Sometimes you just need a little lightness

Thanks goes out to the CBR romance crew for introducing me to this sweet book.  Orleanas introduced it, and it kept getting good reviews, so I had to try it too.  What can I say?  I’m easily persuadable.   It’s a very light, contemporary M/M story.  So light that I have very little to say about it, but I’ll give it a try since this is a pleasant story and I’m happy to recommend it.

Henry Beckett is 35 and recently dumped by his long-term boyfriend.  Said boyfriend dumped Henry saying he was old and boring and fat.  Henry takes a step back and analyzes his life and realizes that he is overweight, so he decides to join a gym, where he meets super hot trainer, Reed Henske.  There is a fleeting idea about losing the weight and winning his boyfriend back, but that focus is quickly lost as Henry starts to get in to his new, healthy lifestyle.  Reed is in peak physical condition and Henry is rather intimidated, while also being very attracted to Reed.  Reed laughs at all of Henry’s jokes and clearly is very interested.  They bond over Henry’s pain as well as their mutual love of food.  Adorable sharing of recipes and outings to the farmers’ market occur.  Two people with very different outward appearances find each other.

I truly don’t have much analysis of this one.  I liked that Henry’s self-reflection led to him taking steps to change what he didn’t like about himself, but that he also found that he *did* like some things about himself and he explored those even further.  The characters are likeable and you’re totally rooting for them the whole time.  It’s all told from Henry’s perspective, and he’s often not very self-aware.  The insecurities of both heroes are very endearing, as well as their enthusiasm for their chosen hobbies.  These were just nice people to read about and spend a little time with.

If you are looking for something light and sweet this is a good book to try.  Everything about it is low key.  There’s no sizzling passion, no dust ups with the ex.  It’s mostly the story of Henry learning to love himself, with the side story of loving Reed too.  This book was, and continues to be, free.  I picked up another by this author after another CBR recommendation by the fabulous Mrs. Julien, who rarely steers me wrong.  I’m not rushing to read it, but I’ll keep it in my back pocket for a day when I need an easygoing read.