Title: A Shot at Forgiveness
Author: Cardeno C.
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short (68pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st June 2013)
Heat: Explicit
Heart: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: A dozen years, two thousand miles, and a law degree after high school, Rafi Steiner continues to harbor resentment toward Isaac Jones, his childhood bully turned NBA star. When Isaac appears at Rafi’s favorite restaurant acting like a long-lost friend, Rafi bluntly dismisses him.
But Isaac is tenacious and has his heart set on the grown-up version of the boy he always wanted and never forgot. The way Isaac sees it, he, and Rafi are perfect for each other, if only he could sink the most important shot of his life: his one shot at forgiveness.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3838
Can also be purchased as part of Dreamspinner’s 2013 Daily Dose: Make a Play:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3919&cPath=63_854
Review: Rafi suffered years of torment in school. He thought he had put it all behind him until his tormentor boldly walks up to him a restaurant and acts as if they were long-lost friends. Dismissing Isaac from his life is harder than Rafi thought because Isaac blithely blasts through his defenses. Isaac has no intention of letting Rafi ignore him. He knows his behavior in school was wrong, but there was some good as well. Now if he can just get Rafi to forgive him, he could have what he has always dreamed of.
This is a great light read that touches on high-school bullying, seeing things in a different light, forgiveness, and love. Rafi is a wonderful character. Even though he was bullied, he came out the other side determined to never be a doormat. Rafi is so dismissive of Isaac that you can’t help but giggle. His internal dialog was funny and his forgiveness of Isaac wasn’t instant or easily won. Isaac is a character that you want to have harsh feelings for, but the thing is he comes across as cute and sweet. Blithely ignoring the past as best he can, so that he has a chance to win Rafi’s affection.
I really enjoyed this story. The descriptions and scenes had me laughing unexpectedly in places. Rafi is a character that I would love a full-length novel about, he was great. Isaac is brilliant, too, just in a much different way. They were perfect characters together making this a very good story. I loved seeing Isaac remind Rafi of the times that he helped Rafi, of the revelation that Isaac’s behavior hid his real feelings and that Isaac tried so hard to please Rafi. I absolutely loved that Rafi didn’t fall at Isaac’s feet because he was rich and famous, that he didn’t want anything to do with Isaac, and, although he wanted to hold a grudge he still gave Isaac a chance.
I recommend this to those who want a great short read, giggles and laughs, great characters, hot sex, brilliant descriptions and a great forgiveness story.