Title: What There Is
Series: N/A
Author: Kate McMurray
Genre: MM / Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella (67 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 31st, 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥2.5~3 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Former professional baseball player Justin Piersol needs a new life after a career-ending injury, and his job as a high school baseball coach isn’t exactly fulfilling. Still, things are looking up: he finds the perfect room in an apartment in Brooklyn with Mark, who writes a popular column on sports statistics.
Mark is nerdy and socially awkward and intensely shy, and he immediately develops a terrible crush on Justin, who barely seems to notice him. As they get to know each other, Justin admits he misses playing baseball, that coaching doesn’t scratch the itch. Mark confesses he thought he’d be married by now, that he wants a serious relationship. So they make a pact: Justin will help Mark find a man, and Mark will help Justin find something he loves more than baseball.
They put their plan into action… and then life gets complicated. Mark meets a nice guy named Dave, and Justin is suddenly crazy with jealousy. Justin realizes he wants to let go of the past and focus on the present, but as Mark and Dave become an item, Justin fears he’s too late.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4047
Review: A very nice, short story with the old-time classic theme of two roommates falling for each other. The saying of you only see what you got in front of you once it goes away was supporting the prime theme and made for a little alleviation from the smooth and sweetly going plot.
The characters were simple enough; Mark, a shy guy who doesn’t have the guts to go for what he wants, and Justin, a gorgeous athlete who lost his chance on being pro and sulks around thinking what if. It was clear where the plot was going from line one, when Mark opened the door to show his new roomy the apartment. The entire romantic plot was transparent and even when Mark started dating Dave the element of intensity was somehow lacking. No drama or angst here, simply the wait while our protagonists solved things over and just as smoothly came together.
While there was a serious lack of chemistry or anything that would grip you and make you a slave to the read for the duration, I still enjoyed it. Somehow, this book came just when I needed a very light and romantic read to simply sooth me through the day, hence I’m recommending it for such occasion.