Title: My Favorite Uncle
Author: Marshall Thornton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel (312 pages)
Publisher: Wilde City Press (June 25th 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 2.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Martin Dixon’s carefully constructed, peaceful life is turned upside down when his super Christian eighteen-year-old nephew Carter shows up unexpectedly on his doorstep and announces he’s gay. Martin’s first impulse is to send him back to his parents. But when he discovers that Carter has been in a mental hospital to cure his gay-ness he realizes he’s stuck with the boy.
Unfortunately, the two get on each other’s nerves, each driving the other to distraction. Independently, however, they each arrive at the same conclusion. The other would be much less annoying if he only had… a boyfriend.
Purchase Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/my-favorite-uncle/#.VBjMRvldVGQ
Review: Martin Dixon’s predictably scheduled life quickly turns chaotic when his 18-year-old nephew shows up on his doorstop. Young Carter sort of ran away from one of those ‘fix the gay’ places and went to the only person he could think of that would help him. His gay uncle, of course! A sort of dark hilarity ensues as Martin tries to steer his young, inexperienced and naive nephew in the right direction.
Carter quickly makes friends with a transgender woman at work, Buffy, and catches the eye of an older suitor, Henry. At first, Carter looks at Henry as a suitable man for his uncle, but comes to realize that Henry actually has eyes for him. Of course, Uncle Martin does not like the idea of his nephew dating someone who is twice his age, and he has no idea how to talk to the teenager. He winds up doing more harm than good in the beginning, and winds up pushing Carter away.
At the same time Martin is trying unsuccessfully to be somewhat of a parent to Carter, he meets someone and his ex makes a re-appearance in his life. The question remains, can a middle-aged single guy with a loner persona take on the issues and drama that come with a gay, horny teenager? I guess we are about to find out!
While the concept of this story intrigued me, the execution was lacking. I found myself skimming in several places where the story was overly descriptive. There was a lack of romantic connection between any of the couples, and the few times I think, there was supposed to be some passion between characters, it didn’t translate well in the writing. I enjoyed the humour that was peppered throughout though. Whether it was Carter’s snarky comments for his uncle or the friendship between Martin and his best friend, the comedic turns were well done.
I’m torn with this one, it was just an okay read for me. I think, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, that were the story a hundred or so pages shorter and some of the overly descriptive text removed, it would change the outcome of this read for me. If you are a fan of Thornton’s other works and ready for a bit of a funny read, this book might work better for you.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *