ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) ReviewSecond Helpings by Charlie Cochrane
Release Date: July 21st 2014 from Riptide Publishing
Stuart Collins’s life might as well have ended a year ago when his partner died in a car crash. Even Stuart’s widowed father has found new love with an old friend, Isabel Franklin, so why can’t Stuart be bothered to try?
Then he gets a phone call from Isabel’s son, Paul, who wants to check out whether or not Mr. Collins is good enough for his mother. During dinner together, though, they end up checking out each other. Trouble is, Paul’s got a boyfriend—or maybe he doesn’t, since the boyfriend’s supposedly giving Paul the push by ignoring him. Or maybe Paul just wants to have his cake and eat it too.
Honesty with each other is the only way to move forward. But maybe honesty with themselves is what they really need.
4/5 stars ...
Stuart Collins loves his job in forensics, even if some of the cases hit him a little hard, like when children are involved. He’s pretty much wrapped in his work and drops everything, literally, if they call him in. Since the death of his partner a year ago, he hasn’t even tried to date again. But he is starting to feel the bite of lonliness, hell, even his father is dating again!
Paul Franklin is missing his boyfriend Ben, who has moved back home to attend to his mom. Ben has seemingly cut off all contact with Paul, not responded to texts or emails, not picking up when Paul calls or returning messages. But Paul has other things on his mind now, like getting to know the man his mom is dating. So he sets up a meeting with the man’s son, Stuart.
Over beers at a local pub, Stuart and Paul share stories about their childhood and their love lives and they learn each of them is gay. But Paul has a temper and soon it sends Stuart speeding away without so much as a goodbye. A second chance is given and the two meet for dinner, and this is where the majority of the book takes place. Lots of dialogue between the two men who have potential to become a couple, if it weren’t for the other two men hovering over their heads. Stuarts dead lover and Paul's ‘is he or isn’t he’ boyfriend.
Dinner becomes dessert and the two share a pretty passionate night together reawakening feelings both thought long gone. Stuart finally begins to feel comfortable opening his heart to another man since Mark’s death. Only to have the rug snatched out from under him when Ben reaches out to Paul.
Stuart Collins loves his job in forensics, even if some of the cases hit him a little hard, like when children are involved. He’s pretty much wrapped in his work and drops everything, literally, if they call him in. Since the death of his partner a year ago, he hasn’t even tried to date again. But he is starting to feel the bite of lonliness, hell, even his father is dating again!
Paul Franklin is missing his boyfriend Ben, who has moved back home to attend to his mom. Ben has seemingly cut off all contact with Paul, not responded to texts or emails, not picking up when Paul calls or returning messages. But Paul has other things on his mind now, like getting to know the man his mom is dating. So he sets up a meeting with the man’s son, Stuart.
Over beers at a local pub, Stuart and Paul share stories about their childhood and their love lives and they learn each of them is gay. But Paul has a temper and soon it sends Stuart speeding away without so much as a goodbye. A second chance is given and the two meet for dinner, and this is where the majority of the book takes place. Lots of dialogue between the two men who have potential to become a couple, if it weren’t for the other two men hovering over their heads. Stuarts dead lover and Paul's ‘is he or isn’t he’ boyfriend.
Dinner becomes dessert and the two share a pretty passionate night together reawakening feelings both thought long gone. Stuart finally begins to feel comfortable opening his heart to another man since Mark’s death. Only to have the rug snatched out from under him when Ben reaches out to Paul.
The writing within this story was so engaging and intriguing. I was serious when I said a good portion of the book is over dinner between Stuart and Paul. Between the first meeting fiasco and dinner, they truly learn so much about one another, and it was very refreshing to see them both eager to learn more about the other. I’m still on the fence as to whether or not I like Paul’s character. He was quick tempered and indecisive.
Overall this was a fast, emotional read with a lot of dialogue that is definitely character driven. There is never a moment where there is any full on sex, but the passion and emotion is there in the acts that are conveyed to the reader.
A must read for those that want to spend all their time with the characters, wrapped up in their conversations and emotions.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
** You can pre-order your copy of Second Helpings through Riptide Publishing and receive 20% off! **
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