Book: Joy
Series: States of Love
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Publication date: April 5, 2017
Length: 69 pages
Reviewed by Morningstar
Synopsis
Down on his luck is Gideon Joy’s default state. He doesn’t know why he expected anything different on his cross-country trip, but not surprisingly, the hits keep coming—literally this time. Gideon strikes a moose with his car in New Hampshire, not only totaling his own vehicle, but damaging one belonging to local construction worker Silas Bright. He has no choice but to stay in Lancaster and take a job that’ll pay for the repairs. And in a town so small, Gideon’s always running into Silas. What starts as annoyance between them soon blooms into something much more romantic. But when Gideon’s notorious bad luck rears its head yet again, how many disastrous dates will Silas be willing to weather before realizing Gideon’s not worth it?
Despite Gideon’s desire to remain in the quaint community that has accepted him as one of their own, past fears of inadequacy threaten the very joy he left Los Angeles to discover. If he’s to find a happily ever after with Silas, Gideon must learn that sometimes it’s okay to not be the best. And true happiness might be waiting in a small town nestled among the great White Mountains.
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Review
Ever have that moment when you read a part in a book, stop, go back and reread it just to experience the emotion it gave you all over again? That was this book for me.
I loved the author’s writing style, and the two guys that she created were easy to fall in love with. She wrote each character, so clearly, it was easy to visualize them and sense who they were. Silas a big guy that looks tough but is such a good guy with a gooey middle. Gideon was funny and light with a bit of insecurity. Together they were that cute couple that gives you those happy bubbles in your belly, and you just want more.
And more is what I needed. As much as I loved the story, I felt it was just too short to get a real connection between these guy beyond funny and cute together. I don’t have a clear sense of how they feel about each other. Yes, they said it to themselves, to each other. But I didn’t feel it. I just needed a bit more show to get me there.
The scenes that we did have were well constructed and fun and gave a clear impression of the town and the type of atmosphere it had. I loved George, the owner of the Eatery and Mrs. B the owner of the Bed & Breakfast. The bets that Silas' crew had going was cute and well done. I liked that even in small town New Hampshire this was more about Gideon’s insecurities than any homophobia.
There is just a bit of kissing, so super low heat level. It was also an HFN with no I love you. I know some are pretty particular on that. I’m not sure it needed that but for where these two guys are in their relationship and the decisions that Gideon makes, you'd think there was at least that.
Cute short story with funny, cute banter and two guys you will swoon over.
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I haven't read anything by C.S. Poe yet, but I hear good things.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Alexis Hall's How to Band a Millionaire and Joanna Chambers' A Gathering Storm.
Carolyn