2.5 stars. ( )

2.5 stars. ( )

While the whirlwind steps from attraction to love may not be everyone’s cup of tea or experience, this is love at first sight: and the reactions of both Walt and Curt override simple attraction to show something more. Curt wanting to step back and let the relationship develop before jumping into bed was a logical and thoughtful step, one not taken often in romance novels, especially not in short form. While Walt lives far too much in the past, what was and what will never be; Curt manages to allay those fears with words and actions, at least until his manager fears for his money flow and interferes in their communication.

From the first sentence, this story developed a certain empathy with a dash of “move on dude” for Walt. Obviously adored and cared for by several people, he is adored by the children he teaches to ski, and he is more concerned with what won’t happen than what might. Without the spark of interest provided by Curt, and the subsequent change in his attitude, Walt would have gone from needing an attitude adjustment to pitiful, and not at all fun to read about. While there is an undeniable attraction between the two, the hesitancy to trust and believe in the heart, rather than the head becomes the overarching concept in the story. The sensual and sexual scenes are written with tenderness and obvious emotion, making them far more than a simple erotic scene between two men. C.J. Baty has created a believable and surprisingly complex short that shows growth in Walt as a result of a lovely start to a relationship.

I received an eBook copy from the publisher for honest review as part of the Love sucks until it doesn’t blog tour. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. ( )