Dreamspinner Presents http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5782
Blurb
Couples counselor Ted Freeman is still reeling six months after his partner left him. He desperately hopes a week of peace and quiet at a quaint mountain cabin will be just what he needs to regain his personal and professional confidence.
Neil Kelly is a computer programmer who just got promoted to full time and is celebrating over Christmas by going on his first real grown-up vacation at the Cabins in the Pines Inn. When he runs into Ted, his longtime crush, Neil can’t believe his luck, and he vows to do whatever it takes to make Ted see him as something other than the dork next door.
Neil wasn’t part of Ted’s plan for the holidays, but he might turn out to be exactly what Ted needs.
Review
Ted is 6 months out of a bad break-up and spending Christmas alone at a cabin he had reserved for his partner and himself before the break up. He’s evaluating not only his break-up but his career choice, since he’s a couples therapist who didn’t see his own break-up coming.
Neil is Ted’s neighbor who’s been crushing on Ted for years, but always gets tongue tied in front of the hot guy and his douche of a partner. He buys himself a holiday getaway package (not knowing Ted will be there) to reward himself for getting his degree.
When Ted first spies Neil, he’s really mean because he doesn’t want company and he’d always thought Neil was a bit too scatter-brained for his tastes. Neil is crushed, but he’s a forgiving sort and when Ted apologizes nicely, they agree to spend some of their holiday together.
Neil’s fresh-faced optimism is just the breath of fresh air Ted needs to see things from a new perspective. In addition, Neil pushes all his buttons sexually, and makes him laugh like he hasn’t in years.
Though Neil is a few years younger and Ted is a bit more jaded, there may be a match made in heaven between these two neighbors after all.
**
I really enjoyed this short holiday story about finding love where you don’t expect it.
I really, really, really liked Neil and though Ted was a bit of a downer, he did turn around a bit toward the end and got to a point where I thought he just might be good for Neil.
Since this is a short-story we really only get a HFN but it looks very promising.
The sex is pretty steamy and the story is pretty sweet. I give it a 3.5 of 5 hearts.
