Date of Publication: September 12, 2016
Genres and Themes: LGBTQI, Romance, Comedy, Body Image
Publisher: BlueHeart Press
Format: 244 pages, ebook
ISBN13: 978-1-5375-6116-5
Cover Artist: Sara York
Characters: Henry Beckett, Reed Henske
I find this book a bit different from the author’s previous works. I knew that N.R. Walker is witty, funny and all but, I did not know that she could be THIS funny. Here, she gave us funny scenes where you will totally laugh out loud. She’s funny in a way that is beyond moving. I mean, a few writers can do that – being tragically funny or funny and tragic at the same time. In a good way that is. You’re probably confused now and I am too, but I will get to the point by the end of this review (or not).
Henry’s character is one adorable character that we rarely see in books – in gay romance in particular and as its main character no less. So it’s refreshing to have an overweight, middle-aged corporate gay guy to be the center of the story. He’s not a demi-god with that vampiric-good looks and a body of an Olympian swimmer. In short, he’s an everyday guy! I can totally relate to him.
He covers his insecurities with self-deprecating humor. His douche of a boyfriend for eight years left him because he’s apparently “overweight and fat.” That was the douche’s exact words and I wanted to punch the guy with a Manny Pacquiao left hook. Only, there was no (warning: spoiler ahead) V for Vendetta in store for us. Henry has got class obviously.
With Reed’s help, his mofo personal trainer, Henry was able to truly see the real him. He was able to transform himself not only physically but also mentally. He learned to love himself. And he fell in love in the process.
The romance between him and Reed is just about the sweetest ever. I appreciate the slow-burn, that creeping feeling of fondness and eventually the love between them. It’s totally awe-inspiring.
The book also includes a goofy bunch of secondary characters. I loved Anika and Sean! They’re fantastic bffs! Melinda and Emily are amazing! And how can we not thank the douche ex???! He totally started this story! Haha!
In my opinion, this is N.R. Walker’s best book to date after the epic Red Dirt Heart series. It’s about self-image, self-love, and the valuable lesson that even if the mind is blind in seeing the real you, the heart will always feel the truth in you. I don’t know if that make sense to you but it does to me. Read this now people, like right NOW!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
About the Author
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words. She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things…but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal. She’s been writing ever since…
PADDYLAST INC. 