Review: A Day at a Time by Nic Starr

Author: Nic Starr

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Pages/Word Count: 77 Pages

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Blurb: Sean Vargos is quiet, well respected, and dedicated to his job. But Dave Simpson sees Sean as more than a coworker. He’s fought his attraction to Sean for months but can’t get him out of his thoughts.

They tentatively embark on a relationship, but Sean isn’t all that he seems. He struggles to put his past behind him and overcome his fears.

Dave, with his good looks and open nature, accepts that sometimes Sean’s doubts get the better of him and he runs. Dave just wants the chance to show Sean he can be trusted and the past doesn’t have to dictate their future.

Review: A Day at a Time is a Novella following Dave Simpson and Sean Vargos. Both men work at a marketing firm in middle management positions. Dave is an effusive and outgoing guy. Sean, on the other hand, has scars which have caused him to withdraw into himself. Eventually Dave works up the courage to ask Sean on a date, and things seem to be going well…until they reach the bedroom. Then Sean takes off. The rest of the story centers around Dave and Sean finding their way together.

I’m always amazed at authors who write short stories and novellas. It is so difficult to construct deep characterization, well-developed plotlines, and enough emotion to draw the reader in. Ms. Starr does all of these things well in the story.

The only thing preventing me from giving this a 5 star rating is the passage of time over the course of the story. Starting with an intense connection occurring within the first day, time then warps into high gear, passing to establish that the couple has been together for weeks. While this gives greater credibility to the intensity and connectedness of the main love interests, I found myself curious as to why Sean waited so long to provide his explanation of what caused him to run.

The writing style was seamless, rich in detail and painting emotions through character actions and dialogue. Side characters played an appropriate role, not over, or under, appearing.

All in all, a lovely read. I’ll definitely be picking up more books by Ms. Starr.