Title: 500 Miles
Author: Parker Williams
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short (37pgs)
Publisher: ManLoveRomance (7th June 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Mark loves Jase, but will that be enough to bring Jase back from the brink after a devastating tragedy?
Since he was fourteen, Mark knew he loved Jase, his brother Eric’s best friend. As Jase and Eric leave for the Army, Jase leaves Mark something to hold onto, but when the two men are shipped to Afghanistan, things change when Jase tells Mark he’
s met someone. Confused and hurt, Mark is left to wonder what happened. Eric returns, but with devastating news – and needing Mark’s help. Can Mark help the man who broke his heart? Or will he let Jase push him away – for the second time?
Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=PM_500ML
This story is also available in Mixed Tapes Volume 01http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=MT1_0000
Review: Mark has been in love with Jase since he was fourteen. When Jase and Mark’s brother Eric join the army, Mark is devastated but he lives for the tapes that Jase sends. But, Mark is devastated when Jase admits he’s fallen in love. And, although Mark tries to get on with his life, the hurt still lingers. When Eric comes home and says Jase needs Mark, the truth comes pouring out, and Mark has to see if he can get over his lingering hurt to help Jase the man he still loves.
This fabulous short story has everything you could want and leaves you feeling satisfied. The story is written over a period of years and the way it is written is very smooth, the transition of flow is flawless. We start out when Mark is fourteen and Jase seventeen. Mark’s hero worship/crush develops into love and then Jase is leaving for the army, leaving Mark a tape. Over the next little while, we see Mark receive more tapes and it just strengthens his love until the day he is told by Jase that he has found love. Mark’s devastation leaps off the page.
Although this is, only a short story it packs a punch. It has a touch of angst, forgiveness, and pure love. What I loved most about this story is that when the truth came out Mark reacted, but didn’t linger too long on it. He faced what was done and finally understood why and he didn’t throw it in Jase’s face. There is angst, but then again it’s teenage first love angst. There are no harsh recriminations and Mark is actually shown to be much older than his years with his actions. Jase does what he thinks is right and you had to admire that about him. When he comes home from the army its one blow after another and the support he finds from Mark and his family just warms your heart.
I have to recommend this to everyone, it is just the perfect short read for some happy ever after that leaves a smile on your face.
Thank you so very much.
Pleasure Parker 🙂