Book Reviews

Book Blurb

When successful fashion model Fabio Bonardi discovers his first wrinkle, he knows it’s time to move on to Plan B. He is tired of the loneliness and drama of the modeling world, so he enlists shy financial advisor, Edwin Zachary, to help him start a business. Edwin is the first man who sees something beyond a pretty face in Fabio, and the connection between them is immediate and surprisingly deep. But insecurity, fear of rejection, and the fact that they live on opposite sides of the country make pursuing a relationship challenging. Before they can figure out the details, a mysterious stalker tries to drive them apart. Then Fabio disappears after a photo shoot, and both men face an unexpected battle for the lasting relationship they both so desperately want.

First Edition published by Silver Publishing, 2011.

 

Book Review

It's been said that love is blind, but I disagree. I believe that love's vision is the clearest of all. Since love sees with the heart, it has access to a person's true essence, sometimes beyond what one can see in themselves. Love gently shines a light on these qualities and allows them to grow into a full-fledged joining of the minds, as well as the hearts. Fabio Bonardi and Edwin Zachary of 'The Model' by Serena Yates have the capacity to love each other with this kind of understanding, but their challenge is to look past their preconceived notions about themselves and each other and accept the gift of love that life is giving them.

Fabio is simply a fabulous man. He's gorgeous, even tempered, romantic and sexy. Even though he's been immersed in the shallowness of the modeling world for years, he's managed to keep his inner goodness intact. Meeting Edwin, even though he rejects him at first, Fabio is not deterred. He keeps trying to win Edwin's attention and pursues him with a fervor that would flatter anyone, because his heart tells him that Edwin is too special to let him get away.

Edwin is intelligent, uptight, prim, proper, and logical. He has serious trust issues due to past bad experiences, but when he connects with Fabio, all of his logic goes right out the window and he bolts. Finally Fabio convinces him he's sincere with an incredibly romantic gesture, and he begins to listen, not only to Fabio, but to his own feelings. Fabio brings out in him the fun, happy, relaxed, loving, and wild side of his nature. Together, they make an awesome couple; and there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other.

Many of us forge ahead with our lives, continuing to do what we've always done, not stopping to consider there may be a better way. Fabio and Edwin are both stuck in similar ruts; they know they aren't happy, but neither has stopped to consider what is missing. Something as inane as finding a wrinkle turns Fabio's world upside down. He knows this signals the beginning of the end of his modeling career. He's always known the day would come, but thinking always in the future, not in the “here and now”; it throws him into a panic. When Fabio is calmer, able to look at the situation more realistically, he sees how jaded he's become; how he no longer enjoys his work or the professional company he keeps and starts planning for his future. He's able to see “one door closing so another can open”. When Fabio meets Edwin, everything clicks and he rushes through the open door toward Edwin. Which is all well and good except Edwin is at a different point in his life and has to get on the same page as Fabio before he can accept this so Edwin temporarily shuts that door. Fabio is stunned but doesn't give up. Now that he knows what it takes to be happy and that's being with Edwin. He just has to convince Edwin. Edwin's past is filled with an emotionally distant family and other failed relationships. How could he expect to immediately trust Fabio? Experience has taught him that opening up to someone only leads to pain and despair. He's frightened of being taken advantage of and doesn't want to feel the pain that will come when it is all over. Fabio and Edwin soon find that when your heart decides it wants someone, there's usually no stopping until it happens.

This is my second time reading this story and I'm happy that I did because I enjoyed it even more than before.  Fabio and Edwin's personalities shine even brighter and their feelings for each other are even more convincing. They are great characters whose devotion is tested by fire and they come out on the other side stronger than ever. Thanks, Serena, for giving me a second time to enjoy this touching, endearing story.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella,125 pages/41287 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	23-September-2015
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-model-by-serena-yates-398-b