3.5 StarsSweet Young Thang is Anne Tenino’s third book in the TAG Series, but works well as a standalone. As with the previous books, it is infused with humor and two wonderful main characters. While I enjoyed the romance and the interactions of all the TAG members, the mystery aspect of the book just didn’t work all that well for me.
We first met Collin in [b:Frat Boy and Toppy|13484085|Frat Boy and Toppy (Theta Alpha Gamma, #1)|Anne Tenino|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329187226s/13484085.jpg|19018978]. He is still single here and, thanks to his very controlling Uncle Monty (a TAG Alum), is the liaison to the Alumni Association and planning the alumni weekend. Thanks to the recent TAG policy change they are the only frat that openly welcomes gay members, something not fully supported by the TAG alums or other frats on campus. When a water heater explosion and fire at the TAG house occurs, Collin meets EMT Eric who is 16 years older and a former TAG brother. There is an instant attraction and soon the two are inseparable. Problems arise as Collin is still in the closet to his family and all but a few of his frat brothers and is under pressure from his Uncle, who believes the trouble at the TAG house is directly related to the membership policy. When his Uncle advises him that the alumni association will be withdrawing funding unless the policy change is removed, Collin must decide whether his Uncle’s expectations for his future are what he really wants and needs.
The relationship between Collin and Eric is insta-lust to insta-love at warp speed. The entire book takes place over the course of one week. While this is often a deal breaker for some readers, I didn’t mind it much. There is so much going on for Collin in that week, he quickly bonds with Eric, who is determined to keep him safe and provide support. Unfortunately, while they were a sweet couple, that certainly had some hot and sexy times, I wasn’t emotionally invested in their relationship since there really was no build up between introductions and I love you. Although the mystery of who is sabotaging the frat was a bit drawn out and unnecessary, it did serve to bring to a head the relationship between Collin and his overbearing Uncle Monty, who had been a father to him for most of his life.
One thing you can count on in Anne Tenino’s books is the humor. The TAG brothers are priceless in their determination to accept their gay brothers and exceed the expectations laid out during their “sensitivity training”. Anytime there is a membership meeting you know it will devolve into hilarity (I fully expect “What would Tim Gunn do?” to be the house’s new motto in the next book). If anything can inspire a group of frat boys into action it would be the threat of losing free beer, internet and cable.
In the end, this was a low angst romance. We get to catch up with the couples from the previous books and get a new frat member who is sure to need his own book in the future. It didn’t grab me as much as Frat Boy and Toppy, but was a fun light read and I look forward to the next installment.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
