I read Orleana’s review and promptly bought the book. It was a lovely $.99 read. I recommend it if you are looking for a gentle, sweet romance between two nice guys.
Henry’s boyfriend of 8 years suddenly dumps him because he is “fat and old.” Henry goes to the gym to get his boyfriend back, and in the process comes out of the shell he had tucked himself into. Reed, a ridiculously good looking personal trainer, takes Henry on as a client and as a friend. We don’t get Reed’s point of view, but the thing that struck me about him more than his good looks was that he seemed like a kind and caring man, who was also a little lonely.
Reed is described as looking like Chris Hemsworth. Chris Hemsworth is a preternaturally good looking man. It makes perfect sense to me that Henry would doubt that the growing attraction is mutual. Also, I did not use the description of Reed to go look at pictures of Chris Hemsworth. I used it to go look for pictures that describe how Henry sees himself in relation to Reed, versus what I suspect is closer to reality.
I think Henry saw them like this: 
But this was closer to the reality: 
It was easy to root for Henry and Reed. They bonded quickly over the things they had in common. It was easy to see how Reed’s appreciation of Henry’s sense of humor gave Henry the confidence boost he needed even more than the getting in shape. Like adults, they had the conversations they needed to have. One of the things I find interesting as a difference between heteronormative romances (primarily written by women) and M/M romances (primarily written by women) is that the men in M/M romances tend to be more communicative about their feelings. I making huge, sweeping generalizations here, but I think the assumption is that women do most of the emotional heavy lifting in F/M romance and that in the absence of women, gay men are more open about their feelings. This is just a rambling thought with no data to back it up.
My only complaint about the book was all the talk about food without providing the recipes. I need the recipe for that lemon tart. Seriously.
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this book. Though I’m not a cook or baker, all the talk of delicious tarts and other food made me want to know the recipes. More surprisingly, Henry’s transformation in mind and body by going to the gym made me want to pay my gym a visit. I mean, I’ve had a membership for way too long for the amount of time I’ve attended. :$
Yeah, I was looking up gyms in my area. Not expecting to find my own Thor, just that idea of having more energy and needing to buy new clothes after a month. Which I think is not so realistic for women.
B&N rarely lets me down on the digital front, but they do not have a Nook version of this one. It bums me out.
That is very disappointing.
Ooh, I want this. Buying immediately.
Sampling!