Blurb
Well-known artist Ellis Williams is in a slump and feeling all his fifty-three years. He’s lost the joy which used to permeate his painting and despairs of ever regaining it. It doesn’t help when he runs into a young man who comes on to him to win a bet, thus destroying more of Ellis’s confidence.
Then, at a party, Ellis meets Martin Lovell, a man his age whose partner died soon after they adopted their son. Will these two middle-aged men learn they should never let go of hope? Or is it too late for men their age to open themselves to the possibility of love and being loved?
Review
Ellis is a misanthropic artist, living on his own outside New Orleans. He’s fairly happy to be reclusive, only occasionally feeling that yearning for human (sexual) contact. Lately, though, his art (his true mistress) has been lacking spark, so he finds himself seeking out human contact for the first time in years.
Martin is a widower, father of a 10 year old, and a basically wonderful, big-hearted guy. He meets Ellis after Ellis has just been “played” by a 20-something at a bar and is feeling particularly despondent.
The two start a VERY slow relationship that only very, very gradually develops into something more.
**
This is a slow burn romance that spends more time with developing Ellis than the relationship. It’s terribly sweet, low steam and very nice, but not something amazing or fantastic.
I enjoyed watching Ellis’ art transform as he felt more and more for Martin and I loved that there was no drama with the child.
It’s a nice, short story of love between guys over 50 and I enjoyed it very much.
4 of 5 hearts
