Title: Wide Open Spaces
Series: States of Love 02: Wyoming
Author: Renee Stevens
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (98pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-63477-702-5
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (31st August 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 – 3 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Devon fled Wyoming as soon as he turned eighteen, leaving behind his high school love, Levi. After six years in the big city, Devon returns to his hometown. Not much has changed, except that Levi is no longer in the closet. He’s also single and living his dream—managing the local wild horse population. Both of them are very interested in picking up where they left off, but Devon is no more ready to reveal his orientation than he was as a teenager.
No one is going to shove Levi back in the closet—not even Devon. For a relationship to work, they’ll have to put the past behind them and find the courage to face the future as who they really are—a couple in love. But Devon doesn’t know if he’s strong enough. Maybe Levi would be better off without him—and his hang-ups.
States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States. (Written by various authors)
Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/wide-open-spaces-by-renee-stevens-7393-b
Review: When Devon left Wyoming for the big city when he was eighteen he was determined never to return even if he had left the man he loved behind, six years later Devon returns after realizing that he’s a small town boy at heart. Levi returned to Wyoming when he finished collage and although he had regrets about Devon leaving he understood why he did, but when Devon returns and they pick up their relationship Levi can’t help wonder if Devon is trying to push him back in the closet. Devon has to face his fear of coming out or he might just lose Levi for good.
This story is pretty good and the characters are interesting, we get to see these men reconnect and rediscover each other. Their love never really faded so it rekindles quite quickly, they are hot together and they are a great couple.
Levi is relaxed and comfortable with his sexuality, he came out while he was at collage and has refused to hide from the bigots. Devon was out in the city but now he’s home he has no intention of letting anyone know he’s gay, he’s scared of how they will act towards him so avoids all mention of his sex life. It causes tension between Levi and Devon when Levi realizes that Devon won’t go out in public with him even as friends, because Devon doesn’t want to be tarred with the gay brush.
Like I said earlier this story is pretty good but it does lack something, it meandered along at a decent pace but never quite struck the cord with me. I was expecting something more really, maybe more soul-searching and some more tension, but it kinda just fizzled out and left me feeling like there should have been more to the story.
I recommend this to those who love gentle rekindling love, finding the courage to be yourself and a kinda sweet happy ending.