The Remaking of Corbin Wale

This is a Roan Parrish novel - she wants to show us the magical souls of her characters.

Alex, a baker, returns from NYC to his home town, takes over his mother's bakery/coffee shop ... in walks a man he went to school with - a weirdo called Corbin.

And so begins a beautiful novel. The publisher has called it an "M/M Holiday Romance". Holiday? Holiday romance? Who's on holiday? and this is not about a fling, a mini romance, as would meet the definition of "holiday romance". Sure the novel transverses the time of year that includes Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah, called "the holidays", but mmmm, that is circumstantial, not deliberate.

This is about two souls who meet in the ether inside the bakery, and much later in a tactile way, in show more the old house that Corbin has grown up in, and inherited from his two aunts, also weirdos.

'Weirdo' in the novel is a result of being cursed in life and love. In Corbin's life this being cursed seems to affect his life like a conspiracy theory. It's not true, but he lives inside a mindset that believes it's true.

With great care and patience Alex looks for a crack, a way to crawl inside Corbin's world to try to let in some air, some lightness, some hope, joy and love. Of course we know he will succeed, because Alex is grounded - he's a baker! He's real, he's steady, he's a lover.

Corbin is an elf in a secret garden that is always in danger of being invaded by darkness and evil. Alex is a light sabre - he's going to protect Corbin and free him from that world.

... and the two princes lived happily ever after.

Alex and Corbin have the goodness of heroes in fairytales, and their HEA is right because it puts the world at rights.

Triumphing over adversity, as is the job of heroes in fairytales, is serious business, not to be taken lightly.

This book couldn't be further from the "lightly" of holiday romance.

How right was Chris Chambers' narration! I've heard him quite a lot, and his manner of speaking is quite unusual, but it is brimful of empathy. He has a soft mesmerising delivery.

Later: I've now read comments below and thank you all, such great comments, even Connorz who said she was confused, and could do without the supporting character, Gareth - that made me think. I didn't agree but I'm sympathetic. I think a novel about Gareth and Orin's story could be good! show less

I adored this story so much. I don't think I've ever read an MC like Corbin Wale. He's a person people write off as crazy or not all there, but I love how his perspective shows him to be a deeply caring, sensitive man who's developed ways to cope with all the challenges and trauma life has thrown him. I love that Alex takes his time to make Corbin comfortable and puts in the work to create a friendship before diving into a relationship. Alex doesn't invalidate Corbin's experiences or feelings and makes him feel welcome and wanted. A+ pairing and an all around lovely reading experience.

This was quite a nice surprise. I randomly found this book browsing Amazon as it popped up in a "since you liked this other book" recommendation and it was on sale so I figured why not. This reminded me a lot of the manic pixi dream girl YA books I read as a teenager only with my favourite fan fiction tropes thrown in. Down on his luck business owner that can bake? Yes please. (Probably) Autistic artist virgin with a dreamy look in his eyes? Sign me up. Everything coated in magical realism? Just take my wallet. Parrish also has her characters actually talk to each other about ~feelings~ GASP while making them still seem pretty realistic for two adult men characters. Bonus that they're both pretty thirsty for each other. It basically has show more all the elements to make this a book I couldn't put down and one that I'll be thinking about for a while - especially about some of the bakes described. I really want that oatmeal toast with cinnamon sugar.
The only thing that bummed me out was this looks like a one-off instead of a series, as it was written in 2017 and nothing else has been mentioned from the author. I'd have loved to see Gareth and Orin's story. show less

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I thought I would like this book more than I did. Roan Parrish has a beautiful writing style, and I'm a sucker for the "lonely misfit finds love" trope. Parrish creates a memorable character in Corbin Wale, and my heart broke for him several times as he displayed his resigned expectations that everyone he met would either ignore or tease him. However, I couldn't help feeling that there was a power imbalance between him and Alex, and it bothered me in a way I couldn't ignore. Supposedly Alex is in a vulnerable spot too - he has lost his lover and his job in New York City - but as soon as he moves to Ann Arbor everything goes smoothly for him. His new bakery cafe is an instant success, he has a great show more relationship with his mom and her boyfriend, he rescues his best friend from a bad relationship, and he is perfectly, unerringly patient and understanding about Corbin's eccentricities. I wanted to see a little more growth or change in Alex or maybe a flaw or two; he's like the Prince Charming who rescues the princess in the forest.

There are two secondary characters in the novel who seem poised to get their own story, so hopefully we'll get a chance to see Alex and Corbin again, even if it's in a supporting role. I'd love to see a sequel in which Corbin has come into his own enough to stop being constantly grateful to Alex and get grouchy or bitchy about something.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

4.5

Reading this book was torture, not because of the story itself but because of work and real life. These two conspired to keep me away from finishing Corbin's book faster and it almost drove me nuts. For 48 hrs I've been stuck in the last 20% where the magic was at its strongest and the book became so hard to put down.

What to say about Corbin? I adore him completely. From the moment he appears on the page you can't help but fall in love with him. He may give you the impression he is the wounded fawn you bring home to nurture, but nah. He is much more than you can imagine and he has this knack at taking you by surprise and making you fall off your chair.
Alex was the perfect balance for Corbin. I'm happy we got to experience both show more POVs.

I'm not a fan of holiday stories but this is the feel good story I was looking for. :) show less

Roan Parrish has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. her Riven series and Better Than People and Best Laid Plans] standalones are three of my all-time, and many times read, favorites. There was so much to like about this book. It was close to resembling a fairytale. Corbin was almost magical in his innocent. Alex was beyond gentle and understanding with him. It’s not by any means a breezy, quick read... it’s not dark...it’s just complex. It’s a slow burn, but it makes sense how Alex and Corbin come together. Even Alex’s best friend, Garth, fit perfectly into the story. I hated the name of Alex’s bake shop...and I thought that Corbin and Alex should have been portrayed as more the adults that they were, and, show more Corbin , especially, less childlike. Still a good story with really sweet and loveable characters A word of warning: You can gain 25 pounds just reading about the things that Alex and Corbin bake for Alex's coffee shop:) show less

what a treat! this book was beautiful and strange, lyrical and so close to my heart ♥ I loved Corbin and Alex, the fact that they saw, truly saw each other.
also it gave me big Starless Sea vibes, especially in the beginning and with all Corbin's POV, but more open about sex. If you're new to reading mlm romances this one might not be for you, but if you seek something new, fresh, different and absolutely magical then you should check it out.
Audiobook was amazing, loved it.