What's in a Name by Pat Henshaw

Title: What’s in a Name
Series: N/A
Author: Pat Henshaw
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (90 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 21st, 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: Barista Jimmy Patterson thinks it’s a good idea to get rip-roaring drunk on his birthday after he’s dumped by his boyfriend. When the burly owner of Stonewall’s Bar recues Jimmy, the night starts to look up.

Now Jimmy just wants to know the bartender’s first name since he’s worn a different nametag every time Jimmy’s seen him. “Guy” Stone gives Jimmy seven guesses, one for each night. He takes Jimmy out on a date.

While Jimmy’s trying to come up with his name, he’s distracted by the destruction of his coffee shop and what looks more and more like a hate crime.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-399-8

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5965

Reviewer: Prime

Review: This is one pretty damn cool and well-written story. Jimmy is a sweetheart and it’s difficult not to instantly feel sorry for this self-confessed twink. To top it all off, he’s attracted to the big bear of a man behind the bar at the only gay bar in town.

The mystery is no one knows his name. They just know him as whichever nametag he was wearing when last seen or taken notice of. This makes Jimmy determined to work it out.

It’s certainly different having the entire plot predicated on a character trying to guess something about the other main character. In fact, I really enjoyed how the chapters were set up and it was really well paced too. Every couple of chapters, when it gets to the end of the night after Jimmy and “Guy” have been out, it’s a short period of calm as we see what Jimmy has come up with.

Then between all these guesses, Jimmy chronicles the drama that is unfolding around him, drama that “Guy” is more than willing to get involved in as long as Jimmy is kept safe. “Guy” is a teddy bear in every way possible and I found him instantly likable. His refusal to give his real name is more mischievous than annoying.

I really enjoyed the pacing and the cast of characters in this book. This is the type of book you can sit back and just read without thinking too much. Really, this is just a bit of funny with some mystery thrown in but not too much danger.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *