Crossing the Line by M.D. Saperstein & Andria Large

 Parker Hamilton - movie star! That's what the world knows about me. Oscar winner, prominent bloodline, playboy. But there is so much more to me. My friends are my real family, and they are what matters most. But I’d be lying if I said that I’m not concerned about my reputation. Everyone who lives in the spotlight is.

Listen, I can play any role - drama, comedy, romance. You name it. I can act my ass off, and I have the proof on a shelf in my office. But when my agent calls me into his office to offer me the role of a lifetime, I am hesitant. Not only would I have to act opposite Chance Steele, the most egotistical schmuck I know, but we would also have to pretend to be intimate. Really intimate. As in gay lovers.

Now, don’t get me wrong; I am as open-minded as they come. People can love whom they want, screw whom they want, even marry whom they want. But when you ask me to make out with a dude, pretend to roll around in a bed with him, well, that’s where I draw the line. Maybe.

Sometimes lines are blurry. And sometimes lines are just meant to be crossed.

Crossing the Line is book 3 of the Taboo Love series and picks up where Unmasking Charlotte left off. As withHey There, Delilah and Unmasking Charlotte, it is a standalone - so don’t worry if you haven’t read them yet - with a HEA. That means no cliffhanger! Oh, and expect to see some of your favorite characters.

With each book this series gets better and better, and it was pretty dang good from the start. With Nick and Delilah’s story, the authors addressed the taboo of boss and employee relationships. They then weaved a beautiful tale of interracial relationships with Charlie and Calvin’s story. In Crossing the Line, Ms. Saperstein and Ms. Large tackle the taboo of same sex relationships and round out the gang with Parker’s story. And who better to be Parker’s love interest than the actor he does not get along with, Chance Steele. It truly is a fine line between love and hate.

As Parker is close friends with Nick and Calvin, he has been a fixture in the previous books. Despite this, the reader discovers just how little they knew about Parker as his story unfolds. While we knew he was an actor, the level of disdain his family (excluding his grandmother) has for his career choice was unreal. I have to say that I loved that Chance realized that his childhood belief that having any family was better than having no family was patently incorrect after accompanying Parker to his grandmother’s 100^th birthday. Parker’s family is atrocious, which is why he is so close to his “family” of friends. And Chance finds himself drawn into this circle of friends after a fight between him and Parker causes their boss to sentence them to spend time together and work on their animosity – otherwise they would be fired from the film. As neither of them wanted to lose their role in the movie, they begrudgingly begin to spend time together and become friends. As they are playing lovers in the film, Chance suggests to Parker that they “practice” kissing and groping so that they’re more comfortable on film. After initial refusals, Parker relents and their “practice” becomes more heated until eventually they become intimate. I have to agree with Delilah, the idea of Parker and Chance together, well “That’s hot!” and they deliver repeatedly.

As Crossing the Line is about the developing relationship between Parker and Chance that is still considered taboo by some segments of our society, the couple faces multiple obstacles – including themselves – as they try to find their way. Because the series revolves around the three guys’ friendship, we get to catch up with Nick & Delilah and Calvin & Charlie’s relationships and there’s plenty going on on both fronts. While the Epilogue was over-top dramatic, it was perfect for Parker and Chance and I loved it! I really hope that the authors write at least one more book in this series as I would love to see how everyone’s lives continue to play out. 

I love this series so much and I am SO sad it is over.  I feel a connection to all of the characters in this series and I want to know more about their lives now that they have found their loves. 

While this book concentrated on Parker, both previous couples had large parts as well.  I felt so sorry for Parker as he was struggling with his feelings for Chance, he was already alienated from his family and did not want to lose his friends too.  Chance seemed like he was in a better place emotionally to deal with “coming out” but they both had some trust issues to work through in my opinion.

I think this book was a little rushed.  I really wanted to see more of the public reactions to the actors coming out and to see them deal with adversity for the first time together.  I just wanted to get more of a feel for them as a couple once they had overcome a lot of their obstacles.

This was a wonderful series and I would love to read more about all of the characters in this series even if it is just a holiday novella! Can’t wait to read more books from this duo!

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