ARC #REVIEW The Role by Richard Pearson #RomHero #mmromance #theater

Title: The Role
Author: Richard Taylor Pearson
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: March 30, 2016
Publisher:  Lethe Press
Length: 256 pages

Description: Mason Burroughs is an actor on the verge of giving up after being turned away at audition after audition. But his life changes when he bumps into Kevin Caldwell, an old crush from acting school. Kevin helps Mason land a role that could make him the next Broadway star. However, as rehearsals begin, Mason learns that there’s a lot more drama than just what’s on stage. With a personal trainer claiming he can mold his body to resemble a Greek statue, an underhanded understudy waiting in the wings to replace him, a megalomaniacal director, and Kevin hellbent on breaking up Mason and his boyfriend, Mason must choose how much he is willing to sacrifice to make his Broadway dream a reality.


Amazon US Amazon UK


OUR REVIEW

Well written and captivating, The Role is an intriguing behind the scenes view of Broadway theater. Mason Burroughs is a struggling actor who lands the role of a lifetime with the help of an old crush, Kevin Caldwell. The two will play gay lovers, something Mason had always hoped they'd be. But things are different now. Mason has moved on. He has a boyfriend, Eric, whom he loves.

Kevin grabs me, pulling me close, and begins to ferociously invade my mouth with his tongue. I try to pull away, banging my fists on his compact chest, but he has no problem overpowering me. [...] Just as I'm about to try biting down, Kevin releases me and tosses me on the side of the bed.

"What was that?" I shout, rubbing my aching jaw.

"A congratulatory gift. I got you the job, now you can give me on. You know, quid pro quo and all that," he says, grabbing his crotch.

"Wait...what?"

"Normally, I'd expect more than a blowjob, but since we're old friends..."

 Part of Mason's training involves getting more fit so he can better portray his character. He is becoming the man, the actor, he always wanted to be. Because of his crazy hours that conflict with Eric's the two are drifting apart. In the meantime, Mason and Kevin's personal relationship starts to mirror that of their characters. The line between fantasy and reality starts to blur.

Holding his face between my hands, I kiss him with renewed vigor, managing to not only match his intensity but eclipse it, pushing him to keep up. No longer concerned with just his pleasure, I guide his hands to my ass, showing him how much I want him. the music that was barely audible before, now seems to swell as the light drains from the room, but even as we are consumed by the shadows, I know this moment has forever altered us.

"Hold," a voice cries out, followed by a great murmur of voices and a soft sound of applause. Light returns, illuminating the stage and reminding me that I am in a play, that none of this is real. The intensity of being Caleb is hard to let go of, and it takes me a few minutes to remember who I was before rehearsal began.

For the first time in his life, Mason can have everything he's ever wanted--the career, the money, the man. But where does that leave Eric?

If you enjoy the workings of theater and are fascinating with actors taking on a persona to play a role, The Role is the perfect story for you.

OUR RATING: 4 stars!