While looking through Linda Kage's page I realized I have not rated or review this book yet. I had to right this because this is one of my all time favorities! 
 I found this book through Goodreads' book recommendations. Initially on reading the blurb I wasn't sure what to think. A gigola male lead? But I was rewarded with a rich moving story that had the right amount of angst, sweetness and humour. Overall an uplifting read because of the witty banter and the way our two characters cared for each other, as friends first. From the first page I was hooked. These two had wonderful chemistry for two people who Linda kept physically platonic until well into the novel. 
 Reese our heroine spots Mason on one of her first day as a freshmen in college and is oggling him from a distance but is warned off by her cousin that her eye candy is a gigola. Tbis puts him off limits so they start out as friends. Mason actually has few friends in school and is a bit of a loner. Rumours of his job precedes him. He is doing it to support his family (his mom and sister who has MS) so he feels he has little choice to escape. 
 And for those who are iffy about the physical aspect of our hero's job let me reassure you it's ok to read on: (view spoiler)[Nothing starts between the two physically until Mason had stopped taking clients. Although later on Mason is blackmailed into 1 single incident it was not his choice, and Reese was well aware of it beforehand. I normally really hate cheating in books but done this way I think it was uncomfortable but didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book. It was clear Mason didn't want to do it. (hide spoiler)] 
 Linda's work is consistently good but this remains my favourite of the series because of the wit. I love both characters and it was lovely to see them in later books too.