The Absent-Minded Astrophysicist by TN Tarrant

Title:  The Absent-Minded Astrophysicist

Series:  A Mind Is a Sexy Thing

Author:  TN Tarrant

Genre:   Contemporary

Length:  Novella

Publisher:  Silver Publishing (April 28, 2012)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts                                                                             

Blurb:   Dr. Liam McGregor is a well-respected astrophysicist, astrobiologist and geologist, and he’s only twenty-three. With no family, few friends, and no romantic prospects, he’s gotten used to being alone. Focusing on his various scientific projects and taking care of his decidedly unusual cat help keep the loneliness at bay.

Jareth Manning is starting life over, a new town, new job, after the loss of his husband. The last thing he expected was for the most absentminded, and beautiful, man he’d ever seen to take up residence in his heart. Nor did he expect to find himself a willingly humble slave to Her Imperial Highness, Empress the Cat. But Jareth has learned that love doesn’t come around often, so when it does, hold onto it with both hands.

Jareth is willing to be patient, if Liam is willing to take the risk, after being badly burned before.

They just have to survive Liam’s past returning.

Product Link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/products_id/1049/

Reviewer:   Portia

Review:  Liam has not had a normal childhood.  Recognized as a genius very early, he has always been the odd duck out.  Someday he’ll get around to doing the stuff that other twenty-somethings do, but right now, he has a galaxy to map.

I really enjoyed this book.  Too often geeks are portrayed as just closet freaks. They just need the right person to come along a boom…all of their gawkiness will evaporate during the afterglow.  That only works in fairy tales.  In real life, someone as isolated as Liam is going to have serious issues.  He’s never mingled with his peers, his parents were both MENSA, and he had multiple doctorates before he left his teen.  Poor Jareth, who is still grieving from the senseless death of his husband, is the perfect man to let Liam wrap his head around the logistics of romance.

There were several things that endeared this book to me.  The first was the level of thought and scholarship that went into the medical components.  I love when a book deals with sensitive issues without getting too maudlin.  In this case, Jareth had to deal with months of chronic pain.  Chronic pain is a very real issue and the author presented it brilliantly.  The other thing I liked was the length of time from meeting to mating.  Jareth courted Liam.  There is no other word that adequately describes the walks and the dinners and the cuddling.  Liam was damaged enough to jump into bed with Jareth long before they did.   When they finally get down and dirty, there is no doubt in Liam’s mind that he is cared for.  Their lovin’ is sweet and erotic and well worth the wait. Oh…and I loved the Liam’s “baby” (a real scene stealer that one.)

This was my first TN Tarrant read.  Not sure if she even has a backlist, but know that I’ll be Googling her name to find out.  Highly recommend.