Title: At Piper’s Point, 2nd edition
Author: Ethan Day
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Extended Novel
Publisher: Wilde City Press (July 24th, 2013) First published July 27th, 2010
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Ten years and many boyfriends later, Cassidy Winters finally returns to the ancestral home of his late grandmother, Sadie Hart, despite the best efforts of his father to prevent it. Cassidy’s plans of a quiet, seaside ceremony to wish a final farewell to Sadie quickly unravel. Interruptions run roughshod, beginning with Neil, who walks out of the ocean and straight into Cassidy’s bed. The dominos topple one by one when the little dog he rescues from the hounds of hell brings him to Ben, the hunky vet who rescues Cassidy right back. News of his arrival spreads faster than Cassidy’s legs, bringing his boyhood friend and first love Nate Sommers to his doorstep — leaving Cassidy spiraling into a multi-layered love snafu. As if the island wasn’t getting crowded enough for Cassidy’s good taste and bad decisions, best friends Ollie and Spencer arrive in time to witness the uninvited return of Cassidy’s most recent ex, Teddy, who’s refusing to stay dumped.
Fists fly and all hell breaks loose amid mojitos and martinis while Cassidy finds himself planning a huge party to celebrate Sadie’s life. Accusations are aimed as arguments and libidos boil over, but even through the chaos, Cassidy knows exactly who he wants. While he’s certainly willing, he isn’t sure if he’s ready or able for love and life at Pipers Point.
Product Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/at-pipers-point/#.Uj9Od4anqU5
Review: This was a very interesting story to read. I fell in love with it not in first sight, but in a steady pace as the story evolved. At first, I admit I thought it was a bit too melancholic for me. As I went on reading I had resigned myself for a bittersweet kind of book, hence the hilarity that followed caught me unaware. I am now thankful I wasn’t eating or drinking anything while reading, because I don’t think I would survive the gathering of Cassidy’s exes, old and new, unscathed.
And that brings me to the many characters of this book. I think I’m in love… with all of them – yes, even Tom, the last character to be introduced at the very end of the book. I think I love them all because each and every one of them was so very unique.
Cassidy is, ah, how should I put this, a man-whore you cannot fail to adore. He’s a natural charmer, irresistible, and insatiable, yet he’s also the most vulnerable creature in this little corner of the world.
Raised in richness Cassidy lack the love of his parents, who were both cold people, especially his father. Yet he was fortunate enough to spend his summer with his Sadie (she refused to be called grandmother) who loved him unconditionally. His grandmother’s unique personality and immeasurable love shaped Cassidy’s own character and gave him strength he otherwise might not have had to keep on fighting for her when she needed him to against his own father. Alas! His failure hunts him and guilt rides his heart. Finally, after years of legal fights Cassidy is able to bring his Sadie back home to Piper’s Point for the last goodbye. But he forgets one thing; Sadie was not only his, she belonged to Hart’s.
It is a journey really this book, a journey into growing up, owning yourself and the world around you, and finally finding and accepting love. Cassidy has to relive his past, own his present, and be open to his future, all the while Nate, his best friend, first lover, and first and only love stands by him through his journey. I think those two are the world’s greatest teasers I’ve ever seen in a book. The entire read was one great tease, and by God even I felt I was about to lose it with Nate’s antics.
Spencer and Ollie, Cassidy’s best friends (and both exes), were an incredible couple adding humor and fun to the mix, as were Neil (the new ex) and Teddy (the second to last ex) with their rivalry over our man-slut. These characters had a great effect in dispelling the melancholic situation this entire story revolves around. And Natalie (Nate’s mother) *groans* oh my God, Natalie; I will remember this character and her kitchen scene for as long as I live. I’m still wincing inwardly for them damned bite-marks.
But the greatest character of them all for me was the deceased Sadie Hart, the great Lady of Piper’s Point. She was simply brilliant, even dead!
This is such a multi-dimensional book and I could talk/write for it for hours. In the end, what you need to know is that it’s brilliantly written and that you will have the best time reading it. Strongly recommended!