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Blurb
Moving to Kansas City could be the best thing Austin Shelbourne has ever done. For a start, he can stop living a lie and finally come out of the closet. And there’s a chance, though slim, that he might be able to locate the love of his life, Todd Burton. It had seemed like a good idea when he seduced his friend, but Todd freaked out and vanished. Austin hopes to find Todd, make things right between them, and win his love. But when he meets actor Guy Campbell, things get even more confusing.
The moment Guy sets eyes on Austin, he knows Austin is The One. But Austin makes it clear he feels a responsibility to Todd, and Guy has some dark secrets of his own. He’s found redemption in acting and directing, but worries that if Austin learns the truth, he might not be able bear it. And what if Todd accepts Austin’s apology and the love Austin offers? Guy wants Austin desperately, but he also wants him to be happy. In the play of life, with the happiness of good men in the balance, anything could happen.
Austin and Todd were friends, Austin fell in love and hit on Todd, Todd freaked and ran. Now Austin is tracking Todd down and hoping that they both can live the life they should, out and proud.
What Austin finds is his Uncle Bodie and Guy. Together, all three men explore what it is to be true to yourself and your passion.
There is a lot of subtext and learning through the work Guy does in the theatre and this takes up a lot of page time.
The romance between Guy and Austin is filled with growth and learning the difference between true love and fantasy.
**
I did not read the first book in this series, though I’m told it works as a stand-alone and I think that’s accurate. I also LISTENED to this so that shaped my feelings as well.
On the one hand I ADORE Charlie David and when he gets to use his southern twang it is always a good narration! On the other hand, this is a very slow burn, character based, more coming of age book than a fast moving contemporary romance.
For me, it’s just not my favorite thing. I appreciated the growth of all the characters and the way the author used the theatre to demonstrate this growth, but I like my romances to be the central theme and at times the other characters and their stories took center stage.
I’d give the narration a 5 of 5 and the story a 2 of 5, so overall a 3 of 5 because it is an entertaining, nicely written story about men finding themselves and Charlie David does an excellent job brining life to the story with his narration.
