Redesigning Max

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angela – ☆☆☆☆
I enjoyed Redesigning Max a lot more than What’s in a Name? While I could have used a few more scenes focusing on Fredi and Max’s developing relationship, I found both men to be more interesting characters, especially Fredi. He introduces himself as a successful architect and interior designer who’s more than willing to turn up his twink dial – adding a bit more swish and exaggerating his lisp – to seal the deal on a new contract. As if that weren’t enough for me to adore him, his refusal to back down from bullies and his ability to have his own back were the icing on the cake and the cherry on top. Add in Max, who is not what he appears and is everything Fredi didn’t know he needed, and I was far more entertained during this visit to the Sierra Foothills – even if the homophobia was more blatant and more dangerous than in book one.

One of the things that made Redesigning Max fun was that the differences between Fredi and Max that are so obvious at the start of the book are soon outshined by the unexpected shared interests the two have. Fredi makes it clear that he is not an outdoorsman, yet he and Max share a love of birdwatching and it’s that shared love which elevates his designs for Max’s redecoration. Even though there is an immediate attraction, Max’s inexperience and Fredi’s “No Dating Clients” rule means the guys take some time getting to know one another instead of jumping straight into bed. In spite of this, the reader (or listener) is still only provided a few scenes that are deep enough to connect with the characters fully. Ugh! I’m not saying this right. I really liked both Fredi and Max, and I was invested in their relationship and them building a future together, but it’s as if Henshaw planned a bigger story than the novella format allowed for, so we didn’t get to delve as deep into the relationship as I would have liked. In addition to the romance, there is a romantic suspense element that heightens then tension a bit. The romantic suspense thread was well-telegraphed, but considering this is a novella, it would have been difficult for the author to build much mystery into it, so Henshaw relies on the crime itself and the characters’ confusion over who could have done such a thing as the means of building the tension – and it worked out very nicely.

For me, David Ross’ narrative performance got better from book one to book two. Perhaps the characters posed more of a challenge or maybe Ross was more comfortable with the tone of the series, but whatever it was, I LOVED the sassy vulnerability he infused in Fredi and the scared excitement of Max. Both men felt more realistic and like people I’d enjoying spending time with. I’m not sure what else to say except that I’m hoping to have a chance to listen to book three, Behr Facts, as I’m not quite ready to say goodbye to the Sierra Foothills.

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free audiobook copy of Redesigning Max (Foothills Pride #2) by Pat Henshaw, narrated by David Ross to listen to and review.

\"Some days I can barely lift my hands for another “Oh. My. God! Look. At. You. Girl!” Some days my inner bitch claws to get out. Some days I wonder if any of us can possibly be sane enough to cross the street by ourselves.\"
I absolutely adored twink extraordinaire, Fredi, when I met him during Jimmy and Guy's book. He made me laugh a lot, and I sure needed that. Still do, as a matter of fact, which is why I grabbed 'Redesigning Max' so I could see exactly what Fredi could do with a real man's man, just recently out. *grins*
Max and Fredi meet when Max comes looking for someone to redo his mountain cabin. Of course, Max didn't really understand what a true interior designer can do for you. He just assumed Fredi would look at it, come up with a plan, get it done, and Max would pay for it. Max didn't realize he had to actually answer questions! About himself! About what he wanted! Oh, it was almost too much. Although, when Fredi pulled out his hanky to cover his nose before he walked into the cabin/charnel house, I had to put the book down to get a good laugh.
There's more to this story and these men, though, than just a lot of laughs. Max moved to the area as a young boy after his parents died and his aunt and uncle took him in. They already had four boys, all older than Max, and Max was just left to survive. No wonder he's shy and doesn't say much. It also explains why he's never come out, never dated, never even kissed another man. Fredi might be out and proud, a practically famous architect and designer, but he's not used to dealing with true emotions, and falling in love with Max is about as true as it can get.
Another delightful addition to the series, Max and Fredi’s story is sweet, loving, very light on the heat, a little angst, and a lot of laughs. Thank you, Pat, for a most enjoyable read!.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

I want to start this review by copy/ pasting the author note to this story:
During the recession at the beginning of the 21st Century, many gays & lesbians moved from San Francisco Bay area & Sacramento to the Sierra Foothills FLAG (Foothills Lesbian and Gays) was formed. This series was written for them.
It's not part of this story, it's the entire explanation of how it's come to be. I love that. That said Max and Fredi's story is sweet, but there's such bitterness, and hate in this story for our MC's. It goes to show no matter how things progress, how laws are made, how rights are given, there's still oppression. People who will refuse to accept what is. Fredi and Max live in the real world. A world that they have to survive but they have a very strong love and it was a pleasure to read them.
This is the first time I read Pat Henshaw and it was an absolute delight.

I loved book one of this series, so I was so excited to read book 2, and boy did it live up to my expectations! Pat Henshaw has a way of bringing her characters to life that is both fascinating and exciting!
I was so glad Freddie got his own book, I really needed him too ;)! Freddie gets an offer from Outdoor Store owner Max to renovate his cabin and Freddie pegs Max and straight and therefore off the table right off, but he shouldn't be so quick to judge, because in this one Max will surprise him over and over.
I really love Max and the way that, though he looks a certain way, and people know him as a good ol boy and think he is straight, when he meets Freddie, he isn't afraid to act like he likes him, even in front of people who he knows won't approve!
Can Freddie believe Max really wants him, and can these men come together in the midst of hate minded people that want nothing more than to tear them apart?
Oh yes, you sooooo have to read this one, and if you haven't read book 1, What's In A Name, I will leave the link to the review I did of that one a while ago so you can check it out too! Thanks Pat, for giving Freddie the story he deserved and doing it with style!!