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A review by kaje_harper
Son of Money by Brandon Witt
5.0
4.5 stars. I'm binging on Brandon Witt's books, because of his combination of realistic guys, good writing, and a bit of drama which, even in this messed-up-family set-up, doesn't quite descend to melodrama. His stories hit the spot for me. In this book we find Randall, the second son of a very wealthy man, who was disinherited, but not completely disowned, when he decided to go into photography instead of studying business. He has an older half-brother, and their relationship is fraught, because Randall's mother was the home-wrecker who stole away their father.
Randall makes his money with photography, both portraiture of children and erotic photos of men, and with a side business in massage. In the erotic and massage ventures, if a client is up for a little fun, Randall's always ready to enjoy sex as well, although he never charges for it. He never sleeps with a client he doesn't like, and doesn't consider himself to be selling the sex, but isn't hung up on the distinction. He does keep his erotic adventures quiet, though, because as much as he wouldn't mind ditching his cold father, his controlling mother, and that antagonistic half-brother, he also has a sister-in-law he cares about and a small niece he adores.
For Bailey's sake, he's willing to attend family gatherings and abide by the many unwritten rules of his family life. For Bailey's sake, when she's denied a pet, he also takes on a Humane Society dog - and in so doing lets love into his life. Both from Harper, the ugliest dog with the biggest little heart, and from Noah, his teenage first love who turns out to be back and working as the HS spokesperson. For a moment, with work and a dog and a new/old boyfriend, and Bailey's visits, Randall wonders if he can have it all.
But then his erotic adventures are anonymously laid bare in the press, in the worst possible light. He's called a whore, and worse, and his right to even see his niece hangs in the balance. And things are about to get worse. His beloved dog Harper will stick to his side, but how can he ask Noah to weather this storm? Will he even survive the crash of so many dreams in a tawdry mess of accusations he can't find a way to fight, as his businesses take the hit too?
Fortunately, Randall's sister-in-law won't give up on him. In the midst of betrayal, he has good friends, and reasons to hope. The story shows how fast media rumors and unproven stories can damage a life, and how hard it is to rebound. The resolution is sweet, an underlying mystery is no surprise, but resolves in a satisfactory way, and the dogs are adorable. And if it takes a bit of optimism to quite believe how it works out, it's still a very enjoyable story, and will be a comfort reread.
Randall makes his money with photography, both portraiture of children and erotic photos of men, and with a side business in massage. In the erotic and massage ventures, if a client is up for a little fun, Randall's always ready to enjoy sex as well, although he never charges for it. He never sleeps with a client he doesn't like, and doesn't consider himself to be selling the sex, but isn't hung up on the distinction. He does keep his erotic adventures quiet, though, because as much as he wouldn't mind ditching his cold father, his controlling mother, and that antagonistic half-brother, he also has a sister-in-law he cares about and a small niece he adores.
For Bailey's sake, he's willing to attend family gatherings and abide by the many unwritten rules of his family life. For Bailey's sake, when she's denied a pet, he also takes on a Humane Society dog - and in so doing lets love into his life. Both from Harper, the ugliest dog with the biggest little heart, and from Noah, his teenage first love who turns out to be back and working as the HS spokesperson. For a moment, with work and a dog and a new/old boyfriend, and Bailey's visits, Randall wonders if he can have it all.
But then his erotic adventures are anonymously laid bare in the press, in the worst possible light. He's called a whore, and worse, and his right to even see his niece hangs in the balance. And things are about to get worse. His beloved dog Harper will stick to his side, but how can he ask Noah to weather this storm? Will he even survive the crash of so many dreams in a tawdry mess of accusations he can't find a way to fight, as his businesses take the hit too?
Fortunately, Randall's sister-in-law won't give up on him. In the midst of betrayal, he has good friends, and reasons to hope. The story shows how fast media rumors and unproven stories can damage a life, and how hard it is to rebound. The resolution is sweet, an underlying mystery is no surprise, but resolves in a satisfactory way, and the dogs are adorable. And if it takes a bit of optimism to quite believe how it works out, it's still a very enjoyable story, and will be a comfort reread.