Dear Mister President by Adam Fitzroy

Title: Dear Mister President
Author: Adam Fitzroy
Publisher: Manifold Press
Length:: Novel/220 pages ebook
Buy the book: Publisher

Blurb:

When USAF Colonel Chad Ryan accepts a new job on the White House staff he is soon making friends with the First Family – and with charismatic and troubled President Douglas Ford Kearney himself. They have scarcely begun to explore their feelings for one another, however, when it becomes apparent that their relationship is under threat from enemies both within and without. As world events look certain to drive them apart, can Chad and Doug find a way of holding on to their happiness – and can there be any chance of a future for them together?

Review:

Dear Mister President is a good romance novel that is likely to please a lot of readers. It has some great dialogue, charming characters, good action, and a believable tale that altogether just works to produce a fun, entertaining, and sexy story. There is a bit of suspended disbelief that’s necessary from the start as the resolutions feel a little too easy and perfect. I also didn’t feel the characters were as fully developed as they could be but as the author has promised a sequel already, I look forward to seeing where all this goes.

Air Force Colonel Chad Ryan is in the right place at the right time and saves the President from an enraged shooter. Soon after the White House offers Ryan a position on staff which puts him in direct and close proximity to the President often. What starts as a friendship soon turns into something sexual as the President confesses his desire for Ryan. Nothing is easy though when your new lover is the leader of the free world and their relationship is impossible to keep secret. Not only does the President’s family know but many of the staff and at the same time, a potential global crisis is mounting in the Middle East. Ryan and Doug must evaluate the importance of their relationship and what place it has in such a busy, complicated life.

The plot is handled very well with a lot of subtext. From the very beginning there is a political undercurrent that is always present and obvious but the various clues and details don’t come together until the very end with a stunning and realistic conclusion. This parsing of the important details helps keep the vibrant world of the White House always present while creating a situation later on that really shows the harsh price and juxtaposition world leaders are placed in. The romance with Chad is also handled in what seems to be a very realistic manner. Nothing happens between the two of them that several others aren’t immediately aware. The two men are always cognizant that they are never truly alone and no relationship with the President occurs in a vacuum of secrecy.

The characters are wonderfully described and very charming. Doug comes across as a laid back President who loathes the responsibility and difficult choices he makes on a daily basis. He is doing good work but his conscience takes a heavy toll and thus a complicated, difficult, but engaging character is drawn. He’s not an easy man but several people agree he’s worth the effort to love and befriend. Set against him are a cast of interesting characters from the wonderful First Lady, Kirsten, to their charming, delightful daughter, secret service agents both approving and disproving, and a bevy of staffers. The First Lady’s acceptance of Doug and Chad’s relationship is well handled. She knows her husband is gay and will eventually fall in love with another man and she’s pragmatic about the situation.
There are still some unanswered questions that were not very clear. Such as, I’m curious about how the dual relationships are going to end up as both Chad and Kirsten agree to share Doug as if he has two wives. Does this mean he’s still sleeping with Kirsten? Does Chad mind at all? I also didn’t particularly like Chad’s repeated reference to himself as a wife. He fills the undemanding role of nurturer and easy lover that Doug desperately needs; someone not to make demands and difficulties but always supporting and easy going. However, Chad mentions he never wanted someone else’s husband and how he’s reconciled this in his mind and emotions isn’t very clear. Obviously he loves Doug and finds the sacrifice worth it but I wasn’t sure why Chad kept referring to himself as the second wife. Especially when he assumes a marriage proposal when one isn’t exactly given.

These are however very minor complaints in a book that is totally engaging, interesting, steamy, and well written. This is the type of book that is easy and delightful to re-read, refreshing with humor, intrigue, and political repercussions not just swept aside. If the next book entertains the relationship during a re-election campaign, I honestly can’t wait to see how that is handled and have a lot of faith the author will deliver something fascinating, realistic, and absorbing. The great characters, solid plot, and good writing deliver a story that will be sure to please fans. Pretty impressive from a brand new publisher.