To Be Held Again

I delayed writing this review because given the blurb & the cover I really, really, really wanted to love it or at least like it very much. Alas it was not to be ... “if wishes were horses ...

It starts off okay but that lasts about a nanosecond.

Addie's daughter, whom he has raised on his own because his husband left/divorced him some twenty years ago, has graduated college, gotten hitched, and is moving away. Apparently ALL this time Addie has been a single, (not even a hook-up) devoted mother hen with zero outside interests. We don't even know what he does/did for a living. As the tearful goodbye scene is playing out on Addie's front porch two suitors, like salivating dogs, are watching from across the street. Addie's milk shake brings all the boys to the playground and these two, one hateful & obsessed (Nick), one a perfect Prince Charming (Malachi), have been waiting for their chance with this devoted damsel father.

I don't want to pile on this but to me it just read like a flipped MF with very traditional characters in that 50's style. Addie is almost a blushing virgin, Nick is obsessed with her him, and Malachi is the strong man who will solve any and all problems. The insta is lightning fast and their small Georgia town seems to exist in an alternate universe (which I wish were true) where a gay man raising a daughter alone is normal?

This is at page 8 of a 77 page short story/novella. Addie has just woken up to Malachi mowing her his lawn because ... that's the kind of guy he is and has the hots for our fair Addie. Addie brushes her his teeth, puts her his hair in a “man bun”, and runs out to the porch with a cool glass of water:

Shutting off the mower, Malachi made his way over to Addie. “Hello Beautiful. You're looking lovely this morning. What's your secret for waking up this pretty?” Addie's eyes widen, blushing at the compliment.“Please Mr. Douglass,” His blush deepening as he continued. “Men are handsome. Women are beautiful.” “True, but with all that curly red hair and green eyes; not to mention the freckles covering that pretty brown skin, you look beautiful to me.” Addie looked down. He'd forgotten he was wearing his sleep pants. “And it's Malachi remember? How about keeping me company while I work. We won't be able to talk but I get to look at you as much as I want.”Addie nodded.Setting the glass on a small table; Malachi led Addie to a large rattan chair. Settling him comfortably, Malachi went back to work.”

That scene happened at Addie's house. Addie is not sick or disabled. Hallmark hasn't had anything this syrupy in ages. Needless to say I-Love-Yous, wedding bells, and deranged/obsessed villains are forthcoming.

On the technical front there's lots of head hopping from character to character and some tense problems (should've been past but no “ed” was added) that can be fixed with better editing.

PRO: it's a NTM author and it was on KU.

As usual YMMV