Review: Richly satisfying
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 22, 2013
Diana DeRicci has written a powerful story about friendship, pain, love and heartbreak in The Charlie Factor. After being drugged and almost dying in a fire deliberately set by his ex-lover, Charlie Baker has retreated, too scarred and distrustful of anyone to deal with life. Gregory Anders and his dog Samson slowly, but surely drawn Charlie out of his shell with acceptance and friendship. Greg is totally shocked when he realizes that his feelings for Charlie have deepened into a lot more than friendship, and he wants a relationship with him. Charlie fights tooth and nail to keep the relationship with him strictly physical because he just knows that Greg will leave him eventually because he is too much of a burden physically, and he doesn't want to be hurt.This is a powerful character driven story with a plot that doesn't jump around from point to point with no sense of rhyme or reason. The characters are so very three dimensional, with doubts, fears, reluctance to risk being hurt, but also the capacity to love-no matter what kind of package offers that happiness. Charlie's ability to finally fight for what he wants, despite his fear of being hurt or left behind,reveals just how far he's come from where he started. The backstory reveals how and why the characters are in the place they are without overwhelming with too much trivial information. The sex is hot, passionate, and eventually emotionally satisfying after Charlie lets his guard down. The author's writing style is rich, eloquent, concise, and simple, and displays a sure knowledge of her subject. The story appears that it will have a bittersweet end, but a last minute surprise leaves everyone with a HEA ending after all. I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely story and would happily recommend it to anyone who wants a richly satisfying way to pass an hour or two.Trish's 4 1/2 sweet pea review appears at mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=12796