Book Reviews

Book Blurb

If Peter Christopoulos has learned one thing from his last three years in a wheelchair, it's that people have a hard time seeing past the hardware. When he asks out Russ Baker after giving him a quote on equipment for a new Greek restaurant, he's disappointed but not surprised to be turned down.

Russ has been covering for his abusive boyfriend for so long it's almost automatic, but with a little help from his friends, he finds the courage to break it off. To his surprise, Peter is still interested, and soon they're falling hard and fast. But then their world is thrown into turmoil: Peter finds an old letter indicating he has a half sister he's never met, and Russ's past interferes when his ex makes it clear he'll do anything to get him back.

Book Review

Like with any good series, A Taste of Love is beginning to feel like home. As I return to each new volume, I enjoy seeing how the previous characters are doing almost as much as reading the story of the next fascinating couple Andrew Grey has come up with. Café Belgie, in this third book, is the setting for a dramatic and very touching love story. This time, both men are out, and the issues they battle with are no less dramatic than those of previous main characters.

Peter may have 'only' spent three years in a wheelchair, following an accident that took his ability to walk, but he has collected a lifetime's worth of pain, rejection, and stupid reactions from people who cannot deal with disability. On the other hand, he has also learned to master his life and become truly independent. Some things may take him longer to deal with, but he has a job, is good at it, and gets stuff done. The one thing he has found very difficult to deal with is most people's reactions to him, or rather, to his chair. This is the story of Peter learning to trust that Russ does, indeed, see him, not the fact that he wheels himself around rather than using his legs.

Russ is quietly dealing with his own issues. He only recently noticed how bad his relationship with Barry is, and it takes him a long time not only to recognize that he's been abused, but to deal with the resulting anger and lack of self-confidence. Barry is a classic abuser, and Russ's experience in learning to deal with his own reactions and how to get rid of the behavioral patterns of the last for hellish years were as realistic as they were heartbreaking.

I thought it was fascinating (for Russ and me) to see how Peter stood up to Barry without being physically able to do so. It helped Russ see that a large part of his problem, definitely the initial step, was mental. He then had to go on and deal with the physical side of it (the stalking, continued unwelcome attentions, etc.), but without the mental willingness and ability to resist he would have never gotten there. In turn, he helps Peter regain confidence in some of the fun stuff he used to do, 'converting' running into wheelchair racing. This give-and-take between the two men was absolutely wonderful to watch, and a joy to follow. If you like books about characters with real issues, if following their trials and triumphs is what interests you, and if you want all that wrapped in a gentle and tender love story, you will probably like this book as much as I did.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook, print and audio
Length	Novel, 200 pages/60760 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	16-March-2012
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle, $19.99 audiobook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-helping-of-love-by-andrew-grey-4712-b