Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Geoffrey Saxon is in his forties, a bit plump, a lot fuzzy, and rather boring in bed—and thanks to a very public breakup, everyone in his street knows it. However, what they don’t know is that Geoffrey sometimes watches his hot young neighbour in the pool. Vaughn has invited Geoffrey to join his pool parties, but Geoffrey knows it’s only pity.

As if things can’t get worse, Geoffrey’s air conditioner breaks during a heat wave in Western Australia—and just before Christmas. In search of some relief, he camps out in his backyard, where he also has a prime view of Vaughn swimming… naked. When Geoffrey’s injured falling from his spying post, Vaughn comes to his rescue and Geoffrey doesn’t think he can be more horrified.

But he could be in for a sweet holiday surprise. Is he ready to take the dive?

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, December 2018.

Book Review

A “public breakup” must be one of the most humiliating experiences ever – just imagine your dirty laundry being aired within the hearing of all your neighbors, then details being spread to your friends. Geoffrey has gone through exactly that and even though it was a year before this story is set, he has not forgotten and it has made him even less self-confident than he was before. Yes, he probably should have moved out of town to get a fresh start, but somehow, he never got around to it. I really wanted him to find a happy ending after all that!

Geoffrey is not convinced that his physical appearance (not to mention his “unmentionable” age) makes him attractive. That, plus the humiliation, means he has retreated into his house, thinks his sexy neighbor’s invitations to several pool parties are only pity (or maybe polite), and has limited his “activities” to watching said neighbor in the pool. It is one such episode, right after Geoffrey’s air-conditioner breaks, that leads to a very sweet holiday surprise.

Even though the subject matter (feeling rejected and unworthy) is serious, the way Geoffrey deals with it through self-deprecating humor and by being just a little naughty as he watches Vaughn swim at night. From the way Geoffrey describes the whole setup, suffers through blistering heat, and ends up pretty much “falling” into Vaughn’s arms it is clear that he has a great deal of inner strength. He also has a wonderful sense of humor and I loved the way he thinks.

“By the time I was finished [wrapping the presents], I was dripping with sweat. I was uncomfortable. I was sweaty without the workout. I was sweatier than two men in a sauna. Naked. But I wasn’t going to think of that either. I was struggling to think of a solution. Moving to Antarctica in the next few hours wasn’t feasible.”

As it turns out, both men are secretly lusting after each other. But between Vaughn wanting to respect Geoffrey’s wishes/shyness and Geoffrey’s resistance to accept that Vaughn really does like and want him back, it takes them quite a while to sort themselves out. The added details of what a Christmas feels like in the sweltering heat of an Australian summer in Perth made the story even more fun to read.

If you like stories about shy men who finally find love, if a May/November romance is your thing, and if you’re looking for an entertaining read with lots of humor, much sunshine, and more than one mishap, then you will probably enjoy this novella.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 71 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	21-November-2019
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Summer-Heat-Renae-Kaye-ebook/dp/B081TY8GS4