When Love Takes Over

Oh my gosh! Oh Lordy I loved this book! Jacob Z. Flores takes me places with his writing. His characters are so true and the situations are so believable.

I adored the klutzy Zach. The poor guy had no sense of himself, fashion or well much of anything.
Van was a character I related to on so many levels, how he wore his heart on his sleeve for one and not doing very well in the past with relationships.
Their initial meeting was so bloody brilliant I couldn't stop laughing because sadly I could see myself as Zach in the situation. One thing wrong after the other like a major domino effect, yet somehow that somehow endeared Zach to Van and vice versa.

I love gay romance novels but for me the sex scenes usually make me wonder how the guys could get in that position or why the heck are they doing that type of thing. Jacob Z. Flores writes sexual scenes that are totally believable for me anyway. If you don't get somewhat aroused ........I know; well TMI!!!

I've put the rest of the Provincetown series on my TBR list and always look forward to opening on of Mr. Flores books. They suck me right in... ;) Pun intended!

Happy Reading!

I was so excited to start my very first Jacob Z. Flores book. Truly, I'm not sure you understand. He's been on my wish lists for quite a while but I hadn't gotten around to him. Finally, I decided to begin his 'Provincetown' series with the first book 'When Love Takes Over'. I can tell you from the first sentence I adored Zach. Something about his daydreaming, slightly scattered self hit true with me, and that, folks, is all she wrote. The fact his ex dumped him so meanly right off the bat just made me want to hug him and make everything better. Well, that, and do something nasty and reprehensible to the ex. *grins* On a side note let me just say how very much I loved the rhythm of the author's writing straight from the get go.
Zach has lost himself. He's not even sure he recognizes this person anymore and his spur of the moment trip to Provincetown is his attempt to find that person, who wasn't a doormat, inside himself again. Van created his porn star alter-ego a while ago in order to hide himself. Now, he isn't sure why he's been feeling so lonely and restless just because his fans only see the porn star and Van wants someone to really see \"Van\". Who could've guessed that the real Zach he's been hiding from all these years and keeping in control is just the man that Van needs to see?
It was interesting to watch these lost souls find each other. Van's history of severe rejection and debasement by prior boyfriends is what ultimately led him to doing porn. Van wants to be needed as much as he needs the other person. Zach spent his whole life trying to be perfect in his father's eyes. When his father's true nature was revealed, Zach's family fell apart, and Zach was left adrift no longer sure of what he was doing. When Zach's three year relationship ended he realized how long it has been since he let his true desires and feelings have free rein. Maybe P-town is where it can all happen for both Van and Zach? But, what happens when the week is up and it's time for Zach to go home and for Van to get back to work?
I absolutely 100 percent loved this book. I fell head over heels in love with Zach, Van, all the cast and characters, and, most importantly, I fell in love with Provincetown. I might have also fallen just a bit for the author. Anyone who can tell me such a wonderful story, brilliant in its simplicity, and written in a beautifully lyrical manner, deserves to be loved. Thank you, Jacob, you made my day.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

The blurb is accurate so I won't repeat it here.
This is the first book I've read by Jacob Flores but it won't be the last. This story is fun, it's sad, it's wacky, it's unrealistic to my mind but also, it may be one of the most realistic books I've read. That's what made it so enjoyable for me; one minute I thought it was completely over the top and the next minute I was wondering if it was actually very true to life.
All I know is that there will be more books in the Provincetown setting and I can't wait to read them.

I liked this book. You really get a sense of place here, I almost felt that I was in P-town at times. Even though in truth the relationship happened quickly it felt like there was nice build up, at least for this environment. I enjoyed both Van and Zach together and individually, which is always nice when a character can stand on their own and interact well with others. I definitely look forward to more stories about P-town from this author.

\"What happens in P-town is supposed to happen. This is a special place, It changes people's lives. The problems and worries that you bring with you don't mean as much.\"
Zach has been dumped. He is lacking self confidence, shy, clumsy and with a poor image of himself. He is re-evaluating his life, wanting to get back into his writing and Provincetown provides his escape.
For Zach, P-town is like the ultimate fantasy escape. Under the guidance of new friends Gary and Quinn, he undergoes a makeover and starts to experience a side of life that is very new to him - parties, drinking, dancing, sex...
Van has lived in Provincetown for years. His bad experiences with love have resulted in him escaping into his porn star persona and protecting himself by not getting emotionally involved.
Van is attracted to the pre-makeover version of Zach, the slightly geeky and sweet man, who seems quite different to the typical men he encounters so is disappointed to see Zach behaving in party-boy fashion. Zach is instantly attracted to Van. He makes the most of what Provincetown has to offer but can't stop thinking of him.
Over the course of Zach's holiday (yes, the romance is a quick one), Van and Zach come to mean a lot to each other but the road to true love is fraught with emotional ups and downs.
The story has quite an emotional element which is interestingly set against a backdrop of casual partying and good times. It delivers a strong message of love and acceptance. Zach comes to understand that he doesn't need to change, that he is worthy of love exactly as he is and that Van's career choice doesn't impact how he feels about him.
The secondary characters in the book are fabulous, the setting is gay man's paradise and the sex is lots and sizzling! The whole Provincetown location had a real 'fantasy island' feel so it was easy to accept the insta-love and the grand-gesture happy ending.