Growing up gay in the
White House hasn’t been easy for Rafael Castillo. Codenamed “Valor” by
the Secret Service, Rafa feels anything but brave as he hides in the
closet and tries to stay below the radar in his last year of college.
His father’s presidency is almost over, and he just needs to stick to
his carefully crafted plan. Once his family’s out of the spotlight, he
can be honest with his conservative parents about his sexuality and his
dream of being a chef. It’s definitely not part of Rafa’s plan to get a new Secret Service agent who’s a walking wet dream, but he’s made it this long keeping his desires to himself. Besides, it’s not like Shane Kendrick would even look at him twice if it wasn’t his job.
Shane’s worked his way up through the Secret Service ranks, and while protecting the president’s shy, boring son isn’t his dream White House assignment, it’s an easy enough task since no one pays Rafa much attention. He discovers there’s a vibrant young man beneath the timid public shell, and while he knows Rafa has a crush on him, he assures himself it’s harmless. Shane’s never had room for romance in his life, and he’d certainly never cross that line with a protectee. Keeping Rafa safe at any cost is Shane’s mission.
But as Rafa gets under his skin, will they both put their hearts on the line?
Comment: I've became interested in this book after reading an interesting opinion on it somewhere and how it was a good execution on the "bodyguard" type of plot. Plus, it would be a May/December plot too and that's another type of story I feel curious about on how authors might be able to accomplish.
In this book, the president of the USA has four children, the youngest is 21 and it's the only one still living in the White House with his parents. Rafa has always been the better behaved child, although his older brother never really lived there full time. Still, for the agents charged with his protection, it's an easy job and Rafa has done his best to be quiet and unassuming because he is gay and he feels he can't come out while his father is president. However, as soon as that happens (in seven months Rafa hopes), he will begin his real life out of the spotlight.
In the meantime, it was time to switch agents, as often happens, to avoid complications. Shane Kendrick is very eager to finally be in the White House, that is the dream of every secret agent and even though he is given the detail of the quietest son, he feels he's closer to one day guard the president. What he didn't count was on how appealing Rafa was and how quickly they hit if off. However, between rules and his own conscience, can Shane really stay away?
I liked reading this book. It's not something I would consider to be the best but it was entertaining and vibrant. I think the age gap wasn't too badly done but it does become obvious at certain points, namely by comparing the behavior of the two protagonists. It's just too hard to imagine Rafa being more mature, despite the descriptions and his thoughts, when he has been so secluded in the setting created. I don't mind the fact there are almost 20 years between them but it gets too obviously noticed at times and I suppose if the difference was a little less, or if their positions in life were a little more balanced, it would feel more natural.
The situation had its merits though. This idea of two different people feeling attracted while the situation is so specific as the one used, is strangely appealing and almost romantic in a way. However, it didn't always feel as if it was fluid because the interactions between them had to be about "stolen moments" even before they acknowledge their feelings so when it does we only have their inner thought to guide our perception. It's not impossible but it made me think the relationship wasn't really developing, you know?
Rafa is a cute character, a youngest son who feels his family doesn't care for him as much or wouldn't respect his choices and what he wants to do in life. The fact he is gay doesn't help but he won't do anything to make things bad for his father, since he is liked not for his personality but for the role he took. I understand Rafa's position and why he chose to stay back and be quiet. I'd have done the same were I in such a position so I can relate to his need to be out of the spotlight. However, he does feel he had been rather protected and he feels innocent in many aspects.
Not that this is a bad thing but compared to Shane, who is older more experienced and aware, the difference does seem bigger that what it could.
I'd say the biggest obstacle is mental, it just doesn't feel realistic for such different people to be together. The author has tried to make this less odd by forcing them to spend some time together, by creating a situation where Shane has to be the one helping Rafa...I get all that and it was a fun novel in some moments.
The characterization of the secondary characters was well done and how they interact with the protagonists helped too, especially when making them react in regards to certain events or situations.
I just feel the dynamics between them would probably fizzle out with time? I know there's a second book and they are still together and this is fiction but... I'd have preferred for something else making them closer (more mutual interests or less age gap even if it was still big or even a more balanced emotional maturity) because even if this is fun and cute and special and passionate when required... it doesn't seem to be done in a way that would convince me it's forever.
All my doubts aside, though, this was easy to read, has some action scenes in between all the inner turmoils and self worries, there's even a slight investigation in the midst of all the personal drama. It was a good read, yes, but the romance not totally convincing for me.
Grade: 7/10
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