Jerry is somewhat reluctantly attending a gym on his doctor's advice. Encouraged by gay workmate Dan, he steps on a treadmill for some CARDIO CONDITIONING and has barely worked up a sweat before his diabetes strikes and his blood sugar drops. He's well cared for but feels discouraged. Handsome personal trainer Gianni, who was on the next treadmill, is concerned but Jerry doesn't hold out any hopes.

Next Dan invites him to a gay club benefit night. Jerry's never been clubbing as diabetes rules his life. But with good friends he figures he should see what he's been missing. The drag artist introduces strip acts by a firefighter, a policeman and - Gianni, who sings Italian. Jerry is captivated and it seems that Gianni likes him too. Next time at the gym Gianni, who is known to be choosy, asks Jerry to dinner, promising he'll pick a healthy eating restaurant. Then he explains that many men see him as an attractive trophy and have no interest in anything but his body.

Andrew Grey is reprising his earlier novels in this adult series, which present us with an insecure protagonist who can't believe his luck that a large, strong, handsome guy asks him out. The locker room banter is much the same and each couple checks each other out in the whirlpool before progressing to a date. Personal issues differ in each story and that is what Grey addresses so well. Women equally can be stifled by coping with a lifelong medical condition, and women may be initially flattered by male attention but can end up wishing someone was interested in their personalities and brains. Grey allows us to see this from a male perspective and consider society's assumptions.

CARDIO CONDITIONING refers not just to a health workout but to the affairs of the heart, with Jerry so used to being rejected over his diabetes that he can't believe a man is really interested in him. It takes time for him to be assured that not just Gianni's heart but his own is in the right place. Grey is a prolific writer with series about cowboys, art, fantasy, the Amish life and others, bringing romance to gay men's literature. In this Workout series, there is a lot for anyone to like.

Book Summary

In the battle to regulate his blood sugar, Jerry March joins a new gym, but while working out his insecurity, he overdoes it on the treadmill. His insulin drops and so does Jerry. Fellow gym member Gianni Lappatura rushes to his rescue with a glass of juice and a helping hand.

A few days later, Jerry gets to return the favor. After watching Gianni’s opera-singing strip act, Jerry finds him stuck in the rain with a dead battery and saves the day. As thanks and because he thinks Jerry is cute, Gianni asks him on a date. It’s too good to be true, and Jerry soon learns his Mr. Perfect needs a bit of help of own. But Gianni’s imperfections open Jerry’s eyes to the beauty of limitations.

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