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Rainbow Courage

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Carter’s life is in upheaval. His ex-wife has passed away in a car accident, leaving him to care for his three year old son, Toby. This means a new home and a new job. Being attracted to Toby’s daycare owner, Peter, is not part of the plan. He’s listened to his father rant about queers for years, so Carter always figured coming out would cause more problems than it solved. But after sharing one passionate kiss with Peter, he can’t stop thinking about the man. Can Carter find the courage to face the drama caused by coming out, stand up to his family, and go after his man?

71 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2012

3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read

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Charlie Richards

362 books849 followers

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5 stars
37 (19%)
4 stars
59 (31%)
3 stars
71 (38%)
2 stars
14 (7%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Nikyta.
1,459 reviews263 followers
September 8, 2012
This was a cute story. It's an easy, quick read.

Carter's a truck driver that's just been given full responsibility of his three year old son, Toby. At Toby's daycare, Carter meets the owner, Peter. They hit it off immediately except Carter won't take things far because he's in the closet.

I liked these characters a lot even though they aren't well developed. Peter seems kind and sincere but he can be a ball-buster when he needs to be. I liked that Carter wouldn't put Peter through a secret affair in the beginning. Although, he kind of threw that out the window when he can't stay away and seeks Peter out. Toby was adorable but then again I love kids in m/m stories.

The story doesn't have very much drama. A homophobic father that creates some conflict and the reason for Carter being in the closet. Then there's Toby who didn't seem his age. The boy was three yet he was talking like he was eight or so with complete sentences and perfect pronunciation BUT he was cute. So, yeah.

With that, I liked the story. It's not an extravagant read but it's nice. Something you'd want to read if you're looking for a quick smile and a small case of the warm and fuzzies.
Profile Image for Deeze.
1,787 reviews286 followers
October 23, 2013
While this is a simple sweet short read, I'm afraid it left me feeling unsatisfied.

I really liked the idea of Carter and Peter, they had some nice chemistry at times. Toby was adorable.

But like with so many shorts details are skipped over, the sex was rather predictable, and the whole ending left me rather flat.

Not really a spoiler, just my niggles and moans lol.


Overall an OK read but I don't think Charlie Richards is an author that works for me.
Profile Image for Gabbi.
395 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2012
I have to say I’m totally in love with this cover! Sigh! I’ve read a few books by Charlie Richards and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. I like the way the author really seems to understand her characters and I love the sizzling chemistry between them. Her writing is smooth and easy and once I started reading Rainbow Courage I couldn’t stop. It immediately gripped my attention and held it until I finished reading the entire book.

Three months ago Carter’s ex-wife was killed in an accident leaving his young son in his care. Carter admits to being less than a part time father to his boy, and even though he now his son full time, he’s prepared to do step up to the plate and try and be a good father. Carter is a little overwhelmed by this new responsibility, but is determined to help heal his son’s grief and make sure that his son knows he can depend on him.

When he goes to pick up his son at the daycare for the first time, he meets the owner, Peter and is immediately attracted to him. Peter’s compassion and willingness to help Carter means the world to him, and when it’s obvious that there is a heavy attraction between them, Carter finds himself in a sticky situation. Will he be able to have both his son and Carter in his life?
Although I loved both heroes in this book, I admit Peter was my favorite. I loved his zest for life and his compassion and the love he’s willing to give to Carter and his son was truly a beautiful thing to read. Carter too, is an interesting hero. I liked how he admits the mistakes he’s made in the past and is more than willing to do what’s right for both his son and for Peter. It’s not always easy for Carter and he has some difficult choices to make as well as some serious soul searching, but I really appreciated how he stepped up to the plate and ended up doing the right thing for all of them.

Rainbow Courage is a fast paced, sexy and heartfelt read that left me with a smile on my face. There’s nothing better than a hero that is willing to grow and do some serious soul searching to both better himself and be a wonderful father and partner for the ones he loves. Recommended!
Profile Image for Phaney.
1,248 reviews22 followers
March 25, 2013
Confusion! What was the point of Peter’s employee being a story element? It had no bearing on anything whatsoever, did not even provide backdrop for something plot-related. Huh.

I also found myself a little confused about Carter’s finances. He’s building a house with a home gym, but he has to live with his parents and drive his semi until he can sell it to buy a new car. When finished, the house actually sounds pretty damn nice, too. I didn’t think truckers, especially those who have to pay alimony and child support, made that much, but what do I know.

This book? It bored me. Sorry. I simply did not connect to either guy, and their actions and reactions did not always make sense to me. The little boy got over the changes in his life much too easily, the writing wasn’t particularly good, plot and characterization were thin and stereotypical. It all felt quite blah. Pity.

On a completely different note, ooh, it happened again! “Bazaar” for “bizarre”. Maybe I was wrong before and this is not actually a creative misspelling but a more ingrained one. Must keep an eye on this since it amuses me. XD
Profile Image for Alina.
708 reviews29 followers
September 5, 2012
Lovely and sweet book!

No angst, very likeable characters, and Toby's just adorable. Simple and nice story and I loved the surprise acceptance from Carter's mother at the end :)
Profile Image for Gerald Sessions.
1,434 reviews6 followers
June 17, 2018
Love at last

Carter was divorced and had a son, his x died and now he had to change jobs, build a home and raise his son. He met Peter and fell in love. Life is great.
Profile Image for Ro.
3,124 reviews16 followers
November 13, 2012
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews

While this is not a long, deep read, it is enjoyable and engaging with some angst in the form of daddy dearest. Carter is divorced, a fairly absentee father to his three year old son, Toby. This changes when his ex-wife dies in a car accident. Carter is now changing jobs, moving to a new place to accommodate his son and taking on full responsibility for Toby. It’s a tough position to be in. When he goes to pick up Toby from the day care for the first time, the owner, Peter, asks to speak to him about Toby. There is an instant connection there, one that Carter is not about to act on. His father is so homophobic, Toby is so clingy due to losing his mom and his home, Carter feels he is no prize right now.

Peter, for his part, is a sweetheart. He cares about the children under his watch and wants someone to share his life with. When he finds Carter, he thinks just maybe this might be the one. Even though Carter is way in the closet, he believes Carter that he will come out, after he figures out a way to tell his extremely homophobic father and fairly homophobic mother. Difficult, difficult. Peter isn’t going to be anyone’s secret, but he is willing to give Peter time. Until the infamous dinner for mom’s birthday, however.

I did wonder why Carter was so willing to put his parents before Peter, because they couldn’t even be bothered to put their grandson before their own selfishness (the circus). You’d hope that no parent would be this way yet you also know so many that are. Sad.

There isn’t a ton of angst here, despite the sad topic of bigotry and loss of Toby’s mom. It’s mostly sweet, with a glimmer of hope.
Profile Image for Thomaidha Papa.
706 reviews39 followers
December 29, 2012
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It took a car accident to dramatically change Carter’s life. His ex-wife was in that car and she didn’t make it, and she left behind her son to be taken care of by his father. Now Carter has to turn around his entire life and make a new one to fit his role as the care-parent. While he was out to his ex-wife, Carter never dared telling his parent’s about his sexuality, and his father being such an intolerant man toward gays, the situation is bound to remain that way. What Carter never put in the equation was Peter, his son’s day-care teacher. Their attraction is immediate and neither man can fight it. However Peter has no intention to get back in the closet, no matter how much he cares for Carter.
This story, although it didn’t seem that way in the beginning, has no drama, no suspense and no major heart-breaks. It’s a sweet one, taking in a love at first sight and recording the steps that take it to a solid relationship and a new form of family. Yes, things did develop a little bit too easy, all smooth and predictable. There was one scene that raised up the heartbeat when Carter nearly lost Peter toward the end of the story, but by then it was already established that there wasn’t much to expect on the suspense department and the HEA followed suit with no more twists.
Easily likable characters, both Carter and Peter make a sweet pair. With Tobby’s role as the child that binds them this story goes directly to the “awww” shelf and will probably give you a very enjoyable read; it certainly did it for me.
Profile Image for jules0623.
2,531 reviews8 followers
September 11, 2012
Cute read. A little too much sex and not enough character/plot development for such a short read so it felt a little rushed but there was definitely chemistry between the MCs and the kid was adorable.

I can't stop wondering why on earth Peter would throw out soft toys after a child's illness instead of just washing them in hot water and disinfectant. In child care, you'd be tossing them out every week and it would be ridiculously expensive to constantly replace them. A tiny point, but as an ex-Director of a child care centre, it niggled at me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kaylee Shyanne.
61 reviews17 followers
September 3, 2012
An adorable little story. Short, sweet, and with minimal almost non-existent drama. I kinda would've liked to see something happen with Greg, like Carter staking his claim on Peter so Greg would back off, but that's just me and my preference for protective/dominant guys ;3

Profile Image for Cayla.
619 reviews34 followers
August 6, 2014
Loved this short story. Its very important to have the courage to be your self and dont like others options effect the way you live. Your meant to stand out.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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