The Party Boy’s Guide to Dating a Geek by Piper Vaughn and Xara X. Xanakas
Less Than Three Press
Gay Contemporary
ISBN: 9781620040362
Reviewed by Cassie




Ashley “Ash” Byrne isn’t the type to worry about much.  The only thing he cares about is finishing his tattoo apprenticeship so he and a friend can start up their own shop.  Then he meets Felipe “Fee” Navarro.  For some reason, he’s really attracted to the geeky man, but Fee rebuffs him.  Unused to being turned down, Ash is thrown for a loop.

Unwilling to give up, Ash decides to pursue Fee, even going so far as to buy an advice book.  Will the party boy catch the geek of his dreams?

The Party Boy’s Guide to Dating a Geek is a story that is by turns funny, emotional, and uncomfortable.  At first, Ash is attracted to Fee’s good looks and blindsided by the man’s refusal of his advances.  Ash’s shock led to determination to make Fee go out with him—and that led to a lot of uncomfortable moments.  Ash gets a little obsessed, borderline stalking poor Fee.  At first, Ash’s motives were murky.  I thought he might be pursuing Fee just because he couldn’t believe the man had turned him down.  Slowly, though, Ash’s feelings become more and more genuine.  He begins to see things from Fee’s perspective, even agreeing to take it slow rather than jumping into meaningless sex (a huge concession from a guy used to getting some whenever he wanted to).  Due to their different personalities, dating styles, and interests, there are many misunderstandings.  Cocky Ash is knocked down a few pegs, and he learns how much better it is to have real feelings for someone.

While The Party Boy’s Guide to Dating a Geek starts out as a seemingly silly and shallow story, it deepens due to the way Ash changes.  He begins to want more out of love and life.  We don’t get to see things from Fee’s point of view (something I would have liked), but being immersed in Ash’s POV allows for a closer view of his insecurities, hopes, dreams, and growth.  This appears to be the start of a new series for Piper Vaughn and Xara Xanakas, and I for one am looking forward to the next one.