Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Learning to love means a study in patience.
Fresh out of the military, Ben Cooper is ready for a new start. He’s away from his domineering father, making his own choices… and out of the closet. On his first day of college, he meets David Powell, who’s just the kind of gorgeous man Ben’s dreamed of. Too bad he’s the teaching assistant—which makes him off-limits in Ben’s eyes.
David is Ben’s age, but his life has taken a different path. He’s close with his family, who helped him deal with personal struggles after he came out. And while he’s staying away from any hint of scandal, Ben’s a kind of temptation he hasn’t faced in years. If only they’d met on more equal footing.
As the semester progresses and their lives become more entwined, keeping their relationship platonic becomes more difficult. They just have to hold out until the end of the semester….
I enjoyed the nice slow burn of this story. Ben and David are attracted to each other from the start but know that they need to keep their building emotions to themselves until after the semester is over.
David made some mistakes in the past and he is continuing to accept that he doesn’t need to be punished for those forever. Ben is finally away from his father and the military, getting to live his life on his own terms. They both become an integral part of each other’s lives as their friendship grows.
I loved watching David and Ben grow a strong friendship as the semester goes on. Without even realizing it David gives Ben just what he needs, a family. David and his sister quickly envelope Ben into their fold and bring him home. I loved seeing the emotions of these characters and connected with them easily. I just think this was wonderfully sweet with little bits of conflict thrown in to not make it too sweet.
The cover art by Bree Archer is nice and gives great visual of Ben.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N
Book Details:
ebook, 200 pages
Published: February 20, 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-412-8
Edition Language: English
Series: Dreamspun Desires
