Redesigning MaxRating: 3.75 stars
Buy Link:
Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella


Fredi Zimer is an out and proud interior designer whose works have graced magazines. When Max Greene, owner of Greene’s Outdoors, approaches him to remodel his rustic cabin, Fredi isn’t sure why the hunky giant who favors flannel and earthtone colors would want a designer who favors silk and bold colors.

When Max comes on to Fredi, Fredi realizes that Max may not be as straight as he seems. As he revamps Max’s cabin, Max begins revamping himself into the person he was truly meant to be. Yet, as Max begins knocking down the closet walls, those around him are determined to shove him back in the closet to save his soul.

This is the second book in the Foothill’s Pride series. It can be read as a standalone. Abe, the main character from the first in the series, What’s In a Name, makes a cameo appearance in this story.

This is one of those books that is heavy on the stereotypes, yet you can’t put it down. Fredi is an over-the-top gay man who has realized that the gayer he acts, the more business he brings in. As he narrates the story, we get glimpses of his inner thoughts, which I have to say are hilarious! Max, on the other hand, has led the life of a straight man, complete with having been engaged to a woman. Built like a lumberjack, dressed like a frontiersman, living in a house that lacks anything that could be construed as décor, Fredi assumes Max is straighter than an arrow. Until Max tells Fredi that he’s gay and attracted to him.

Fredi has had a few problems in the past with fraternizing with a client and insists that the two of them engage in a business only relationship until the cabin remodel is complete. Over the next few months, the two engage in a getting-to-know you relationship without benefits. The two realize that maybe they have more things in common than they realized.

In the meantime, Max and Fredi have to face down bigotry and homophobia coming from the conservative members of the town. While some are willing to stand up for Max and Fredi, others are determined to save their souls at any cost.

This is a sweet read…meaning, if you are looking for sexy scenes, you aren’t going to find them. Despite the sexual tension building between these two, the bedroom door is firmly shut and the lights are off!

My main complaint about the book is that it was a bit corny when it came to what Max and Fredi had in common. While some may see it as “fate” bringing them together, it came across as implausible.

Overall, this was a cute story that had me laughing quite a bit. If you want a fun, quick read, this is the book for you.

A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.

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