Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Felipe Suero is a cosplayer. He’s also a gamer, a costume designer, a college student, and a tollbooth operator for the state—a job he loathes. As soon as he graduates and gets a decent job he’s out of there. In the meantime, he attends conventions, making his own highly detailed costumes, flirts outrageously, and hangs with his bestie, Morris (A Little Side of Geek).
Trask Briscoe, silver fox, over forty, clean and sober for fifteen years, owns the Magick Den, a haven for gamers, and lives his life a day at a time, always thinking things through thoroughly before acting. He doesn’t date but finally gives in when the much-younger Felipe continues to ask him out for coffee. It’s turns out to be the best decision he’s ever made.
This is a May-December, very slow burn romance, complete with moments of humor and heartache. The author handled the aspects of addiction and recovery necessary to this story beautifully, being true to the twelve-step philosophy, while showing the heartbreak of failure. And family? Family is the heart of Felipe’s upbringing, and he still lives in an apartment he rents in his family’s sprawling complex. He’s surrounded by his parents, grandparents, and his sister, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Trask is not so fortunate, having been raised by parents who didn’t meet the definition.
Its difficult to even begin to cover everything this story encompasses. There’s the family of origin and the family of the heart. There’s the not-so-mismatched, older, quieter Trask dating the younger, energetic, outgoing Felipe. Trask calls him his “imp”—a perfect descriptor. The story is fun to read and yet it’s also serious. There’s no insta-love here. Instead, there’s a slow and steady movement forward, giving each man the opportunity to not only get to know the other, but also their friends and support group, and to make a conscious decision on how each can mesh their lives with the other.
If you are a fan of silver foxes, personable characters, age gap, slow burn, gaming, cosplaying, strong characterization, and solid writing, by all means read this story. Check out my review of book one and add that to your list as well. This can be read as a standalone, though reading A Little Side of Geek will make this experience so much better. After all, Felipe did have a secondary role in that story, and having the chance to watch him find his HEA was like adding the cherry to the top of the whipped cream on the sundae. Just yummy. Highly recommended.
The cover by Kanaxa features a young Latino man set against a golden background. It’s a good representation of Felipe, but would be so much better if he were wearing a costume! Nevertheless, it coordinates well with the cover of book one.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon
Book Details:
ebook, 290 pages
Expected publication: January 1st 2019 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 139781644050088
Edition Language English
Series Geek Life #2
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Dan and Steve, two ships passing in the night, so to speak, find each other and a lucky penny before heading into a private airline-club room. Their encounter is brief yet intense, the attraction off the charts, but the lay, like the layover they’re both on, is all too short for either of their liking.
Kim Fielding has a way with words.
The situation seems ideal: a month off work and a sweet deal to extend his stay in an unexpected paradise. Needless to say, Aaron is thrilled to snag an extra few days in Scotland after his work conference to soak up the magic of the country.
Sofia Cancino is tired of her mundane life, her artificial environment and her large, boisterous family descending every holiday season. She’s promised herself this year will be different and books a stay on the exclusive—and expensive–holiday-themed resort, Yule Planet. She looks forward to being pampered while reconnecting with Old Earth traditions steeped in the magic and mysticism of nature. Everything will be perfect and she’ll leave as a more authentic human, better connected to her roots.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 