Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre is a fascinating concept. That isn’t a surprise because Ms. Torre pushes the envelope with most of her books. The thing is the story didn’t work for me because of Marco. It is a good story, and there are some great parts, but the overall effect didn’t come together—for me anyway.

Hidden Seams starts with an excellent hook. I know what the story is about and thought the prologue is setting up a fall from grace so to speak. In my head, I’m thinking, “Oh this is going to be very good.” It is good but what starts as suspenseful turns into something else that I can’t get my head around and efficiently articulate.

I love Avery McKenna. Her character is so thought-provoking and multi-dimensional. She is a lost soul who doesn’t fit in anywhere. She is adopted, a disappointment to her adoptive parents never feels she belongs then ends up on the street. Most of her life is a quest to find her biological family. Along the way, she gets involved with some unsavory people to survive. She finds a way to make the most of her situation and continues to search for her biological father. She is working to help others, even if it isn’t on the up-and-up. I could read about Avery all day.

Then there is Marco. Marco doesn’t work for me until almost 70 percent into the story. He doesn’t seem credible because I never understand him. I know Vince’s reasoning for asking Marco to be a part of his ruse. He is vain and has an image to maintain as the face of his fashion business. Marco seems like a fraud, and there isn’t a reasonable explanation of why he is compelled to play the game. He comes from a solid family even if they are a little flakey. He is loved. He doesn’t need to be deceptive he needs to work hard to build his career. I want to tell him to grow a pair—have some spine for goodness sake.

When Avery lets Marco know about her suspicions about Vince, Marco is angry. It’s like I was a fraud for ten years and you are just looking for your father. You don’t deserve any of the empire I own. It made me want to throat punch him. By the time he comes around to likable, I’m done with him. Let me stress that I don’t need to like the main character to be a fan. What I do need is to relate to his/her motivation.

Ms. Torre’s writing is outstanding. The story flows beautifully. I would love to read more about Avery’s life and the dangerous road she takes to get to the present day of Hidden Seams. Avery makes the story a four-star read.

I absolutely loved thus story! Marcio and Avery had instant fire that could not be extinguished.
In the beginning I was a bit perplexed as to how this was going to play out. Was Marco gay or bisexual? Leave it to the tempting Avery to burst that bubble.
Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their banter and how they went head to head when difference raised. Avery, was no shrinking violet. She hgad a dangerous job, but to her, it was worth the risk.
I loved how this story eventually played out and we got to the heart of the book...finding where you fit and who you fit with.

An addicting romance told in dual perspective, Avery and Marco have scorching chemistry and I was hooked on their story from start to finish! A few twists and a fantastic plot made this one a real winner!

Hidden Seams was one heck of a surprising book. I wasn't sure what to expect from the promo piece on the book. I'll admit to being truly surprised at the twists and turns of the story between Marco and Avery. Without giving away too much I'd say Hidden Seams was complex, unconventional, super steamy, fun and passionate! A must read for Alessandra Torres fans. A definite 4.5 stars

I wasn't sure about this one. Not my favorite in my stack of her books. It's a quick read. Plot is just ok and Marco was a hard man to like. Even when he sort of warmed up a little, I didn't trust him and waited for him to pull the rug out from under Avery. Avery I loved. Tough strong women are what we need to see more in books these days and Ms Torre nails this one. The supporting characters where absentee characters, so moot. Except both attorneys. I liked Alexei. Marco's lawyer was another prop.
I'm not into insta love and this one smacked of that in an off way. I hate your guts and will make your life hell to I love you. Nah. Not for me. But thanks. The end was too tidy.
Enough said.


**complimentary copy from NetGalley and Publisher for an honest review**

EVERY SINGLE BOOK by Alessandra Torre gets me. Every single one. I always think I'm going to start it and then get other things done and then NOPE, I find myself glued to her words until either I'm finished or sleep gets me first. Hidden Seams was no different. I started it last night and finished it early this morning.

I love how unlikely Hidden Seams is--I seriously cannot imagine the lives that Marco and Avery lead. His existence is so far removed from my pedantic lifestyle that I can't fathom having someone wait on my every movement, nor can I imagine living as a beard for as long as he did. And Avery? She's just such a badass that I can't fathom how she even really managed not to get shot at every turn.

It's is unlikeness that makes it absolutely perfect escapist fiction. I loved diving into their stories, their romance, their small deceptions, and their dreamy ending. It's the craziest fun Cinderella story that I've read in quite a while--and such a change from the emotional roller coaster of The Ghostwriter. Alessandra Torre can write anything--I've known this for a while now and this just confirms it. I'm eager to see what world she plunges us into next.

Unfortunately, this was not winner for me. From the start I was not able to connect with this book. Because I’d read so many books back to back, I thought maybe I needed to take a break for a couple of days from reading. I restarted this book several time but unfortunately the result was always the same. It just didn’t hold my attention that well. I think the plot/storyline where really good but I couldn’t catch the flow. I felt like I was starting in the middle of a story and never really got the beginning. Even the flashbacks didn’t help. I wasn’t a fan of either of the characters and never connected with either of them
I’ve heard good things about this author and was anxious to read this book, but this one just didn’t work for me. I’m going to put it on my re-read list and give it another chance at a later date. If my feelings change then I’ll update but for now I have to say, this wasn’t a good read for me.

Interesting story, steamy love scenes, and some very naughty humor.

Alessandra Torre brings the heat with a good not to over the top romance. overall I found the story to be full of heat and a good solid plot. Enjoyed

This is my second novel by Ms. Torre and this book is so totally different from any romance story I have read its my mind boggling. Marco is one part of the most powerful gay couple in the fashion world. His partner Vince owns a fashion empire. The problem with him being part of gay couple is he isn't gay. He makes a contractual arrangement with Vince to be his pretended lover and partner. After Vince passes away Marco becomes the heir to Vince's empire which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As he prepares himself to take over the empire he gets a call from his lawyer that a woman is claiming to be Vince's daughter and if this is true this could take away the fortune he worked so hard to achieve living a lie for ten years with Vince. Avery is not your typical love interest she is not meek and mild. She's a runaway who eventually grow up to be hustler who is in the money laundering business. Both heroine and hero are not characters you would usually root for because it begs the question do they have redeemable qualities for you to love. As we get a glimpse through their lives from before and their thoughts it let you see what lead them to where they are now. Very fascinating way of finding love in a world of lies deceit and disarray. Reviews on goodreads and amazon.com

Alessandra Torre never fails to disappoint. What is so amazing is that each of the books are so unique. It is as if her books were written from various authors. This just goes to show just how much of a talented writer she is.

Hidden Seams is about a man named Marco who for over a decade has given up his life to boost a world renown designer's reputation. His plans was to continue doing so even after his death but once Avery crashes into life, all of his plans get thrown out the window.

At first, I couldn't figure out what game Avery was playing. She had this degree of mystery that kept me so enraptured. Discovering her agenda was one of the best things about this book. The other of course was the chemistry. Avery and Marco certainly had this love-hate thing going that added to the overall appeal.

I thought they were so very different, that it would never work but you know what? Alessandra wholeheartedly convinced me that these two were fated to be together. I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I was with how everything panned out.

If you love very well written contemporary romance novels with a twist, read this book! I thought it was amazing just like any other Alessandra Torre book I've read so far.

Hidden Seams is a unique and interesting read that starts as two stories that eventually converge into one. There's witty banter, entertaining characters and a fast pace to hold your attention once you get into the story. I didn't necessarily feel as much of a connection between Marco and Avery as I'd like to have but I still enjoyed their story. Alessandra Torre is a fabulous writer and even though I felt like the main characters lacked chemistry, she still held my interest and had me invested in the story by the end. In all honesty, I started the story then put it aside. Resumed the story then put it aside. It took me some time to really get into it but I'm glad that I eventually came back to it and finished it.

This book honestly wasnt a favorite of mine. What I did like about this story was I definitely wasn't expecting that from the blurb... Let's put this as simply as possible with no real spoilers because honestly I was worried for a minute and had no idea what was going to happen in this story..
Nutshell, this story is about Marco who is not gay, but agrees to be a huge fashion moguls "beard" for over ten years until unfortunately the fashion mogul dies. Then we have Avery who is basically a orphan who just wants to find her father and from a photo she has her mother gave her before she died, this fashion mogul looks like he might fit the bill. So she goes on a journey to find her family, and turning Marco's already sad confusing existence completely upside down.

With the first pages I was interested. A story with a lot of potential filled with new discovered love. Before her, he pretended and lived a lie. Before him, she kept everyone at arms length. They are both strong and they both feel like they have a lot to loose if they give in to their attraction but there is no way they can control that impulse. They end up gaining everything they wanted by giving themselves the chance to feel and stop pretending. They end up gaining a family full of love. And some very hot and intense moments in between...

I can't believe I forgot how Alessandra Torre can spin words into a story that will leave me completely drained. By the blurb I though the story was one thing but boy was I wrong and how happy I am that I was. LOL I couldn't put it down and It will go on my reread shelf often. Fantastic characters that were both strong and independent but also lovable.

I received a copy of this book from the author.

Marco Lent has been denying his true self for a decade. How do you come back from that? Has to be pretty delicate and difficult situation. There's an image to uphold. A signed contract. A vision. Nothing prepared him for when Avery walked in front of his car.

As their acquaintance builds so does a relationship. Both have secrets they're not ready to divulge and of course could cause some issues. Doesn't stop them from hopping in the sack though! Of course Alessandra doesn't hold back on her sex scenes. Steamy, steamy.

I had higher hopes for this story. I love Alessandra's books. They're some of my favorites. I don't mind this story line at all. I think I had a hard time connecting to these characters as a whole. I didn't warm up to them. Couldn't tell you why exactly. They just didn't do it for me.

I’m quite torn with Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre. While it was intriguing and a story line that was different I don’t feel like I was completely drawn into the story. There was just something that I didn’t connect with but overall I did enjoy the story as I do like something out of the norm. I love all things Alessandra and will continue to read anything she writes but for me this was just a 3 star read.

Marco has given his life to Vince and his fashion empire. With Vince’s passing, Marco thinks he will finally get the empire he is entitled to. He’s been by Vince’s side playing the thoughtful lover and confidante and nothing will stop him from taking what he’s earned. Until the unexpected appears.

Avery has been searching for her father who was never in her life. Her mother passed away and the only thing she has of her parents is a picture from before she was born, a picture of her mother and father at LiveAid from the mid 1980’s. She sees a news story and notices that the flamboyant designer had passed away that bears a striking resemblance to the man in her picture. Determined to connect some dots, she finds out all she can on Vince and discovers he was at LiveAid. Looking for answers, she heads to New York to see if she can get more answers.

When Avery and Marco’s path cross there is a connection there neither expected. Avery is looking for answers and can possible spoil Marco’s right to the fashion empire. He should stay clear of her but there is something about her he’s drawn to. Avery is just looking for answers, if Vince is her father but when the two of them come together she can’t deny the chemistry they share. There are many layers to their story and with both of them having an agenda, will they both be able to find what they are looking for? You will need to read Hidden Seams to find out!

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Marco has spent the last ten years of his life dedicated to his friend and mentor Vince Horace. Their agreement includes living together as lovers, although only in name, and contributing to Vince's legacy of defender of the Gay Community. In return, upon Vince's death, he inherits the fashion company and all the billions of dollars in Vince's estate.

Now that Vince has died, and while he is mourning his friend, Marco feels secure in the belief all this marvelous estate and style of living will be his... until she comes into his life with her curves and sassiness threatening to uncover he is a straight man living a lie. And add to that, she thinks she is Vince's daughter!

This is a unique love story. There hidden secrets upon hidden secrets to uncover. Once that "old black magic" of love is set free though, anything can happen. This book does not disappoint. The love story is complex and scorching hot! Keep a bucket of ice on hand. You will need it!

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thank you to the author for sharing a copy with me.

I’m a fan of Ms Torre & Hidden Seams is another gem! At first I didn’t care for Avery or Marco but both characters grew on me & I ended up loving them! The storyline is a great mix of intrigue & erotica & once invested I didn’t want to put it down. 5 Stars!

When I read the blurb for this book, I was excited to get the chance to read it. A creative story line with unforgettable characters, Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre, will be at the top of my recommendation list for a long time.

Marco with his extreme good looks has been living a lie. His life as the partner of a gay man has given him everything he could want in life, except true happiness. He lived up to his end of the bargain and put on the show for the world, but with the death of his partner, his world is changing.

Avery has been lost most of her life. Troubled times lead her to a life, while helping others, would be considered less than ideal by most. Adopted, she had found her birth mother and gotten only one small hint as to her birth father could be. When a news story about the death of Marco’s partner appears on television, the similarity to her birth father is too much to ignore.

When Marco discovers why Avery has become part of his life, he is torn as what he wants for her. His need for her is great, but his need to honor his late partner is also great. How can he have what he wants, but keep the legacy alive? Avery's need for the truth drives her, but her need for Marco takes her down a different path.

Alessandra Torre has given us a beautifully written story of not only love, but of honor grown from a love that has shaped a life. Her characters are staggering in not only their depth but their diversity.