Review: 4.5  Solid story w/ a brief m/m/f scene you may want to avoid
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 24, 2014
I've loved all of Josh Lanyon's stories- every stinking one, so I was taken aback when I came across some negative reviews online for this story. It put me off reading it for a while, but I caved when I realized I'm down to about 3 left to read on the JL backlist. I'm glad I gave it a chance because I really liked it. Do I like it as much as some of his other works? No, but it's well worth a read- as long as an m/m/f scene isn't going to make you go ballistic.Yeah, I wasn't a fan of the m/m/f plot device but I can live w/ it because of the plausibility of it in real life. A closeted man in GA trying to convince himself that sex is just sex, regardless of the partner? Trying to disguise his deeper, truer desires by adding a woman to the mix? Pretty sure it happens more than I'd think. Did I wish Jeff had found another way to illustrate his point to Austin? Yep, you betcha. What it ended up doing was the opposite. Rather than proving it's just physical, Jeff ends up being remorseful that he'd hurt Austin. There was an ick factor here for me, but I still wanted these MCs to be with each other.The story overall was entertaining & I liked the secondary characters. They added a certain Southern charm & zaniness. Even the female addition to the 'ick' scene was harmless & charming in her own way. This is Lanyon so there is a mystery, but it felt a bit on the light side in this story. Still, very interesting w/ the wine facts & history. I also enjoyed the downfall of Austin's professional nemesis at the end. It was referenced in brief passing but still satisfying.The writing was excellent- goes w/out saying, but I do think there was more exposition in the story vs illustration via action/dialogue than I'm used to from Lanyon. The most heartfelt parts were definitely w/ Austin & you want to give him a hug and a kick in the ass sometimes. His brother, Ernest, was a gem, as was their relationship. I loved the references to Austin's stepmoms & stepsisters by their number in the family roster.The only complaint I EVER have w/ Lanyon's stories is that they tend to end rather abruptly, & this one felt even more so than usual. I found Lanyon's Merry Christmas, Darling codas which gives you a brief, but further, glimpse into a slew of MCs lives, but Austin & Jeff are not on the list. Bummed because I'd like to check in w/ these guys to see how they're doing. It was a little too open-ended for me. Mr Lanyon, EPILOGUES WELCOME!!!Not a Lanyon favorite but still recommend! (But NOT if the m/m/f scene is going to make you angry- you've been forewarned!)