Spring Break at the Villa Hermes (Brandt and Donnelly Capers Book 4)

Completely unexpected, even though this series is peppered with humor and frivolity, this latest adventure of policemen lovers Ethan Brandt and Gabriel Donnelly keeps them almost in the background as they become involved in the misplaced vacation plans and budding love lives of six college seniors who got booked into a gay resort on what I assume is the Redneck Riviera (Pensacola area) by mistake, or deception. The resort is run by long-time lovers, the burly big bear Vic and the somewhat flaming queen Winnie, and they provide all the hoots and drama you could want in a situation like this.While the focus of the book is on these college dudes, there is plenty of room for an occasional tryst for Gabriel and Ethan, one of which is so stunning in its revelation by Gabriel of why Ethan has fallen in love with him but could not with any other man that I found myself totally grateful that Xavier Mayne is alive and well and writing. He just blows me away with his insights into men in all his books, and in this one he does a superior job with the college dudes as well.I would think that the denouement is going to be surprising enough that readers will expect another visit to Winnie and Vic's joint in the future--and I am booking my room now to make sure I don't miss all the action, and the fun.

4.5 starsWhile the last two books in the series dealt with more serious and heavy issues that the original, this book has more of the feel of Frat House Troopers. There was no real mystery or crime in this one as Brandt and Donnelly spend the book on vacation, although we do get a glimpse of them in full on cop mode.Once again the focus of the main story introduces a new set of characters, a group of six seemingly straight college seniors celebrating their last spring break together. They have been unknowingly booked into three of the four rooms in a small bed and breakfast resort, run by partners Winnie and Vic, that caters to gay clients. The fourth room is occupied by Brandt and Donnelly. As the guests spend time together, Donnelly soon finds himself mentoring quiet Ted, who has a crush on his best friend Bark.I simply adored the group of guys that were introduced. They are all quite different and all have some secrets and surprises for the others, most of which come out during a tropical storm induced sleepover session in the hotel's storm cellar. Bark and Ted are incredibly sweet and the antics of their housemates Paul, Thor, Chad and Howie had me laughing out loud while the flamboyant Winnie and laid back Vic were like the Mamma and Pappa bears taking care of their charges.While I always want more alone time with Brandt and Donnelly, we do get to see them in a particularly eye opening moment discussing how they view their sexuality followed by the unleashing of a side of Donnelly I don't think we've seen before.Xavier Mayne's books are always well written with plenty of humor and romance. The story was full of well rounded secondary characters who each had a story to tell. I loved the alone time with Donnelly and Brandt and Ted and Bark and would like to see that reunion somewhere down the line. There are small cameos from Bryce, Nestor and Mal, and references to a future bachelor party and wedding that I hope to see very soon.

Brandt and Donnelly may not have as large a part in this installment but they definitely leave a mark on the college boys who find themselves spending spring break at a hotel that isn't exactly typical spring break fare. The officers spend a very interesting but much deserved week long anniversary vacation together and in the process they help a group of friends discover themselves simply by being honest with each other. I think I found this to be as good if not better than Frat House Troopers, the level of honesty between the college friends was refreshing. I can't say that it hasn't been done before because that would be lie. For me it's one of those stories that I am finding it hard to grasp the right words without giving spoilers so for that reason I'm going with refreshing.

Our two favorite troopers decide to celebrate Spring Break in style with a couples weekend to a gay retreat for fun and sexy times.However, their sexy weekend is interrupted by the arrival of six straight college students who are also looking for some fun in the sun.Add in a hurricane, some unexpected revelations, coming out of the closet and men admitting they are in love one another and you have the recipe for spring vacation no one will ever forget.

I was truly sad to come to the end of this book. I am always looking for the latest Brandt and Donelly stories and they have all been very enjoyable. This one however was EXCELLENT. It took me to the extremes of emotion laughter, and tears. Ted, Bark, Thor ,Paul, Chad, and Howie, their stories were well presented and they became more than just names on a page. xavier made them real and lively people. Great,job I'll be waiting for the next. This is m/m fiction at it's best.

Everything you want in a M/M romance is here in spades and Xavier does it wonderfully! I laughed, I was moved, I was surprised and I couldn't get enough of this book. Bark in particular was a pleasure to get to know but all of the characters were well developed, (not always the case in this genre), and I felt like part of the gang. This was my first Xavier novel and I will definitely pick up this book again in the future and explore more of the authors work. Well done!

This isn't so much a novel as a series of camp-fire tales, told in an appropriate literary style. It has a warmheartedness that is endearing.

I love this whole series. This book was great and a lot more light hearted than the last two - which were also very good but a lot more serious. It was funny to watch the young men slowly become themselves as the week went on. Here's to a lot more books with Donnelly and Brandt.

This is a great addition to the series. Full of really beautifully written moments and lots of fun. This was also a book full of heart. I don't often get emotional reading books but I had tears welling in my eyes reading some of the dialogue between Brandt and Donnelly when they were discussing their sexuality and how they do or don't define it. It was amazing and real and it just made me feel.Brandt and Donnelly were still sexy and commanding as ever but they took a bit of a backseat to all the other characters in his book who were fantastic too. I would love to follow them in future books.This book was not what I was expecting and I'm so glad.This book is a keeper for me. Bring on the wedding!!!!