Title: Coming of Age

Series: Celebrate! 2014 Advent Calendar

Author: Venona Keyes

Genre: Contemporary/Holiday

Length: Short (32 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-63216-763-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 1st, 2014)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Akiyoshi ‘Aero’ Kurokuma, author of the wildly popular Manga, Ecos, lost his assistant when his best friend retired. After Aero collapses from exhaustion four years later, he is forced to run a contest for an assistant. Placing impossible rules on the contest, Aero is sure no one can win. But a winner emerges: a young man from America, Daniel Beck. The first time he lays eyes on Daniel, Aero realizes he’ll have a hard time hiding his attraction. Daniel is a perfect assistant, but it doesn’t help Aero see past the twenty-year age difference between them. It will take all of Daniel’s charm and the prayers offered at the shrine to make Aero take a chance on the romance they both want.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5867

Review: This is another beautiful story in a fabulous collection, most set in other countries. This one is set in Japan.

Aero is a popular manga artist. Though he is gay, he lives alone and doesn’t do anything to jeopardize his success. After four years of not having an assistant and working himself nearly to death. His best friend and business manager insists he get help.

Daniel has been corresponding with Aero since he was eight. Fascinated with manga and Japanese culture he has learned all the customs and the language as well. He wins the contest to become Aero’s assistant but wants to be much more.

I loved the simplicity of this story yet all the beauty of the culture. I really like May /December relationships and would have loved to see more of this budding relationship.

If you like Japanese culture, Manga, Yaoi, and May/ December, interracial relationships this is for you.