Chasing Eddie

This is the third installment in the author's Golden Gate Love Stories, which is a spinoff of the Nick Williams Mysteries. I'll be honest, so far these have not worked fo me, and I'll probably stop at this one, because taking a whirl at other reviews, I'm clearly in the minority opinion. Perhaps these stories are not for me, and I'm at peace with that. I love the component parts: non-traditional MCs, age difference, MCs with bodies that don't conform to IG six-pack models, but the ‘couple' stories have not felt true to me. Not liking these more makes me sad. I can feel that the author is coming from a good place, a good heart, and has based his characters in the real world. Sadly the writing and progression of the story doesn't bear out the wished for results.As I feared Bob & Mario, from [b:Their Own Hidden Island 34851086 Their Own Hidden Island (Golden Gate Love Stories, #2) Frank W. Butterfield https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492091469l/34851086.SY75.jpg 56088384] have inherited the mantle from Nick & Carter, but as I said in my review of that story, and continues to be true here, I don't think they're worthy heirs or I can't say we know enough about them to bequeath them honor. The book opens in January 2019 with the titular Eddie, Eddie Smith, getting a call from Bob & Mario who've inherited Nick & Carter's empire after their deaths. Eddie is, by his own definition:”... a light trance channel which, for some people, sounds all fancy but it really isn't. It just means that I've taught myself how to let another kind of voice talk and write through me.” So. Yeah. Some kind of medium? He occasionally also dabbles as some sort of life-coach and general New Agey type activities. Bob & Mario want him to go to San Antonio, Tx. and perform some sort of coming out intervention for Whitley “Whit” David Hall, a recently retired football player, who they're not even sure is gay. To complicate things Whit's parents are leaders of a megachurch in Lakewiew, Tx., which preaches a prosperity gospel, and put me in mind of Joel Osteen & co.. Needless to say that more than complicates Whit's life. I felt for this man-child who at 35 is struggling be his own person, and I would've been interested in his journey but the book is really a love letter/wish fulfillment for Eddie, whom I suspect is a bit of a stand-in for the author or people near and dear to him.Eddie Smith is 52, 340lbs., and hairy. A bear. But not a muscle bear, though he does work out, and has killer legs, if he says so himself. He's more like a chub who wears a CPAP mask to sleep. He's also a bit of a wanderer with “alternative employment”. Whit at 35, has football money, is an athlete, and at 6'7” some kind of Texas size demigod, who resembles the book cover model or Rob Gronkowski, I'm hoping for the former. Wishful thinking and dreams are my bag but ... I didn't buy these two as couple. Not within the immediacy of the story. Not in my book. And quite frankly my stumbling block is Eddie. Like someone past a certain age he's pretty set in his ways, maybe a bit judgemental (yes lefties can be prejudiced too) and I'll say nothing about his wardrobe choices. He goes to Texas and I can't say how his conversations with Whit actually helped, rather they were opportunities for Eddie to expound on his opinions, likes, dislikes, and then he leaves. Perplexingly Whit follows him to Florida (that's not a spoiler, it's in the super long blurb & title) and suddenly they're in love. How? Why? Worse yet this ends in a sort of cliffhanger with our love birds running away together and what felt like a tacked-on, preposterous subplot about the church & criminal activity on a honeymoon. I'm sorry. I can believe that Eddie being the first gay man Whit opens up to, he could develop an affection for, but I just didn't buy the insta “we're in love”. I believe in insta. Have loved quite a few insta books. But insta must be earned. If you're interested their story continues in what seems to be yet another series, [b:Getting to Know You 45277213 Getting to Know You (The Romantical Adventures of Whit & Eddie #1) Frank W. Butterfield https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556021783l/45277213.SY75.jpg 69986708] Will I follow them? I dunno.