Eric Jerome Dickey has done it again! Although my writer crush has passed on, his words and his work will forever live on. So glad I had the chance to meet this writer icon in person three times.
Anyway, let’s dive into this novel. As soon as I turned the first page, I knew I was settling in for ride that would be sensual, bumpy, full of drama, and satisfying. So, let’s meet Brick, Dwayne and André – the Duquesne brothers. Brick is struggling to return to his white-collar job as a project manager after dealing with health issues and a breakup with his girlfriend, Coretta. Dwayne has just been fired from his latest acting role and struggling to get by after paying child support while dealing with Frenchie, his son’s mother. And Andre, well…he is a rising comedian and enjoying life.
While Brick is trying to get over his breakup, he decides to act as a chauffeur-bodyguard for his neighbor, Penny who is working as an escort to pay her way through college. Penny then introduces Brick to her escort friends: Christiana, an attorney from Cuba struggling to make a new life in the US and Mocha Latte, an out of work electrical engineer at a crossroad in her career. Christiana and Mocha Latte having no fixed address after losing their apartment decided to stay with Penny until Brick’s apartment became the place to be. All sleeping in the same bed, sharing stories, and Mocha Latte making blueberry pancakes for breakfast.
Dwayne, on the other hand, has been couch surfing wherever he can and living out of his car. He is concerned about Fela, his 16-year-old son who sent him disturbing text messages saying he’s hungry and living with no lights and water for months. Dwayne is also mad at his son’s mother, Frenchie but also still attracted to her. Quite the dilemma.
Overall, this was a fantastic read with EJD having me reach for my dictionary (I look forward to this all the time). The dialogue was realistic and the banter between Brick and the other characters and clients were intellectually stimulating. I really enjoyed meandering through the streets of LA with these characters, learning of their past loves, their hurts, their clients, their aspirations, their joys, their wants, and their needs. Each sex scene with Brick especially his three-level orgasm was scorchingly hot (EJD was a master of writing these scenes).
I also loved that Brick didn’t judge anyone and saw them for who they truly are. I admired that although he tried being an escort and thought he found love with a client he knew when to pull back to protect his heart and his sanity. Family was also important to him (well except for maybe Duquesne Sr. who was a hot mess). I was happy that things worked out for Dwayne, Frenchie and Fela. But more importantly, when Brick finally found love it was a beautiful thing.
Oh, before I wrap up, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing enforcers Ken Swift and Jake Ellis (Brick’s neighbors and characters from Bad Men and Wicked Women and Before We Were Wicked) appear in this novel. They were at Home Depot buying chainsaws, shovels, and plastic. Loved it!
Two thumbs way up from an EJD Fan!
Some of my favorite lines:
“Brick,
you’re only a chauffeur and not in the other special parts of the business?”
“What special parts?
“There are amazing women, rich women who just don’t have time to date, or don’t feel likedoing the work, but want to find a good-looking, fit lover they can spend quality time with. I have made contacts along the way.”
“So, you
have a client list that consists of male miscreants and wayward women.”
“LA is the
perfect place for this profession. Women come to LA on business, are here for
only a night, maybe only for an afternoon, and love to have the boyfriend
experience. They are women of power and means.”
She pulled out her phone, showed me pictures of women. Schoolteachers. Housewives. Politicians.
Rating: 5
stars
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