Review: Hot, emotional and well written
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 17, 2012
Starfish and Coffeeby Kele Moon -5 stars (4.5 stars)Starfish and Coffee by Kele Moon opens with a glimpse into Alex Hunter's heartbreak from years ago.  I truly enjoyed how this story played out, you start by seeing the heartache and then Ms Moon makes you back 6 years and you allows you to experience these two men falling in love.On a vacation island, these two men are from opposite side of the tracks; Alex Hunter is a local while Matt Harrington is from one of the richest families tovacation on the island.Both men at smokin hot and Ms Moon paints a very clear picture of that.Alex knows he is gay though he is not open about his sexuality due fear of living in the small town of Mirabella Island were he was a high school baseball hero.To outsiders Matt Tarrington appears powerful to destined for a life most men only dream of with mansions, yachts and servants and access to any women he wants. Problem is none of that makes his happen.These two men are thrown together when Matt choses to take a year off and escape to Mirabella Island where he ends up working with Alex as a line cook; well where Alex needs to train Matt to be a cook since Matt has never really had to do anything for himself.Ms Moon does a wonderful job painting instant chemistry between these two men.  Matt starts to see that his attraction to Alex as part of what has been lacking in his life; and though Alex jokes that he is an experimental phase to Matt; Matt is not so sure.It is a wonderful journey to watch these two men discover each other and to watch their relationship develop.  Matt who has never allowed himself to be with a man and Alex who yes recognizes he is gay were never drawn enough to someone to want a real relationship, Alex always too fearful of what being openly gay would mean for his safety or his life in this small island.The back in forth in this relationship was wonderfully done, the more Alex jokes about Matt being straight or bisexual the more it becomes clear just how much Matt wants to be with Alex forever.These men enjoy each others company and develop nicknames for each other that will melt your heart; Matt and Lexie truly compliment each other and you feel their love for each other.Well, since the book opens with a broken heart, it is not spoiler to tell you these two are torn apart.And I have to say it was refreshing to read this story in this order, a change from many books that start with a relationship building.  I do have to warn you that even though you know the breakup is coming does not make it any less gut wrenching.Kele make these characters come to life and my heart broke with them when the relationship ended.Ms Moon also did a nice job with the secondary characters in this book; Alex's best friend Holly and his brother Will make a nice addition to the story and I hope Ms Moon tells their story as well.After six years of longing and just making it through the day will Alex and Matt find the second chance they both desperately need.Well, you will have to Starfish and Coffee to find that out.But I will say Kele tells a complete story, one with an epilogue, and it was the epilogue that for me made this book more than 4 stars, it was well done, realistic and heartwarming.Starfish and Coffee by Kele Moon was 4 1/2 star read for me, so on most sites that makes it a 5 stars read.I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.