Reviewed by Kati Dancy
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
4.75 stars out of 5
Seth is aggravated when his regular massage therapist, Linda is unable to keep their regular appointment. That is, he’s aggravated until David shows up. David is wiry and adorable, and gives Seth the very best massage he’s ever had — that is, until Seth does something inappropriate at the appointment. David leaves in a (justifiable) huff and Seth worries that he’ll never see him again.
Seth’s life is complicated. He’s mourning his sister, Nikki, who died unexpectedly of advanced ovarian cancer, leaving him custody of his darling six year old niece, Molly. Seth is bewildered by Molly’s girly needs for pink or purple everything and her fascination with My Little Pony. Seth is a high powered executive, who works very hard, and has, in addition to losing his sister, recently gone through a painful and difficult breakup with his partner, Quinn. Quinn abandoned Seth during the crisis of Nikki’s death and Seth is still smarting and angry over it. Now Quinn is mysteriously back in town. On top of that, Molly’s drunkard biological father, Ben, is demanding things of Seth, and threatening to try to sue for custody of Molly. The last thing Seth needs is a new relationship.
And yet, he’s intrigued by David’s self assurance, his comfort in his own skin, and his wiry good looks. He likes that David calls him on being an ass when it’s needed, and he really appreciates that David is OK with Seth’s dominance in the bedroom. But with all the drama in Seth’s life, how will he and David connect? And will they be able to forge a real relationship?
LB Gregg’s second novella is an emotional whopper. It’s written completely from Seth’s point of view. Seth is a total guy, strong willed, and frankly, quite arrogant. But lucky for us, we get to see Seth’s inner monologue and we’re aware of his pain at losing his twin. Of his worry that he’ll mess something up in the raising of his niece. Of his reluctant and overwhelming attraction to David. And by letting us glimpse Seth’s innermost thoughts, LB Gregg’s talent as a gifted and deft author shines. I quite enjoyed Gobsmacked, the first in the Men of Smithfield series, but this book is even better. Flowing beautifully from scene to scene and enabling the reader to experience the gauntlet of all of Seth’s emotions.
Happy Ending is a beautifully written, entertaining, and emotional novella that I wholeheartedly recommend.
L.B. is giving away a copy of Happy Ending to one lucky poster.
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orannia
on May 17th, 2009
@ 3:00 am:
Thank you Kati! This line of your review has me completely hooked: LB Gregg’s second novella is an emotional whopper.
Maria Lokken
on May 17th, 2009
@ 7:44 am:
Kati – I haven’t read this series – but you’ve intrigued me. I quite enjoy a story that has you in an emotional knot and then gives you a satisfying ending.
Kati
on May 17th, 2009
@ 8:27 am:
You know, I think this M/M story is a good one for newbies to the genre to start with. The love scenes between the two characters are hot, but not too…out there. And the story is just such a lovely emotional one. Maria, I highly recommend the series and think you might really like it.
Marisa
on May 17th, 2009
@ 8:31 am:
Kati – I’ve got this one on my TBR pile and can’t wait to read it.
LB Gregg
on May 17th, 2009
@ 11:18 am:
You know, I think this M/M story is a good one for newbies to the genre to start with. The love scenes between the two characters are hot, but not too…out there. And the story is just such a lovely emotional one. Maria, I highly recommend the series and think you might really like it.
Kati~Thanks so much for that. I like to think that my stories are traditional romance based, because I have such a high regard for the genre. (Love. It.) I’m comfortable telling a funny, sexy, emotional love stories without too much..er… equipment. o_0
PJ
on May 17th, 2009
@ 4:05 pm:
Great review, Kati. Happy Ending sounds like a beautiful story. Is this print or e-book?
Kati
on May 17th, 2009
@ 4:18 pm:
PJ – It’s e-book, and a really quick and lovely read.
Nancy Yambor
on May 17th, 2009
@ 7:13 pm:
Great review, sounds like a wonderful story, can’t wait to read it!
Nancy
Gannon
on May 17th, 2009
@ 8:11 pm:
Great review, Kati! Sounds like a beautiful, heart-warming story.
Jan
on May 18th, 2009
@ 10:17 am:
I loved Gobsmacked and I am looking forward to Happy Ending!
Mary M.
on May 18th, 2009
@ 1:30 pm:
I had just read at CJ that this book was told from the alpha’s POV and I really liked that. Total guys strong-willed and arrogant are totally my type.
This book seems to have a plot and characters that appeal to me even more than Gobsmacked, and I thought Gobsmaked looked really interesting. Thanks for the review Kati!
I Heart Book Gossip
on May 18th, 2009
@ 5:48 pm:
I’ve heard great reviews about this book. Please count me in for the contest.
Marisa
on May 20th, 2009
@ 6:14 am:
LB says Jan is the winner. You should send an email to gayromance@gmail.com.
Jan
on May 20th, 2009
@ 8:31 am:
WooHoo!