The Pool Boy: A Short Story

by Malena Lott

Something unexpected happens to four women in the Lonely Hearts Book Club in the suburban neighborhood of Pleasant Acres in Grapevine, Texas. At the book club to discuss Fifty Shades of Grey, CEO Marnie convinces the women to hire “The Pool Boy,” a heartthrob medical student who works as a pool boy during the summer. He’s come into their lives at just the right time: CEO Marnie, rich widow Scarlet, divorced stay-at-home mom Lacy and bored preacher’s wife Peggy get the hottest summer of their lives with the help of pristine pools and enlightenment as they learn to stand up for themselves and search for something more. What looked to be a hot, lonely summer could turn into the best summer yet.
In this "Hung" meets "Desperate Housewives" short story, Malena Lott gives us her usual humor and heart in a character-driven tale that will resonate with women who have ever gone through heartbreak and wondered how to find joy again. A sweet, sexy tale of friendship and second chances.

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Malena Lott is an award-winning writer and the author of four women's fiction novels: Dating da Vinci, Fixer Upper, The Stork Reality (re-released in 2012 with an updated storyline) and her fall 2012 release Something New. Her popular beach novellas Life's a Beach and The Last Resort are available as ebook only. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, three kids, and two shih-tzus. She owns a branding firm, Athena Institute and also writes YA and fantasy/paranormal under the pen name Lena Brown. Her stories were featured in the anthologies, Prom Dates to Die For and Something Wicked.
Connect with her on Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram @malenalott and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/malenalottbooks. Visit her website at www.malenalott.com.

Reviews

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tells the story of four women who are all older than the girls I normally read about these days. Early forties, I think? They all have their own issues. One is dealing with suddenly becoming a single mother. Another is the local pastor's wife. One is still grieving the loss of her much older husband a year prior. The last one is very successful in business but not so much in her personal life. They are in a book club that meets periodically. The book club is like most... only a couple actually read the books. It's more about four totally different women coming together in friendship. During one of the book club meetings, one of the women mentions the pool boy she has just hired who does much more than clean pools.

This was totally not what I was expecting and I'm glad for that. This was a nice (very short) story that is not as much about the pool boy but what each learns from their own individual experience as a result of him... whether it be from hiring him or just the conversation (s) about him. Lessons are learned and the women all finally move forward.

I would have liked to have seen where each woman went after The End but I am satisfied having not done so. A very enjoyable read.

[N. Kuhn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be ok. It wasn't completely spectacular, it wasn't anything horrible. The author knew what they wanted the story to be, but I'm not sure they got it out right. It tends to be slightly long winded in the beginning (even though it's a short book), pages of what people wore, how they dressed. When you get through it, you do find a lot of steamy encounters. There's some hot scenes. It definitely got better as it went on. Maybe if the author took out some filler in the beginning and put in some meat to the steamy parts, I could rank it a 5 star

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story that made me chuckle. I wish that there was more depth to each of the ladies of the book club. There is potential to expand on this and really make it great. The book got me thinking about starting a book club and having my pool cleaned.

[Cyndi Tefft · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected something steamier, given the title and cover. It was more sweet than steamy. So-so.

[Cataluna6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't mind this, short & sweet. I wouldn't mind reading this as a full novel.