Title: Derek
Series: N/A
Author: BG Thomas
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (70 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 26th, 2014)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Blurb: The end of his marriage leaves Derek Newton hurt and confused, but it also grants him the opportunity to embrace who he really is: a gay man. While navigating his new life with the help of friends in the local GLBT community, Derek meets Marshall Kenworthy, a man who embodies all his fantasies.
To Derek’s surprise, Marshall is as interested as he is, and they make a date. But a failure to communicate leads to a misunderstanding. The party they attend is not what Derek expected—at all—but Marshall, ever the gentleman, makes sure Derek feels comfortable. As they get to know each other, they see how much they have in common.
Derek begins to heal and soon realizes he might thrive in this new chapter of his life—and it just might be with Marshall by his side.
ISBN: 9781632166043
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5883
Reviewer: Prime
Review: Derek is the first book I’ve read by BG Thomas. This is a charming, sweet story full of angst and regret and hope, it’s fairly short so if you got a few half hour or so, you can enjoy this one.
The titular character, Derek, is gay and has just divorced (amicably) from his wife of eight years, Jen. They had gotten together when she had been the one to pick up the pieces after Derek’s first love, Rod, left him to marry a woman. He’s not far off of turning 30 and he feels as if he’s wasted his 20s.
This story is about Derek needing to let go of the past so that he can move on the bigger and better things. Although all I can think of is the line from the Lion King, “you got to put your behind in your past”. On the day his divorce comes through, Derek is left questioning himself and is the fateful day that he meets lesbian, Mara, who then introduces him to Marshall.
Marshall is the one that shows Derek he is more than the sum of two failed relationships. Minor characters such as Mara, her wife Elaine and Bobby Brubaker are quite charming, making sure that at every step of the way that there is someone to help Derek.
There is a lot of angst in this book, so much so I found myself getting a bit bored at times, and a bit exhausted. Don’t get me wrong, I was interested and I enjoyed this, but I found that Derek’s continual angst got to me. Otherwise, this is a well-written book with interesting characters, which noticeably develop.
I particularly liked the ending, probably because it was like finally, we made it through to the other side and its all smiles. I’ve noticed that at least one of the characters mentioned in passing, Cedar Carrington, was featured in BG Thomas’s Seasons series. So despite my opinion, I find myself just a little intrigued by the series.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *