Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I was totally hooked by Hidden Seams' premise. The characters are intriguing: Marco's lived the last decade in a partnership-of-convenience as a gay man and Avery launders money in Detroit. She comes to New York to (sort of) make a claim on Marco's now deceased partner's estate. The attraction between Marco and Avery is instant but even with a billion dollar estate on the line, these two can’t stay away from each other and every encounter in Hidden Seams is hotter than the last. Eyebrow-singeing hot.

I just wish Hidden Seams would have allowed these two to pursue their insta-lust as two consenting adults, instead of diving headfirst into conventional notions and insta-love. Still, Alessandra Torre's writing is imminently readable and Hidden Seams is a book you can devour in one (or two) sittings. Fans of the happily ever after will be totally satisfied.

This isn’t the first Alessandra Torre book that I have read and I usually enjoy her stories so it’s hard for me to write this review. I was so excited to read this book but sadly the story didn’t work for me and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. The story had an interesting premise but sadly it didn’t hold my attention and ending up being flat at times. Thank you for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

WOW!

You want a to read a story that will have you gripping your Kindle in anticipation to what will happen next and guessing that what you think will happen is not what at all happens?

This is the book for you!

I loved it!

Captivating, sexy, gripping, had me swiping each page as though I could not swipe it fast enough to find out what was going to happen between Marco and Avery.

Their story is told in dual Point of Views which left me fully satisfied of being in the mind of both characters and feeling their emotions and actions come to life off the pages.

Author Alessandra Torre does it again with giving us a healthy dose of mystery, love, sexiness and a her twisted signature style of the delightfully unexpected.

This book was awesome! It was like love at first sight against their wills LOL. Totally blew my mind, it went against so many schemes. A guy pretending to be gay and a woman who lives on the edge of the law, and who only wants to be part of a real family. They come from such different worlds but they make such explosive chemistry. I loved how Marco couldn’t hold against his attraction to Avery, it was like a magnetic pull that he couldn’t resist. When she was present, he felt full, when she was absent, he felt empty. It’s passionate, tender, explosive, mischievous. I loved, loved this book.
Marco Lent has pretended to be gay for the last ten years. He has also pretended to be in an exclusive relation with Vince Horace, a famous designer, who is very flagrantly gay. They have a secret agreement in which Marco pretends to be his boyfriend and in exchange he shares Vince’s empire and will inherit upon his demise. When Vince dies, Marco is bereft because he has lost his mentor, his brother, his father. He’s now adrift because he lives a lie and cannot find his way out.
Avery has always felt displaced, like she doesn’t belong, like she hasn’t found somewhere she belongs. She’s adopted but her adoptive parents are not involved, they just wanted the appearance of a perfect family. After too many shenanigans, they leave her alone, cut her off, and she’s making her life in Detroit, laundering money, associating with scum, and protecting the Russian girls that are brought to work and who don’t always get into good working conditions. She has already met her birth mother, but didn’t feel the connection, and holds the hope of sometime meeting her father.
One day she’s watching a show and sees the news about this fashion mogul who’s just dies and he’s the spitting image of the photo she carries of her parents. He died in New York and her lawyer/best friend, sends a letter presenting her claim and requesting a DNA test.
Avery flies to New York to stop the letter from reaching its destination because she’s scare spitless to find out the truth. What she finds out is a beautiful man who leaves her breathless. And Marco finds a woman that he turns to be addicted to. Once Avery’s claim is known, Marco behaves horribly to her; they are enemies. Once he learns that she just wants to know, wants to belong, and renounces the inheritance, he realizes she’s not a gold digger but a girl looking for love. Initially he was a jerk, then he turned into a sweetheart. I loved, loved that he was addicted, besotted, devoted to Avery. Avery was a little prickly but she was rapidly falling under Marco’s charm, once he stopped scowling and growling.
This was a fantastic loves story. Only Alessandra Torre could write a crazy scheme about a man who pretends to be gay to inherit a fashion empire and a girl who launders money for a living and ends up with a brilliant and compelling love story. I loved reading about Marco’s evolvement from a cold, unfeeling man to a man in love, possessive, protective and whipped. And the most incredible thing, this is a man who is incredibly pretty, he wears scarves, he loves having massages, he wears his hair perfectly arranged, and yet he’s so masculine and perfectly male in the book. That’s talent! On the other hand, Avery is centered. She knows her work is on the edge of illegal, yet she does it because no one else will protect her Russian girls like she does. She’s spunky, brave, and generous. The perfect woman to break apart Marco’s pretentious world. It was fantastic!

4 Live Well CROWNS

Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre is nothing that I expected it to be. I was expecting immense sexual tension and angsty hate-love moments, but what I got is a romance that had much more depth, examining ideas of reputation, fulfillment in relationships and much more.

Marco might be my favorite Torre hero. This lovable gruff man has such a soft side, and every time he showed it, I felt myself fall for him a bit more. Even as he tries to recapture life for himself, his loyalty and love of Vince is ever present, resulting in him being one of the most loyal and thoughtful heroes I can remember in a very long time. Even as he chases his own dreams and Avery, he is ever conscious of the man who gave him ten years of opportunities & mentoring. By the end of this novel, I love the man he became, this mashup of who he was with Vince and who he is with Avery.

Avery is such a phenomenal heroine. I love the motivation behind her job, and it makes her honorable in my eyes. Her quest to find family, someone who loves her for who she is without change, drives her for most of the novel. There is no ulterior motivation for her going to NY, which only makes her character better.

The chemistry between these two, physically and emotionally, is electric. I love the intimate moments after they got physical as much as the when they did. These two just clicked, and I could feel every heated moment that passes between them.

This story from the opening intrigued me with concept of a man who spent a good portion of his life pretending to be gay. The opening scene begins with heartbreak and then the floundering of a man who is lost and grieving, automatically connecting the audience with the hero. Just like him, the opening moments with the heroine show that she is searching for something similar. Her potential claim to the Horace empire provides the conflict between the two, and there is a lot of anger thrown between them. The conflict, however, is resolved pretty quickly, and the final moments of the book, while heartwarming are glossed over. I wanted more details about those moments, which I guess is really a sign that I enjoyed the book if I wanted more.

Hidden Seams is impeccably written, the characters are some of my favorites, and the pursuit of family and love are topics that will resonate with many readers, making Hidden Seams another fantastic read.

4.5 stars

I have not read a novel yet from Alessandra Torre that I have not enjoyed reading and that is still the case. I truly enjoyed reading Hidden Seams. Two people with secrets, wants and needs. How far will they go to get to their goal?

Who is Marco Lent? What are his secrets? For a decade, has Marco lived a lie? Now he is set to inherit an empire. But what has been the cost and is he willing to let it go when a captivating woman enters his life? I loved Marco. He was lonely, but very determined.

Avery McKenna is discovering who she is. Orphaned, she has been working to find out where she came from. She found her mother, but wants to know who her father is. But can her father be a well known gay man?

I truly enjoyed reading Hidden Seams. I loved the steamy chemistry between Marco and Avery. What they had was powerful and all-consuming. Marco the lonely man who was finally getting what he worked so hard for, but was it enough? And Avery the wonderfully strong, smart, sexy and determined woman. You could not help but fall in love with both.

This was a beautifully written love story full of heart. I smiled and swooned while reading. Alessandra Torre has this way of writing that consumes her readers. A great read!

Alessandra has done it you guys, She took two characters who I truly didn't think could work and it was perfection.



The cover is perfection in relation to this book as well. The title has so much more meaning once you read the book.

This book was a hotbed of secrets, hidden agendas, and pasts that no one wants dug up. Throw in some sexual tension and it made for a story that I could not put down. I loved the characters too both of them had their faults, but when they were together it was explosive.

It baffles me how some books Alessandra delivers these gut wrenching reads, and in her next novel she gives a fantastic plot and all the steam that a rated R book needs. Its a true talent y'all/

I want to mention how much I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in this book. Some of the descriptive scenes about the past and parties, heck even to get to meet some of the secondary character would have been amazing. Also, the epilogue to this book as perfect.

twists I didn't see coming and and ending that was exactly what the book needed. SO GOOD.

I love this book so much!! Hidden Seams is sad at times, hot as hell, full of angst and add in a little mystery and intrigue then you have the perfect combination in my opinion!

Avery is not your average character. She lives life on the edge, doesn’t care what anyone thinks and speaks her mind. She’s tough with a heart of gold. I love her character so much. I felt like I could meet her walking the streets of Charleston and we would be friends despite her having money. That’s how normal she is well except what she does for work but hey I like excitement in my life!!

I didn’t know what to think of Marco at first. From the very first paragraph we get a glimpse into what it feels like being him living a life that’s a lie. The more I read though the less I felt sorry for him. He had everything and chose that life. But saying that I started to love him. My feelings for him growing with chapter. We see a different side than the mean and hateful Marco and I loved it.

Overall this book was off the charts, toe curling, smoking hot! The characters had a lot of depth and you could imagine living their life. The plot was one I’ve never read before and I have to give Alessandra props, she wrote a controversial book with the ease and grace of an acrobat.

Wowzas! Mega hotness alert! So this is my first time reading an Alessandra Torre romance and hot tamale does she romance those words! It has got to be pure talent that can turn words into this complete sexiness where you're left fanning yourself.

I don't read erotica. It isn't usually a genre I enjoy but Torre can create these worlds where I find myself enjoying a genre that has never before been my cup of tea. The way she creates her sentences and the way she describes thing is what pulls me in. Torre could create a story based on shopkins (I'm really not sure what those things are) but I would read it. I also am nearly positive that I would enjoy every single word!

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I will leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

4.5 stars!

Alessandra Torre has written a fresh, entertaining story about two unlikely characters who fall hard and fast when they least expect it and at the worst possible time. The whole plot is different and unique and I was completely fascinated by it.

Marco Lent has spent a decade with famous fashion designer, Vince Horace. They have a strong relationship and share a bond that changed his life. But he has been living a lie. Now that Vince has passed, Marco is about to inherit Vince’s billion-dollar fashion empire if he can live the lie just a little longer, something that becomes more difficult when a potential heir enters his life.

Avery, born to a young mother who gave her up for adoption, knows nothing of her father except for what she sees in the only picture she has of him. She’s been on her own since she was a young teen and has made a life for herself. She has an interesting profession that could be considered illegal but her heart of gold is in a good place. However, she is lonely and feels incomplete. Not knowing who her father is has taken a toll on her and she feels like she is missing a part of herself.

When Avery shows up at Marco’s house in hopes of finding answers about her past, things go in a completely different direction than she could have ever imagined. Marco has the empire in his grasp but he knows it could all slip through his fingers if he can’t keep his hands off of Avery.

Hidden Seams is original in every way. It's a solidly constructed, creative story with an unusual plot and complicated and well-developed characters. I quickly became invested in their lives and desperately wanted to watch the story unfold.

I loved Marco. He is gorgeous, smart, and believes in the Vince Horace brand. He is a rare individual that made decisions in the past that I know I could never make. Marco has lived his life a certain way for the last ten years and now that the man who made such an impact on his life has passed, he is lost.

"Now he’s gone, and I’m fighting to stay in this life, in this role that no longer has a purpose."

Marco is a pretty big jerk at times but I understood where he is coming from even if it doesn’t excuse his actions. His life changed that moment he met Vince and before he knew it he was in so deep that there was no turning back. He finds himself stuck, unable to see how he could live and enjoy life without ruining Vince’s image, something he desperately doesn't want to do. He loved Vince but he also wants to move on. I felt the emotion that filled his head, the confusion, uncertainty, and fear.

"Now, on his wide deck, overlooking the water, a beautiful woman next to me, I’m lost - half drunk on freedom, half terrified by risks."

Avery was spectacular. She is funny and sweet with a huge heart. She is also a total badass and I loved her from the moment I met her. She is brave, has no fear, and does what she sets her mind to. She has an amazing confidence about her that I adored and she’s intriguing, especially because of her profession. She’s smart and trusts herself but I felt her confusion when it came to Marco. She doesn’t have a lot of solid experience with men and so when she meets him she questions what exactly is going on between them.

"There is no way, according to everything I’ve read about Marco Lent, that he is anything other than 100% gay."

"And there is no way, according to everything I’ve felt in this car, that he isn’t planning on ripping off my clothes with his teeth once we arrive at his home."

I felt the attraction between Avery and Marco the moment I saw them together and the sexual tension is palpable. The forbidden aspect of the story made things even more electric. Avery and Marco are smokin’ hot together, and when they aren’t physically around one another, they are constantly on each other’s minds. I enjoyed the fun banter, the tender moments, and the emotion that tugged at my heart while watching the story evolve.

Hidden Seams is so much more than a romance. The character growth is well-rounded as Marco faces his future without Vince and decides what he truly wants and Avery learns the truth about her past. Secrets and lies also fill the pages and there is a twist at the end that I hadn’t considered. I loved the way things played out and enjoyed getting a glimpse into the future through the sweet epilogue. The whole book was fantastic and I loved it!!

"Love, in this moment, has no boundaries."

As soon as I read the blurb for this book, I knew I would be hooked.

I absolutely loved watching Marco and Avery fall in love. I love the transformation that he went through. Two completely different souls from different worlds brought together under most unusual circumstances and with that came banter and so much sexual tension but best of all, love! I thought both their voices were authentic. I really liked the fact that I could get Marco's perspective on the developing romance as well as Avery's.

There were only a few things I had a problem with but nothing major. It’s just that sometimes the author became a bit wordy. And, even though I adored Avery, her character was less interesting than Marco’s. I liked her backstory but the male character was more sympathetic and convincing.

The ‘forbidden love’ aspect made this story so wonderful. The external obstacles were so many and Marco’s struggle with his feelings added and increased drama and conflict. The author truly does explore the mind and feelings of the male character making it seem so real! I totally enjoyed this story and would recommend it without hesitation.


In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 4/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 2/5 | Secondary Characters 3/5 | Drama-Conflict 4/5 | Mystery 2/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pace Steady | Action 3/5


ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

If I had a dollar for every single time I’ve seen a book by Alessandra Torre on my social media or every time someone mentioned how good her books are, I’d have enough money to follow the Jonas Brothers all around the country (if they ever get back together).
Okay… maybe I’m being a bit dramatic but I’ve seen her everywhere! Her books haunted me so I had to read one of them to see what all the fuss was about and now I get it. My eyes have been opened and there’s no going back.

Hidden Seams is like absolutely nothing I have ever read before. There’s nothing predictable or cliché—unless you consider the story of a man pretending to be gay for ten years cliché or the story of a woman with a (kind of) dangerous and illegal but good job (sounds weird, I know) predictable.
Marco has pretended to be gay for years when he’s actually straight. You’d think that now that the man he pretended to be in love with, Vince Horace, is dead, Marco would finally be free but that’s not the case. He’s inheriting Vince’s empire. He needs to keep up the charade. And then everything gets complicated. There’s a woman claiming to be Vince’s daughter. And he may or may not have slept with her the night before…

When I started reading this book I had no idea what the heck was going on (I didn’t re-read the synopsis). I was confused but intrigued. For some reason I couldn’t stop reading even though the story sounded a bit too twisted for my liking. Kind of like stumbling upon something that you totally shouldn’t be seeing and as much as you want to stop seeing that something, you just can’t. stop. freaking. looking. It felt like that. There was a lot of illegal stuff, secrets and dirty thoughts—GOSH, the dirty thoughts. There was a lot graphic thoughts in Marco’s chapters. Sometimes it felt like sex was all he thought about all the time but I guess that’s because he’s spent TEN years basically celibate pretending to be gay when he actually loves women.

The final thirty percent of the book felt like reading a completely different story. Suddenly Marco was a sweet, sweet man and Avery was suddenly in love with him when for the majority of the book Marco was a freaking ass towards Avery and they pretty much hated each other. The only reason I’m not giving this book a five out of five is because of that. Throughout the story there wasn’t really a lot of romance, definitely sexual tension but not romance and all of a sudden the characters were in love and my mind just couldn’t handle. Don’t get me wrong, their love story definitely made me swoon and it would make all of y’all swoon too but it definitely felt very rushed.

To sum it all up, this book pushed me out of my I-love-soft-and-safe-and-cliché-romance comfort zone. It is steamy and edgy and unputdownable. I loved it. And that last thirty percent I mentioned will make everyone swoon and smile at the banter between the characters.
If you are like me and have resisted getting on that “I love Alessandra Torre” bandwagon; just jump in already!! You won’t regret it!

Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre is a standalone story with many different sides shown in it. The main side in the story was the romance between Marco and Avery but then you also have the mystery behind Avery’s past and her trying to find out all about that past and then the reader saw Marco’s struggle to hold his secrets tight- He was so full of pain and bitterness that he couldn’t show who he truly was. It was great to read how their lives actually intersected together and ended up together. These two ended up together after the death of an eccentric fashion designer ; a man who was loved by all yet held so many secrets in his life.
This book was so full of mysteries and drama, a bit of suspense to go along with the romance that is the main storyline between Marco and Avery. I dare not give too much away for Hidden Seams is a story of lies, secrets, love, betrayal, romance, familial ties and intrigue. Be prepared for a complex yet sweet and captivating romance that will grab your attention on page 1 and not let go until the very last word on the last page. In my case, the story stayed with me even after the read was over and had me play the “ what if” game…This was such an unreal experience , one that I found amazing and a joy to read because of the fantastic characters in this book. Ms. Torre is an author that just knows what to write in order to capture her readers attention and how to keep them there and that is definitely the case here. Hidden Seams will captivate and amaze with the sweetness of the characters and the intrigue of the story. I look forward to what this author writes next.

My Rating: 4.7 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

Carefully constructed words…intriguing storytelling…meticulous world building…authentic character development…these are all the things I adore about fictional stories, because even though the lives that are created come from an author’s mind, they become quite realistic, allowing readers to enter those texts and settle in for one heck of a wild ride.

Alessandra Torre’s newest release, Hidden Seams, embodies all of the qualities I’ve grown to love about romance stories. Its unique storyline, complex hero and heroine, and double-meaning title proves her ability to think outside the box and offer readers an insightful experience all within the pages of her book.

The title itself forces readers to see beneath the fairytale lifestyle that Marco Lent has led for the past decade with his partner, infamous fashion designer, Vince Horace. Because while Vince is out and proud as a gay man, few people see the reality of their situation because Marco and Vince are experts at concealing the truth…experts at building their brand and their reputation while also hiding behind their label and how it’s presented and represented.

Marco and Vince are a united front, but Marco, the man, is a fraud and now that the fashion world has lost an icon…lost one of its kings, the man who has lived a double-life for 10 years – one that now seems unwarranted – is left wondering where his place is in his own life because he truly hasn’t been his own man since he agreed to Vince’s proposition and became a cover, a kind of beard if you would, for a man who Marco saw as a friend, a father-figure, and a mentor, but keeping up the facade becomes a lot more difficult when a certain woman enters Marco’s world and threatens to burn it to the ground, not necessarily due to her actions but more so due to an electric connection that neither can deny.

If readers have read many of Torre’s stories, they’ll know that she doesn’t usually write the male perspective, but Marco’s point of view is essential to the story line; he’s the only person who can truly shed light on Vince’s choices…he’s the only one who truly saw the man beneath the fashion icon…he’s the only one who knew their truth, and he’s still fighting to protect it, even though the cover is a bit too much for him to bear now that Vince passed away.

Readers need to hear his side of things…need to understand why Marco became Vince’s dutiful partner because even though Marco can dress it up any way he likes…rationalize that it was all done for Vince’s legacy…for his brand…for his empire…it still doesn’t help him in working out where he goes from here now that he’s the only king of the Horace brand.

Avery McKenna is an intriguing heroine; she’s independent, feisty, and not afraid to take risks, even when they could hurt her. Her back story illustrates a girl who

couldn’t fit into her old life, simply because that wasn’t the path she wanted to follow… she didn’t want to live that way…she wanted to make her own path…carry her own weight and in a place like Detroit, she’s done an amazing job in proving her intelligence and her worth, but not even Avery could navigate amongst the fashion elite, so even though she believes that’s where she needs to go for answers, it doesn’t mean she’ll make the correct choices, especially when it comes to a certain fashion designer and a desire fueled on lust and perhaps even love.

Hidden Seams is definitely both Marco and Avery’s story, so hearing both of their sides is paramount to understand the plot line and to build a bridge between their two drastically different lifestyles. Torre smoothly intersects Marco and Avery’s lives and quickly shatters the facade that Marco’s been living for 10 years, but what that means for Marco’s inheritance and where Avery fits in the hidden seams of his life can only be figured out by watching their story play out and willing their truths to be exposed and all I have to say is I enjoyed every delicious and devastating minute!

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

4.5 ‘Be bold’ Stars!
ARC provided by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alessandra Torre is an exceptional author. Every single time she releases anything she always surprises her readers with something new but always in her unique style and touches. Her book blurbs draw me in every time and Hidden Seams was no exception. Again, Alessandra delivered an outstanding piece of writing that had my attention 100% of the time and made me laugh, swoon and feel.

Hidden Seams is LIVE today (go grab your copy right now, guys!) and it is a standalone novel that features a very peculiar couple. Marco Lent has spent ten years of his life lying about everything (especially his sexual orientation) since he met the man that changed his life: the fashion mogul, Vince Horace. Avery McKenna was adopted but never fit in her new family. She left and entered a very dangerous (and kind of illegal) world. Everything changes when Vince dies: Marco inherits almost everything from him and Avery discovers she can be related to him. Then, these two are forced to meet but their strong pull on each other make things hot but also very complicated.

- Every day, for the last decade, my looks have had a purpose, one that Vince and I exploited to benefit his reputation and brand. Now, I look in the mirror and don’t know what to do with myself. -

Alessandra Torre sure knows how to create original stories with fresh and complex characters. The storyline of Hidden Seams is not the typical romance plot and that is what makes it such an amazing story to read. The writing is engaging, and it was impossible for me not to fall in love with these characters. Marco is an alpha, a sexy, sophisticated and highly sexual alpha hidden behind a gay mask that started when Vince decided he wanted him as his right-hand man. Suddenly Vince dies and Marco’s entire world begins to crumble. He does know what to do with himself and then Avery throws herself in front of him. Literally.

- In the darkness, with just sound and touch between us, he is so beautiful. -

Avery is also one hell of a heroine. Fighting to find her place in the world, she is a successful woman but with a dangerous job and a past that keeps messing with her head (and her heart). Hope begins to rise when she finds out about Vince but not everything is as easy as it seems. Marco is now in charge of everything and even after their explosive secret night together he does not want to believe her. He has eight hundred million reasons not to! Still, their chemistry is unstoppable, and they find themselves not able to keep away from each other. Avery and Marco have a beautiful connection and mixing that with off-the-charts chemistry, funny moments and lots of emotions, makes Hidden Seams(and its main characters) a romance gem!

- A man like this could destroy my heart. A man like this will make every other man, every other kiss, and every other love, seem weak in comparison. -

I just love Alessandra Torre’s stories. They are so different from what I normally read but still have all the romance aspects that I enjoy reading. This novel, even though it has its drama and serious instants, it belongs with Alessandra’s lighter romance stories. It has that Hollywood Dirt vibe to it that I absolutely adored. It was funny, passionate and sentimental. And, although I would have loved seeing more of the happiness of Marco and Avery that we see in the end, I was very pleased of how this brilliant story ended.

- This. It’s all I ever wanted, but it’s so much more than ever I thought it would be. -

Therefore, I am rating Hidden Seams with 4.5 STARS because it definitely belongs with my other favorite books written by Alessandra Torre. This book and its characters were unique and extremely lovable. I’ve fallen in love with Marco and Avery and their striking love story (and their mind-blowing chemistry!). And since I am always greedy, I can’t wait to see what Alessandra is coming with next time. Highly recommend reading this wonderful novel!

Hidden Seams is not what it seems. It was a stellar book. I couldn't put it down. I loved the two main characters, the fire between them was amazing. And though it was kind of an Insta love thing, I didn't mind like I normally do. Avery and Marco were perfectly made for each other. The only thing I wished for was more of Vince's story. He was such a large part of the story without actually having much of his background.

Fashion…..it’s the driving force in this world. A culmination of creativity and originality that speaks to those on the runway and around the world. Vince Horace built his empire on the shoulders of the fashion world. Knowing all along the day would come when he would no longer be around to enjoy the fruit of his spoils. A world made more drool worthy in the eye of the public, Vince knew that he needed someone by his side through the madness that became a part of his fashion empire.

Marco Lent knew a thing or two about fashion. A living breathing testament to what can happen to a man that wants nothing more than to sit atop the throne of the clothing empire. Sometimes concessions must be made to achieve those dreams. A reality that Vince quickly discovered as the boy toy that sat beside of the man who graced that throne. A man of his own right, but one that keeps the deepest secrets. Marco has lived the lie that now leaves him a very wealthy man. The only question now is what will become of that empire when the world discovers it has all been a lie.



Where do I begin? Let me start by saying I generally try to make sure I don’t see any commentary about a book until I read it myself. The only information I had going into this reading was the blurb, and the author’s statement that this book was not as it seems (M/M romance). So – I was really excited to uncover what lies beneath the cover of Hidden Seams!!

The first 25% of the book was very ‘all over the place’. A mixture of ideas that weren’t working together with the ease and fluidity that Alessandra Torre is known for. The disconnect was so strong, that I found myself setting down my reader four different times so I wouldn’t misinterpret what was trying to come across within the chapters.

With so much disarray in the story…I let my mind wander. Thinking that Marco’s plot line which revolved around his life with Vince seemed to have a lot of similarities of a fashion mogul that was unforgettable in his own right. Then I saw the word that kept creeping into my head…… Versace. Once I read the name…I knew that my wonderings were for a ‘reason’. A culmination of trying to push the most rare of occurances and situations into this story to mimic hints from the reign of the fashion empire of Versace.

Then there is the plot revolving around Avery’s place in this homage to the illustrious life of the LGBT community in the fashion world. Did it make sense? Yes and No. While the plot definitely picked up and engaged me into this lives of the main characters, I had to wonder how one photo could connect Marco and Avery in the way that things occurred. Was it realistic? Absolutely NOT, but it did provide a way to connect two characters who otherwise would never cross paths. That’s the beauty of fiction!! Now…if you haven’t read the story….you will not understand my musings. I definitely cannot elaborate more because it would give away a big chunk of the story, and the last thing I want to do is giveaway too much.

There were times that I began to wonder if we were heading towards a ‘thriller’, but alas, that wasn’t to be the case. The ‘high’ of the book hit at the 75% mark or there about. From that point on, the quest to offer a HEA started the downward descent of the book. Two story plots that kind of ran simultaneously seemed to fizzle at the drop of a hat. In reality…..Avery’s story plot became quite unbelievable. A ‘walk away’ that definitely wouldn’t be so seamless in ‘real life’. The content started becoming a bit shifty to reach the ending of the journey that would wrap up Avery and Marco’s tale.

Then I uncover what it was all about. A move to give a ‘tie in’ so to speak to another novel by the author……Love In Lingerie. A quick cameo by characters from another book that really didn’t mesh with the overall dynamic of this tale. Containing more ‘fluff’ than substance at that point. A tie in that would have felt more ‘real’ if it had been contained in a Bonus Scene or Extra Content. A bit of a let down in the quest to make these two worlds mesh with ease.

Don’t get me wrong….for the ‘middle’ 50 percent of the book, the writing was creative and crafty. Something that was vivid when paired with your imagination. However – when you layout the book as a whole, it was an sensationalized version of two worlds that when combined seemed a bit ‘silly’ (for lack of a better word) and forced just to pull off the concept of Marco’s journey.

As a long time fan of Alessandra Torre’s – I am ‘trained’ to expect eloquent and flawless story plots that weave a web of seduction with the words written upon the pages. With a backlog of titles such as the Blindfold Innocence series, Black Lies, Hollywood Dirt, and Tight….Hidden Seams just fell into the category of ‘fluff’ when compared to the content that readers have come to expect from this author. As we all know in reading, what one person doesn’t ‘love with all their heart’ another reader shouts from the rooftops about! One thing is certain – Hidden Seams will definitely have you ‘talking’ about Marco and Avery!


*Amazon Review is being held 'hostage'*

Storyline: 5
Angst: 1
Tissue: 0
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 5
Over All Rating: 4.25 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley

With a death of Vince Horace, the fashion world has lost a great icon. Marco Lent has been by his side for ten years and is ready to take over in his place. As his only heir, he will follow Vince’s vision and carry on his legacy. But Avery McKenna throws a wrench in those plans when she claims to be a mysterious heir that no one knew about. Who is this lady in fashion challenged combat boots? All Marco knows is she needs to go.

“I don’t know what I expected, but I assumed, after that night we spent together there would be a small bit of affection between us, a familiarity that might smooth over our interchanges. Instead, he’s an exposed wire, hot with electricity and one step away from lighting everything on fire.”

I would never have dreamed up a story idea as unique as this one. I really was sucked into this story trying to figure out how this all would work out. Marco seemed really likeable to me even though he played the “bad guy” quite a bit. There was just something endearing about his relationship with Vince and all those years they shared together. I truly got the feeling that his heart was in the right place. Avery was just such a mystery to me as far as her motivation at first. She came across sketchy as hell. A little “too” street smart. But these two together? Swoon!!! I loved the banter and Vince’s wicked sense of humor. There were cute little reminders left around that really made me smile. The story really left me with a warm feeling at the end.

I love Alessandra Torre’s way of inserting those smart comedic moments in her story. I always find myself chuckling at some quirky scene that pops up with a crazy name or playful pillow talk. Definitely makes those books worth reading.

A unique story with a twist. Honestly, I couldn't connect with these characters at all.

Hidden Seams is a true modern day fairy tale. Keep that in mind while reading because like all fairy tales it is over the top and not very realistic BUT it’s a romance so unique and fresh I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed every hilarious, heartbreaking, surprise, sensual and romantic moment in it.

Marco has a secret he’s been keeping for a decade, one that can ruin him and everything he worked for. Avery is a former foster child with no clue who her father is, except for an old faded picture. As she hunts for the truth about her father, she crosses paths with Marco and sends his carefully constructed world into a tailspin. The chemistry between Marco and Avery is instantaneous and undeniable, not to mention SCORCHING! I fell in love with both Marco and Avery from the beginning, both are not examples of upstanding individuals but both are doing what they are for good reasons.

The entire cast in Hidden Seams is easily loved and has hilarious banter that flows between them.

Hidden Seams is a fun, sexy, unique book, a must read for anyone who loves romance.  Kudos to Ms. Torre for creating a modern day fairy tale that goes outside of the box and hits all the feels I love in a romance!