Every summer Dreamspinner Press releases their Daily Dose, a set of 30 stories with a common theme. They are released a day at a time during the month of June for those who buy the set, or individually on June 1st. This year’s Daily Dose is called Mended and centers around a hurt/comfort theme. Over the course of the month, we will be reviewing some of the novellas individually, as well as doing some roundups of several short stories at once. You can find all our reviews of the 2014 Daily Dose here.
Title: Cleary Palit by Zahra Owens
Rating: 4.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance
Length: Novella
Edward “Ted” Cleary and Cazimir “Caz” Palit have shared their lives for the past eight years. They own a successful photography business together, share a house in California, and travel to exotic locations together, but have never shared the same bed.
One other thing Ted has not shared with Caz is that he has family in Georgia. The same family that disowned him when he told them he was gay. When he receives word that his mother is dying, his visit leaves him rejected all over again. Caz steps up for his friend and Ted’s hidden feelings for Caz might finally be returned.
Taking photos of the rich and famous leaves Caz as the front man for the photo duo Cleary Palit. Ted fades more into the background as he runs the business and is a Photoshop genius. Ted has always been attracted to Caz, along with a whole lot of other men, but he has never let it get anywhere near their partnership or friendship.
There is quite a bit of unpleasant family drama here. Ted goes to see his dying mother and is confronted by her coldness, as well as his true bitch of a sister who has utter disdain for Ted solely because he is gay. For as much as Ted and Caz have shared, no explanation is ever given for them never discussing external family. When long held emotions rise to the surface, Caz steps up for Ted and it’s a comforting friends to lovers tale.
Title: Rebuild by Emma Wilson
Rating: 4.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance
Length: Short Story
A car accident and a break up with his boyfriend leaves Sam injured and his car almost totaled. Sam moves near his parents to recover from his injuries and rents space in Alex’s garage to rebuild his damaged Mustang. Alex, who had a high school crush on Sam, offers much needed help with the car. While rebuilding the car, Sam may just rebuild his life as well.
Alex and Sam begin to bond over the shared experience of bringing the car back to life and Alex’s non-stop chatter becomes soothing to Sam’s soul. One plot issue was that Alex’s mother knows Alex and his sister very well, she helped them through a family crisis, and allows the car to be stored at the garage free of charge. It is never made clear how she knows them so well and yet Sam does not remember the family initially. Overall, however, it was a well paced story of two men finding friendship and the possibility of love.
Title: Changing the Things You Can by Ari McKay
Rating: 3.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance
Length: Novella
Devon is the front man for the famous rock band, Queen Anne’s Revenge. He returns to his hometown for the funeral of his best friend and band mate who has overdosed. When he enters the local bakery, Michael, the owner, instantly recognizes Devon. The two went to high school together and Michael always had a crush on Devon. When Devon has a breakdown in the bakery due to his fragile emotional state, Michael’s nurturing instincts come to the rescue.
This story was a very slow study of grief and guilt. Devon is devastated by the death of his best friend and blames himself. Michael sees an opportunity to take care of Devon as he buys Devon groceries, cooks for him, and when needed, stands up for him. Michael is so nurturing that he calls Devon, “honey,” on many occasions and has the urge to kiss the top of his Devon’s head, reminiscent of an elderly Southern woman.
There is not a lot of sexual tension or on page desire between these guys. It was hard to connect to them going full force into a relationship after one kiss. While some may find this a sweet story of nurture and comfort, it ultimately did not work well for me.
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
