Title: Not All Chocolate and Cuckoo Clocks
Series: World of Love 18: Switzerland
Author: Rebecca Cohen
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (132pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-64080-073-1
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (12th January 2018)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Neither of them wants to fall in love, but getting exactly what they don’t want might be the best thing to ever happen to them.
Mark hopes his boredom with his current job will be alleviated by a short stint in Basel, Switzerland. When he meets Steffen, who struck out on his own from an old-money family to establish an IT firm, Mark expects some fun, great sex, and a clean break when his job is done. The arrangement is perfect for Steffen, who has been content with casual after a betrayal—and has a taste for British men after attending university in the UK. But as they explore the city’s rich history and traditions, Mark begins to see Steffen as much more than a tour guide with benefits. If he isn’t careful, the trip meant to break the lull in his career might end up breaking his heart instead….
World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.
Purchase Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Review: Mark is working in Basel for three months and while his work is challenging but good his home life is a bit bleak, when he meets Steffen his social life looks up but will he be able to let go when he returns to England. Steffen isn’t looking for anything permanent, meeting Mark has him hoping for a short fling but with Mark’s departure date looming before them Steffen hopes that Basel and himself have wormed their way into Mark’s heart.
Rebecca Cohen has woven a tale that brings the heritage of a city to life with her wonderful descriptions.
Mark and Steffen are two men just looking for company, their relationship starts out as work acquaintances but rapidly becomes more as they seek hot sex and friendship. They become close as Steffen shows Mark the delights of Basel, but while they both know that Mark’s time in Basel is limited they can’t help but wish for more.
I must say that I found it hard to stay connected with the story, while I loved discovering Basel I thought that for the length of the book there was a lot of detail about Basel that took away from Steffen and Mark’s relationship. I ended up not really seeing a connection between Mark and Steffen that would explain Mark making a permanent move to Basel, it just felt like they were investing too much for what we saw on page.
The story is wonderfully written and the characters are great guys, I just think the story got bogged down in so much detail about Basel that we miss a lot of interaction and development of Mark and Steffen’s relationship. That isn’t to say that what we did get wasn’t interesting and fun to watch because it was, but it’s muted and doesn’t really appear to be the focus of the story.
I recommend this to those who love travel and discovering heritage and customs, a relationship that blooms with love when neither man expects it, and a sweet happy ending.