Rating: 3.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Leslie has watched all of his friends find their true loves, and while he doesn’t begrudge them their happiness, he wouldn’t mind finding his own. After a fashion show, which Leslie had to attend for work, Leslie comes across good fortune in the disguise of work when his boss sends him out to deliver one of her designer suits. To his surprise, Leslie finds that the VIP customer is none other than Leslie’s wet dream turned recluse.
Oliver Brown, aka porn star Nicky Starr, lives a quiet life. He has ever since the wreck that left him scarred and an outcast to the industry that once prized him. He has limited contact with the outside world other than his occasional booty call, best friend, and the deliveries he receives from his favorite designer. Then Leslie storms into his life.
At first, Oliver is wary about contact with Leslie, but he can’t stop thinking about the guy. And Leslie isn’t one to back off of something he wants. As Leslie draws Oliver out of his shell, Oliver begins to believe he’s found what he’s been missing for so long. But the past was bound to catch up with him. With an ex and insecurities staring him in the face, Oliver must make a decision—choose Leslie or curl back into his shell.
For the final week of the Reading Challenge, no one who knows me will be surprised to find that I chose to pick a book related to the Favorite Cross Dressing Heroes list. This is maybe one of my favorite tropes of all time, whether it be a character who wears his desire for all to see, or whether it’s a man who wears lacy, silky, dainty lingerie beneath. I will tell you that the underwear thing is probably my favorite, but that’s a tale for another day.
This book is a bit of a Beauty and the Beast remade sort of story, complete with a beauty and scarred hero. Suit Yourself is not my first foray into cross-dressing characters. But, to be honest, because I’m me, no one will be surprised to find that I chose this book because of the cover and because of its cross-dressing benefits. Though I do have to say that the cross-dressing aspect is not a focal point or kink here. It has more to do with Leslie’s position working for a fashion designer and what makes him feel comfortable and sexy. Which that in itself makes his character all the more sexy.
The pros of the characters are that they are likable. Leslie is pushy and fun. He’s a bright light in a gloomy world. Oliver is the broken part of this story. He has a painful past that is almost debilitating for him and he needs Leslie to heal him. I like that even when he tries to push Leslie away, Leslie finds a way to creep back into his life.
My issues with Leslie and Oliver are that they weren’t always consistent. Mostly in the first half of the book and mostly Oliver. At times, he would show this skittish side and on the turn of a dime he’d be growly and jealous. I didn’t like it.
At times the dialogue read woody and forced while the inner monologue became a little too much. As in the characters talked out loud to themselves often throughout the course of this book. I get that this is more likely a personal issue, but it happened a few too many times for my liking to the point of irritation.
As for the story, it’s good, even better after the 50% mark. I’ll be honest in saying that the first half was a bit difficult for me to get through, but once Leslie and Oliver caught their stride, so did the story. And the conflict was engaging to a point that actually had me raising my rating. By the end, I was glad I forced my way passed the quibbles the first half of the book presented.
Overall, Suit Yourself is a good book. I can’t overlook all of the foibles, but even with them, I found myself enjoying the story as a whole. As a cross-dressing story, it probably wouldn’t make my favorites list, but it was good and well worth the read.
Note: Suit Yourself is the third book in the Men of London series. It can be read as a standalone.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for Favorites List Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win this week’s fabulous prize of books and swag from Samhain Publishing, as well as our amazing grand prize sponsored by Riptide Publishing. You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on Favorites List Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
Interesting that it gets better in the latter half…that doesn’t happen too often! I don’t have the patience I used to these days, though. The premise seems compelling, so maybe it’s one of those things I’d have to judge for myself.
Thanks for the review! I, too, like the cover of this book and was drawn to it because of that. However, inconsistency in books or movies really gets under my skin. So, I will probably pass on this one or put it on the maybe list.
Great review, Crissy! I must recognise cross dressing is not my kink, but the beauty and the beast side of the story undoubtedly makes me interested. After all, that’s my favourite fairy tale. I haven’t read any Susann Mac Nicol story yet, but I think this one may become my first.
Thank you for the review!
Thanks for a thoughtful review that includes both the positive and negative of the book. I like the clever title, and parts of the book sound intriguing, but I don’t think it’s quite to my taste.
I’ve read Susan MacNichol before & had some irritation with the writing style, but would be willing to give this one a chance. I tend to like hurt/comfort type stories & am finding I like a little cross-dressing kink as well. Thanks for your review.
Lisa, I have to agree… that’s one thing I neglected to mention in my review that I had in my notes… the sheer amount of inner dialogue and the way the characters actually talking to themselves became redundant and lazy after a while. And gah… I have a boat load of cross-dressing books… I lean toward sexy underwear, but I’m not averse to outerwear 🙂
I love Susan Mac Nicol’s writing and character development so I’m looking forward to reading this one. Lacy underwear isn’t my kink but scarred characters definitely is.
I couldn’t think of any cross dressing books that I’ve read until I looked at the list and found Merchant of Death,Canning the Center and Blind Space, and I think I read one by Victor Banis that had a cross dresser but that was a long time ago so I could be wrong. I wouldn’t say cross dressing is my thing, but I’ve enjoyed the books I’ve read. Thanks for the review. 🙂
Thanks for the review. Cross dressing is not something I’d usually want to read about. I expect that will probably remain the case. I’m not sure if I would like to read this one.
Thanks for your review! This sounds intriguing, though the issues you mentioned might irritate me as well. Have to consider this one.
I don’t think I’ve ever picked out a book for its cross-dressing aspect, but what a cool favorite to have, Crissy! Now that you mention it, I’m wondering why I haven’t sought out more. I need to do that. As for this book, I think I’ve read Susan MacNicol once, but I have a few of her books that I’m looking forward to reading. Keeping in mind what you’ve said about this one, I’m inclined to read it and maybe skim judiciously in the first half. Hey, I’ve met people in real life that the first few times I’ve talked to them, they weren’t exactly sparking for me but then the longer I knew them the more fun they got. Sometimes books are like that, too. 🙂
Carolyn, definitely check out our Cross Dressing list if you are interested in reading some. Crissy and I are both HUGE fans of this theme so we have some good ones on there!
I will! Thanks for telling me about it, because honestly how many times did I look at the list of favorite lists in preparation for this week and not see it there. I think it’s because I have my own favorites and was just looking for those, my eyes skimming by the others. Now I’m looking forward to delving in!
Carolyn, JJ is right I have such an extensive list of cross-dressing books… love them so much… and JJ always messages me with new ones. I have this thing 😉
Thanks Crissy, for an informative and interesting review! I don’t mind a cross dressing hero my self, and I confess that the cover caught my eye quite effectively here. Neither do I mind the beauty and the beast theme, but when you say it took you almost half the story to really catch your interest … hmm, maybe not; I’m a very lazy reader. But because of its theme I will keep it in mind for when the mood strikes.
I love this list! How did I miss it the first time around? This was not my favorite book of the series, but it had my favorite character, Leslie. I just love his confidence. Thanks for the review.
Two of my favorites in this book review: crossdressing and Beauty and the Beast.You’ve hooked me with just those two descriptions, lol. Thank you for the review ^^
OMG, me too! Sucker for both of those tropes!
SO MUCH!
Great review. I have read the book. I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t my favorite of Ms MacNichols. I didn’t feel a connection with the characters like I thought I would.
Hmm, I believe I’ve read quite a few cross dressing heroes before… I know I read one just recently though I don’t recall the title. I’m sorry this one wasn’t quite what you were expecting but I’m glad you found something you were interested in!
Thanks for the review! The book sounds good and I like this author so I’ll read it anyway when I have more time to read a whole series. Not to mention I love anything related to Beauty and the Beast themes. 🙂
I love the cover, and the story sounds interesting. Sounds like it has a few little issues, but might be worth the read anyway.
Yay! One that I have read. I loved the book. I thought it was entertaining.