Author picture

T.J. Masters

Author of Taking the Gardener

7+ Works 25 Members 6 Reviews

Series

Works by T.J. Masters

Associated Works

Simmer Anthology (2016) — Contributor — 5 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Other names
O'Rahilly, Tim

Members

Reviews

A refreshingly different type of romance, complete with flawed characters. There is a bit of BDSM, but not enough to classify this story as a real BDSM with guys who live the lifestyle 24/7.

Eric and Tom are fascinating, realistically drawn, unsure of themselves and their feelings, yet courageous enough to face thier unconventional desires.
The book can't be classified as m/m romance either, as Eric and Tom, although in love with each other, are able to separate their emotions and serial desires, inviting other people into their sex life from time to time.

The side characters, Megan, Scott and the rest are not as skilfully portrayed, however this does not overall detract from the storyline.

If you are looking for a perfect cookie-cutter romance, with perfect hero's, then avoid this story, but if you prefer your stories to have flawed yet sympathetic characters with human faults and foibles, this is a good book for reading.
… (more)
 
Flagged
Bramptonite | 2 other reviews | Apr 21, 2023 |
Ben Thompson has been a bit lonely since the loss of his partner, but he's invested his passion into the library he manages. A lover of books, he enjoys being able to share them with his community. And he has a great team of staff to work with. When a new young man shows up at the library, piquing the interest of Ben's shrewd assistant, Ben finds himself more than curious. What's even more interesting is that the new patron spends hours in the library, but he never checks out a book.

Jason Barnes loves books. So he relishes his daily trips to the library, where he finds so many readily at this disposal. But there's something that makes Jason a unique library patron--he can't read. It's not something he's proud of, and he's found many ways to cope so most people don't even know. But when the head librarian shows him some kindness and manages to figure it out, Jason decides to let Ben give him some lessons. It's just that literacy skill isn't Jason's only secret. And as the two become fast friends--and maybe more--Jason wonders if Ben can handle Jason's past and who he's become as a result.

--

The obvious issue this book throws out from the beginning is age. Ben is forty-eight; Jason is nineteen. But the author doesn't dwell on it. It's addressed--some people would definitely have an issue with that age gap--but it's handled respectfully and with tact. And even if you might have an issue with that as a reader, I think you'd find that it's not as big of a deal in this book as it may seem.

Where things get more challenging is Jason's history of abuse and the issues of his illiteracy. It sounds like what Jason went through was pretty horrific, yet it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal in the end. And while I understand everyone works through their issues differently, it just seems odd to me that there's not as much worry or discussion on Ben's part as I would expect before they jump into any sort of a relationship. And while people can find many ways to hide that they can't read, there are moments when I wonder how Jason would have made it as far as he did in school without anyone noticing. Unless they did and didn't care. But the author doesn't really give us that, so it's hard to tell.

Slight issues aside, this is an interesting read. The supporting cast of characters is incredible. Daisy, the shrewd assistant, went from someone I didn't like to one of my favorite characters by the end. And Alice, Jason's grandmother, is a riot all her own. I suppose that helps balance out some of the heavy stuff Jason is going through.
… (more)
 
Flagged
crtsjffrsn | 1 other review | Aug 27, 2021 |
Too many parents reject their children for being gay, but it is rare to see them coming around. Sometimes this only happens years later and, as is the case in ‘Dear Santa, Dear Dad’, the change of mind is caused by a life-changing event. Steven lost his wife two years earlier, and it has given him the impetus and the time to reconsider things. As a result it only takes one letter from his son’s boyfriend to make Steven embark on a “crazy” mission with the objective of attempting a reconciliation.

Steven is an impulsive man, so he drives up to the north of England a couple of days before Christmas for a “surprise” visit. Once he sees Andy again and meets the boyfriend, Peter, who started everything, it becomes clear to Steven that things are not as straightforward as they were in his head. He was ready to apologize and wants to make amends, but the resentment Andy still harbors goes much deeper than Steven expected.

What I like about the story is the slow catching up Andy and Steven do, not rushing into things but taking it step by step. Yes, it happens comparatively quickly, but it did not feel rushed to me. Seven years of animosity and anger (on Andy’s part) and the sheer ignorance of how a gay relationship works (on Steven’s side) made that fairly slow getting-to-know-each-other process essential. Peter was there as a supporting element in the background, but it’s clear that he plays a significant role in not just the initial step to get Steven there, but also in the eventual rapprochement between father and son. It was a beautiful thing to watch!

If you like thoughtful stories about real issues, if you think that parents and their children should always keep a door open to let in forgiveness, no matter how hard they fight, and if you’re looking for a charming read about finding peace, then you will probably like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (more)
 
Flagged
SerenaYates | Oct 14, 2017 |
The book description had me at Ben being a librarian and a passionate book lover, but then there was the riddle of Jason visiting the library almost every day without ever checking out a book – and I was hooked. This is a fantastic story about two amazing men who have a lot to deal with beyond the fact that they are gay. As it turns out, this is not a problem for any of the people in Ben’s life. But the age difference they face is almost thirty years, and Jason has had a traumatic childhood resulting in more issues to overcome than most young men his age. This could have been a book full of angst and drama, but instead Ben and Jason’s story turned out to be a slow-paced, gentle romance that focuses on the growth and changes that happen as they get to know each other.

For all that Ben works well with people, it takes him quite a while to figure out why Jason comes in, takes a huge variety of books off the shelf, leafs through each one, then returns them where he found them without ever checking one out. It’s probably because he never suspects the reason, based on Jason’s behavior, and because he is a little distracted by how good Jason looks. When Ben figures it out, he decides to help Jason learn to read and because Ben used to be a teacher, he has the tools to do it. The process he used - starting with picture books and graphic novels so Jason can focus on the story - was fascinating, and I was with both of them every step of the way.

Jason, even though his point of view is not included as Ben is the sole narrator, came to life for me based on his questions, reactions, and behavior once he has someone who believes in him and supports him. Yes, his grandmother already does that for him since she has taken him into her home, but that is different because she is family and her support is mainly emotional. Something Jason is in dire need of after his stepfather’s cruel abuse and his mother’s cruelty! Ben can help Jason gain self-confidence, give him the reading skills Jason so desperately wants, and become a true partner.

You might think that two men, as far apart as they are in age and experience, will never fit. This story shows that’s not necessarily true. On the other hand, both are lonely with Ben having lost his partner a few years ago and Jason having never had a boyfriend before. Then there is their love of stories and books that unites them as Jason learns to read. But in the end it boils down to the fact that they are attracted to each other, enjoy doing things like cooking meals together, and are simply good for each other. Despite everything they have to overcome and deal with, they are great as a team and as a couple – a pretty sound basis for a long-term relationship if you ask me.

If you like slow-burn romances that become sizzling hot once the partners get going, if an unusual May/December relationship with a few added issues is your thing, and if you’re looking for a gentle love story with a lot of heart, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do. It’s a very special tale filled with warmth and an “everyday feel” that had me entranced without the need for much action or huge plot twists.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (more)
 
Flagged
SerenaYates | 1 other review | Oct 14, 2017 |

You May Also Like

Associated Authors

Statistics

Works
7
Also by
1
Members
25
Popularity
#508,561
Rating
3.9
Reviews
6
ISBNs
5