The death of Oakley’s sister has left his family broken and buried beneath their grief. In an attempt to get out from underneath their pain, they rent an isolated cottage in the Cotswolds. For Oakley, it’s an exercise in futility. He doesn’t see much hope for things to get back to the way they used to be, and he’s bored and restless as he waits out the time until he can return to the city and university. All of that changes when he meets local boy Bobby, and the connection between them is instant. Within a few days, Oakley is ready to walk away from everything to stay with Bobby. However, Bobby has problems of his own, and they might be more than the budding romance can survive. But they might also give Oakley a new perspective on his own situation.
Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon
Tams gives this one 2.5/5 stars... Oakley is on Holiday with his parents shortly after the untimely death of his sister. His mother is in denial, his father is placating his mother and while they all miss their daughter, sister, Oakley is the only person that seems to actually be dealing with and accepting the fact that his sister is dead. So, while his mother berates him and buries her head in the sand, Oakley stays busy with a new friend he made at the rental cottage, Bobby. But everything is not as it seems in this quiet little sleepy town. It's very hard to critique this story when it's so short and not give anything away. I will say that I figured out the premise of the story in the first few pages, and the insta-love aspect didn't ring true for me. Of course there is the possibility of love at first sight, but the way it was worked into this particular story didn't work for me. I did enjoy the big reveal at the end, and though I'd figured it out, there were a couple things in regards to it I didn't realize, so there was that. Not really my kind of story, sadly. Excerpt...
“Maybe I’ll see you around, then.”
Bobby looked over at him. “Maybe.” His smile lit his eyes, and Oakley saw they were indeed brown: a rich milk chocolate.
Oakley dithered for a moment, worrying at his lower lip. “Listen, though, it’s probably best if my folks don’t see you. They might not like people wandering about the garden while we’re here.”
The lie came easily enough. He was certain his parents wouldn’t object to Bobby—even in their current frame of mind—however, he couldn’t stand the thought of them knowing about him. Oakley wanted this one thing for himself. A secret only he and Bobby would share.
“No sweat. They won’t see me.”
“Oakley!” A long, loud call.
“Damn.” Oakley kicked off the tree and peered around the trunk. “My parents are back.” He met Bobby’s eyes. “I gotta run, but I’ll meet you here tomorrow. Same time?”
“Righto.”
“Oakley!” It was his father’s voice this time, the tone insistent.
“Catch you later, then.”
Oakley offered Bobby a final, resigned smile, then sprinted back across the garden to the front door. A family dinner was on the cards. An hour ago that would have filled him with dread, but now he thought he could handle it. He’d go through the motions until it was time for bed, and then tomorrow the expectation of a second meeting with Bobby would help pass what would doubtless be a tedious day. Still, at least another day gone brought him one day closer to a return home.
To read this excerpt in its entirety or learn more about the book and Author, visit Dreamspinner Press.
Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) was born in England, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.
Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!
As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theater, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel; all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing. She is never found too far from her much-loved library/music room.
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Whenever you think your problem is bad, there is someone with worse ones.
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always be happy for what you have
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