Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Kiss him, sleep with him, but don’t ever fall in love with him.

The first time Wes Archer steps into Jack of Clubs, an exclusive London pleasure club, he’s completely confident he can heed the tried-and-true advice about becoming an escort. Wes gives himself away for free with casual hookups all the time. Why not make some cash doing what he already loves? And cash is something he desperately needs. His brother’s gambling addiction has taken their family’s home, saddled Wes with insurmountable debts, and compromised his chances for finishing his degree.

Accepting an offer to spend a few hours of fun with a rich bloke will be a simple business transaction, right?

Wrong.

Wes’s first client is Cormac Reilly. The handsome billionaire is grumpy, funny, and commanding in a way that unlocks desires Wes never knew he had. Cormac is icily determined to keep their arrangement strictly business, but that doesn’t stop Wes from finding him fascinating.

As their one-night contract becomes something much more, Wes can’t deny he’s falling for his client. He knows he’s flouting all the rules, but breaking down Cormac’s barriers is an irresistible challenge, and his reward might be the best prize of all — love.

 

 

Please see the disclaimer at the beginning of the book for content some readers may find triggering.

 

Book Review

“People are complicated; you put two of them together and it's generally a mess, but hopefully a beautiful mess”. ~ Johnny Galecki

 

Wes Archer is the main character in 'Pretty Mess' by Lily Morton. After his brother's latest gambling loss, the family loses their house. As a result, Wes and his sister-in-law are forced to find a new place to live.

 

With nowhere to go, Wes leaves that day with only a few belongings. Unsure of his next step, he meets a classmate, Julian, who offers him a place to stay. Surprised by Julian's nice apartment, Wes questions how he can afford it. Julian reveals he works as an escort and suggests Wes try it. Despite his misgivings, Wes, desperate for money, agrees.

 

The club is a new experience for Wes. Justin acts as his tutor, evaluating his appearance, dressing him, and explaining rules like not fidgeting or smiling too much. Overwhelmed by the many instructions, Wes worries he can’t remember them all. While waiting, he locks eyes with the club’s most handsome and wealthy man, Cormac Reilly.

 

Soon, Wes is presented with an offer that is too high to turn down, motivated by his need for financial security. He is given a keycard and a room number. When he enters the room, Wes is thrilled to see that Cormac is his client. Julian has given Wes a huge list of things that he should and should not do when he is with a client, but Wes, driven by nervousness and curiosity about Cormac, breaks almost all of them. Instead of being upset, Cormac is amused, enjoying Wes's genuine reactions. The chemistry between them is electric, the sex beyond good. To Wes’s surprise, Cormac, intrigued by Wes’s authenticity, asks to see him again.

 

After a short time, Cormac tires of meeting at a hotel and offers to set Wes up in an apartment. Wes agrees, but when he gets there, he is blown away by the enormity of the place. Cormac comes over that night; he and Wes continue their arrangement, but as hard as he may try, he can’t help but want to know more about this intriguing man. But just as Wes gets close to having Cormac open, he retreats into himself. Along with his curiosity, there is a need for more intimacy. Wes realizes he is in love with Cormac, but unless Cormac can let Wes in, there is little hope for them to move toward deepening their relationship.

 

‘Pretty Mess’ is an excellent title for this complex story. It’s heavy on the sexual side, but with the theme, it’s understandable. I appreciated that Cormac was Wes’s first and only client. Their banter was hilarious, and their sex was more than steamy. Coming together emotionally was a rough road for them, but Wes’s persistence and patience helped them. Thanks, Lily. Now, how about giving Julian his happy ever after?

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book was purchased by the reviewer.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 440 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	17-August-2025
Price	$5.99 ebook, $18.99 paperback
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Mess-Lily-Morton-ebook/dp/B0FKNBLCDF