TEST
The world of Olympic athletes is so foreign to most of us that this little peek inside helps flesh out this interesting novella.
When competitive swimmer Tomas’ regular masseuse is unavailable, her partner Darren fills in for her. The reclusive Tomas remembers talking to Darren at the sports medicine open house and the jealousy in the eyes of Darren’s boyfriend.
So even though Tomas is attracted to Darren, he remains aloof until Darren lets slip that in the intervening year Darren and his former boyfriend have split up. Then all of Tomas’ competitive spirit is unleashed and he sets about wooing Darren.
Unfortunately, the socially inept Tomas, while taking Darren on wonderful dates and giving him thoughtful presents, is too much of a worrier and recluse to totally loosen up with Darren, giving Darren mixed messages. Is Tomas making a play or is he just a nice guy who is rewarding his masseuse for a good job, Darren wonders.
Tomas is a lovable mess of an athlete, who has been so caught up in reaching his Olympic goals that he hasn’t spent much time actually getting to know other people. Consequently, his former boyfriend used him and discarded him because of his driving passion to win.
The much more laid back Darren, while a partner in the masseuse business, understands Tomas’ overwhelming lifestyle and is happy to be the one to give the man moments of peace in his brutal regime. Being a person who needs more than silent adoration, Darren craves more than Tomas’ pampering and little presents. He needs Tomas to say something also.
Novella length is just about right for this marginal misunderstanding. Obviously the cross-purposes and confusion are easily clarified, and they are. Jaye doesn’t repeat and repeat until the reader is sick of the situation. In fact, at times the misunderstanding is funny since neither of these likeable guys is hurting the other, but both are trying their hardest to create harmony and love.
What is missing, however, is what every semi-professional athlete has in abundance. Where are Tomas’ trainers and coaches? The story portrays him as a loner who is battling for gold by himself. But athletes at this level rarely are alone. If Tomas really is, then some explanation is due. If not, the appearance of these peripheral trainers is absolutely necessary for this to flesh out Tomas’ life and be a believable story.
That aside, Jaye’s novella is a quick, happy story that will perk up the day of gay romance readers who want a quick fix.
Grade: B
Book Type: Queer Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 12/12/13
Publication Date: 2013/12
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.