Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Exceptionally beautiful and moving. This is Robert Winter’s debut novel, and I will definitely be looking for more from him!
The blurb for this book doesn’t really do it justice, even though it basically lays out the entire plot. There is no mystery, no crimes to solve, no near death experiences, just a story of two men and their journey of falling in love, and learning to make that love work despite circumstance and convention. In short, everything I love – that excellent characterization that makes me want to know these men and their friends, and the authenticity of all the situations that lead them through turmoil to a well deserved happy ever after.
An omniscient observer opens the book by setting a rather lonely but somewhat hopeful scene. A man in bed, alone, restlessly sleeping, and the observer hopes he is ready to move on to something new and better. This man is David James, a 48 year old Washington DC lawyer who is still grieving his lover Kyle’s death two years previously. David has channeled that grief into an almost obsessive devotion to exercise which eventually leads to a mild shoulder injury. His doctor refers him to physical therapy, and David is surprised and a little embarrassed to find that he is attracted to his therapist, Brandon Smith. That not-so-simple touch between therapist and patient makes him start thinking of how lonely he really is, and, as usual, he starts hearing Kyle’s voice in his head. Telling him it’s completely normal to be attracted to another man.
Brandon is 27 years old, an athlete who gave up dreams of playing professionally after an injury, and is now working on building a career, though financially he’s struggling. He is still an athlete, now playing a variety of recreational sports, and enjoying the occasional casual hookup. He isn’t really looking for a relationship, but as he comes to know David better over the weeks of therapy, they become friends, and flirt with their mutual attraction. When they act on that attraction, the sex is mind-blowing (and well written!), and a revelation to Brandon who has never experienced that kind of connection with another man.
From the very beginning, though, their differences – age, wealth, background, experience – cause a lot of angst. David can’t get over the 22 year age gap, and Brandon feels a little overwhelmed by David’s wealth and success. Despite that, everything is wonderful as long as they keep their budding relationship in a bubble. To most of the outside world though, theirs is the stereotypical rich daddy with a kept boy arrangement, and the biggest danger of that view is that both men fear there is some truth to it. Getting over that anxiety means confronting their own doubts and fears, and learning to let go of pride. It takes a tragedy that affects both of their identities to make that happen.
There was plenty of angst, both internal and external, none of it artificial. I loved how Kyle almost became an active character himself through the memories of the men who knew him, and especially through the portrayal of David’s grief. The way David learned how to incorporate his love for Kyle into his love for Brandon was a mark of true healing, notably because it never diminished how much he cared for Kyle even as he found new happiness with Brandon.
On a final note, the title of this book was entirely perfect. The first time I really thought of it was when David was telling a friend his misgivings about getting into a May-December relationship. His friend replied “First off, you’re not even fifty years old, so let’s drop the December comments. At most this is a May-September situation.” I thought that was pretty clever, but towards the end of the book, other events occur that make September even more special to both men, and make the title more memorable to me. It’s rare that the title of a book connects with its theme as well as this one did.
Cover art by Catt Ford really captured the two men!
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Book Details:
ebook, 290 pages
Expected publication: December 9th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781635331189
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesPride and Joy #1
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 