Dead Ringer

Starred review from August 24, 2015
Belleau (the Rear Entrance Video series) and debut author Schooler collaborate on a refreshingly clever tale of unexpected love. Brandon Ringer is the 19-year-old misfit grandson of James Ringer, who was a dashing Hollywood star in the 1950s. Brandon parlays his genetic luck into working for a celebrity-lookalike escort agency, fulfilling the fantasies of older men who want a night with “Jim.” The sex part of the job is easy, but his attitude earns him low ratings; he knows nothing about his grandfather except that his parents called the old man a screwup and think Brandon will follow in his footsteps. Percy Charles, a lonely 21-year-old disabled by chronic illness, collects James Ringer memorabilia and is trying to track down the elusive Ringer grandson. When he stumbles across the celebrity-lookalike website, he arranges a meeting with Brandon. Their mutual attraction gives them both a chance to grow as individuals while getting closer to each other. Trust, secrets, self-doubt, and trauma challenge their relationship and their self-images. Belleau and Schooler handle the sensitive subjects of abuse and sex work in a thoughtful and compassionate manner. This is a wonderful, thoughtful new adult story, perfect for introspective readers concerned about what they project and what the world sees.

September 15, 2015
Now that his grandmother has died, it looks like it's back to turning tricks again to make ends meet for 19-year-old Brandon Ringer. In desperation, he capitalizes on the one thing he has going for him: he is the spitting image of his late grandfather, James Ringer, 1950s Hollywood royalty. So he takes a job at a Hollywood Doubles escort agency. Across town, 21-year-old Percy Charles is homebound by illness and an overbearing caretaker. He just so happens to be James Ringer's biggest fan. When he sees that a Ringer escort is available he can't resist hiring him. Over time, the relationship between Percy and Brandon shifts from client and escort to friends and finally to lovers and boyfriends. The development of their relationship is tender and passionate as they learn to love first one another and then themselves. Belleau (Bliss, 2014) and Schooler explore what it means to be a family and to be beholden to family secrets in a love story for fans of new adult and/or same-sex romances as well as classic film aficionados.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)