Author: Linn Edwards
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Length: 62 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: Even though this is a cute story, it didn’t hold my attention, and I didn’t become invested in the characters or their relationship.
Reviewed By: Lindsey
Blurb: After a painful outing experience that was a defining moment for Ian, he left school early, earned his GED, and eventually moved on. But he never really lives in the open, as an out-and-proud gay man.
The morning after his sister’s wedding, Ian wakes up next to the best man at his sister’s wedding — Andrew. Though his new in-laws are “slightly homophobic,” Andrew is able and more than willing to keep Ian company … and more.
What surprises Ian even more is that Andrew is interested in more than just a one-night stand. Much more. Can a wedding night romance end up in a wedding of its own?
Review: This story, overall, was quick, sweet and, for some readers, will work as a perfect read over a lunch break—as long as you aren’t expecting too much in the way of development.
The premise was pretty adorable in the way the two MCs, Ian and Andrew, hooked up, and I was looking forward to seeing how everything played out. Had the book been drawn out a little bit longer, perhaps taking place over more than two days, or even just a few more pages, I could have become more engaged and enjoyed the story a bit more. But, I honestly just never connected with Ian and Andrew and found my mind wandering.
The plot was rushed, taking place in a two day span; three, if you count the first day, which happens before the start of the book. Sometimes a quick timeline can be pulled off, but balance in specific areas is key to my enjoyment of a story. As long as I am able to connect with the characters, a rushed timeline or underdeveloped plot can be overlooked. But character development is key; I need to care about them as individuals and in their relationship. Unfortunately, it just didn’t happen here.
If I had to point out exactly what left me feeling disengaged from the story and unable to become interested in what would happen between Ian and Andrew, it would probably be the amount of time dedicated to Frank, and also Frank’s son. This cut into my ability to form a connection to Ian and Andrew as individuals, and, subsequently, in their very new relationship. A substantial amount of both the MCs’ thoughts and actions revolved around Frank and his situation, more so than on each other. In a shorter story such as this, sharing a significant amount of on page time with a secondary character really threw off the development of the MCs and their building romance. There was very little time dedicated to Ian and Andrew together, and what little there was tended to be sexual. I don’t mind some hot and heavy, but I need a little more depth to become absorbed in a relationship.
I think the idea for the plot is adorable, in that meet-cute kind of way, but I think—for me at least—more interaction between Ian and Andrew would have grabbed my attention and held it better, as both characters had a good foundation but were just underdeveloped. Even though this is a cute story, it didn’t hold my attention, and I didn’t become invested in the characters or their relationship.
You can buy My Best Man here:
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