoint. Only I wish that there were more on Hank and Jason. Good stuff. show less