Review: Heartfelt, sweet story to fall in love with
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2014
What can I say but poor, poor Lyle. I have to admit when we first meet Lyle I wanted to know what the heck was wrong with him. He was so alone even if he didn't admit it to himself. I loved the way his friends took charge and talked him into taking the transfer, saying that a change of scenery would be good for him and you know what, it is! This is a charmingly sweet tale of a two lonely men finding their way to one another by a quirk of fate. I just love this author’s work and his stories are my go to reads when I need a pick me up after a rough day or just a chance to smile a bit when the world is all gray and ugly. His stories have heart which makes mine melt whenever I pick up one of Andrew Grey’s books.It's full of angst, drama, comedy and more that charmed me right from the begining and I have to admit, now I want some of Roger's food.I just love Lyle and Roger together. You could see these both needed the friendship the other offered and soon, both men find their hearts engaged even if they are scared to the bone about it. The author does a great job in capturing Roger’s battle with Alcoholism & sobriety perfectly. He doesn’t preach about it and puts it in such a way that the reader is rooting for Roger to not take a drink and instead embraces a new friend. What I loved even more was how Lyle found himself slowly becoming part of the community, meeting the townsfolk, getting on in life and embracing all it offered in baby steps.Roger on the other hand has been scared to rock the boat with his ex on his case for being gay, not sticking up for himself and his daughter being his whole world. But when Roger meets Lyle, Roger finds the strength to stick up for himself and that made me sit up and cheer as I rooted for Roger to finally tell his evil witch of an ex to back off and to show his daughter that being gay means not being different. The secondary characters are perfectly written and I loved how Lyle’s friends came to town to visit him, bringing lightheartedness to the story that had me giggling at times over their quips and remarks.Dumped in Oz is a perfect summer time beach read or rainy afternoon read that picks your spirits up and delivers a smile on your face at the end. Mr. Grey is my go to author whenever I need that smile after a particular rough day or even when I need just a heartfelt story to enjoy again. His writing just delivers something tot he heart of the reader that once it takes hold, never lets go. With his emotional yet tender story of two lonely people finding their way to one another, he gives us a story that has its lighter moments and then some really nasty moments that had me growling under my breath as I flipped the page of the e-reader.If you are looking for a perfect introduction to this author's writing then I highly recommend Dumped in Oz and I can honestly say you will fall in love with his writing and his books. Now I need to get the second book to see what happens next in Wamego, Kansas, which by the way is a real place. :-)