Allison ❤️Will Never Conquer Her TBR❤️'s Reviews > Painted Faces

4.5 "Boy, this book didn't DRAG" stars!



Wow, if you're looking for a different kind of read, this book delivers! The unusual love story of drag-queen and a modest, rather inexperienced girl. I know, I know, I can hear you now! Ewe! It is a bit weird on the surface. Have faith, I shall explain.



Nicholas lost his mother at a very young age. He has only videos reminding of her beauty and stage pretense. She was a singer and was at the tops in her day. His father basically ruined her....dying of a plethora of drug combinations from depression. When Nicholas stumbles upon her dresses and shoes in the basement, he can help but dress up in her clothing, dancing around like she did so many years ago. He can't explain it....he just felt that connection to sing and dance and look pretty. Is he gay? Absolutely not. Although he does suffer from bigotry with people assuming he's bisexual at the very least. Life is not easy for Nicholas.



Freda runs into her new neighbor one day while coming home from a downpour rain. He's stunningly handsome, dressed to the tee in designer trousers and tailored shirt. This is a nice change from all the dead beat neighbors her and her friend Nora have endured over the years. This neighbor, Nicholas, and she hit it off. She's his new Dublin BFF. He invites her and her friends to watch him sing Cabaret at the local club. Little did "Fred" know Nicholas is also "Vivian." He's stunning as a man and even more beautiful dressed as a woman....and his voice! So much for that love interest, she thinks.

Nicholas is not gay. He proves it time and again in this book. He immediately is drawn to the "heavier" of the two roommates (that part drove me nuts- a size 10 US). Freda was surprised at his choice of work but she never passes judgment and she see's Nicholas as the attractive guy she met on her doorstep that rainy night. Seeing him in drag does nothing to lesson her attraction. She even agrees to be his personal assistant to spend more time with him.



What an unconventional relationship. Did it throw me? Yes. I actually had kind of a hard time grasping his masculinity. He was hot to hook up with Freda and she saw his noncommittal nature with women so she fought it most of the book. There's tags saying this is erotica. Um, not in the least. In fact "the deed" doesn't even occur until late so if that's your thing, look elsewhere. I loved the story. I loved Nicholas and Freda's sense of humor throughout the book. There are some serious laugh out loud parts in her commentary. Their relationship is about as unusual as it comes. I felt the chemistry however, the whole makeup, knickers, heels and strappy dresses on "Viv" killed that lady boner for sure. So if you're looking for something entertaining and different, this book delivers 100%. If you're looking for a hot guy to swoon over, I hope you like dresses and wigs. Although he does dress completely masculine except on stage. So go forth and read. It was a nice mix up from the day to day romance genre.



Loved the Dublin-isms! Lady garden? Ha ha ha.