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NOT EVERY HERO WEARS A UNIFORM
Can love last a lifetime? Billy Walsh and Daniel Richards never intended to be matchmakers. After all, they’re only at the start of their own love story. When Billy uncovers a failed love affair, he learns it lasted more than fifty years until it fell apart. He and Daniel see their own fledgling relationship through the lens of the now estranged couple, and they vow to reunite the elderly lovers. But as they set about their task, the pressure of modern life threatens to tear them apart.
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Read an Excerpt
“Hey. You okay?”
The voice was familiar. Billy pulled back from the window, opened his eyes, and turned to see the black wavy hair and brown eyes of the man he had collided with in the hospital entrance under an hour ago. Clumsily, he tried to wipe his eyes with the back of his hand and merely succeeded in smearing his hand with a gob of snot from his nose. His humiliation was complete.
Then the man’s oh-so-kissable lips moved, and he said, “Come on. You need a coffee.”
The cafeteria was on the ground floor of the hospital, close to the entrance. It was noisy and packed with people, and there was a long line at the counter.
Billy’s Good Samaritan introduced himself as Daniel. He invited Billy to find a table, while he queued up to buy them hot drinks.
As Billy waited, he reviewed the rollercoaster day. True, most of it had been downhill. Steeply. But this last turn lifted his spirits. He looked across the crowded cafeteria at Daniel standing in line. His back was to Billy as Daniel ordered coffees from the bored-looking assistant on the other side of the counter. He stood tall and confident. His dark blue linen suit gave him the look of a Hollywood actor in sharp contrast to the shabbily dressed people on either side of him. His haircut was obviously expensive, and he was well groomed.
Billy looked down at the sleeve of his shirt. The remains of his egg sandwich from earlier was smeared across it. He licked his fingers and rubbed the stain, in the hope of making the stain disappear.
“Here you are. I got some chocolate chip cookies as well. I love them, and I thought you might need the sugar.”
Daniel placed a large plastic tray on the table. He handed Billy a chipped mug of cappuccino, placed a large plate of cookies on the table, and sat opposite. Billy slid his arm into his lap, to hide the egg stained sleeve. “You okay now?”
Billy nodded. “Yeah. It’s been a really shit day, and I guess it all finally got to me. Work went tits up this morning. Then I met my mother’s oncologist this afternoon, and—” He stopped. Not wanting to repeat what he had learned.
3.5 Stars
Billy was a fairly well-known actor once upon a time, now at 29, he’s retired from acting because his mother is in the hospital and needs 24/7 care, and is working as a social worker. As part of his job, he visits a certain number of elderly clients to check on them for half an hour or so every week and that’s how he meets Chuck, an American veteran with a very intriguing secondary storyline. Billy meets Daniel at the hospital during one of his daily visits to his mom and they hit it off, but during their first outing, Daniel rushes out after he receives a phone call. They meet again after a few days and after a second date, decide to get to know each other better. While they seem good for one another, there are some things from their respective pasts that might make it difficult for them to deepen their friendship and turn it into more.
I liked Billy, he seemed like a sweet, selfless, caring guy, always putting others’ happiness above his. He was a good son and tried his best at his job, even if he had an awful boss and it wasn’t exactly what he wanted to be doing. Daniel was another matter altogether, I didn’t dislike him, but I just found it very difficult to warm up to him, even after he finally came clean with the whole Anthony business. *shrugs* Still, he gave Billy the support he needed and together they managed to help Chuck find someone from his past.
This was my first book by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, and while it was an enjoyable read overall, I had a bit of trouble getting into the story or connecting with the characters (especially Daniel) at first, the writing was good, but the dialogue felt a bit too formal at times for their respective ages and I know they’re British, but without going into much detail, it was too proper for my taste and made it harder to relate to the MCs. Still, the story was entertaining and I have no trouble recommending it.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***
About the Author: David C Dawson writes contemporary thrillers featuring gay men in love. He’s an award winning author, journalist and documentary maker. His debut novel won Bronze for Best Mystery and Suspense in the FAPA awards, and he has published two books since.
David lives in London with his boyfriend and two cats. In his spare time, he tours Europe and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
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