This story feels like a perfect example of what can happen if you give it a chance.
Exhausted ER Nurse Axel could have easily not engaged with Eric.
Airline Pilot Eric could have not gone into the passenger lounge and not started talking with Axel.
Eric works to amuse Axel, maybe distract him from his weariness. Axel managed to be amused, even when feeling exhausted. They fall into a banter that feels natural, like they've known each other for years. What I really like about this story is it doesn't feel like they are pressured. They are enjoying each other's company, feeling the attraction, but letting the slow pull come naturally. It's like there is this little bubble surrounding them for the night. While flights are grounded, and Axel is momentarily stranded, they don’t rush it. When they finally kiss, it feels like the right time, everything else fading into the background, it's just them reaching for each other.
Another part of this story I really enjoy is they are both coming from a place of not having room or making room in their lives for a relationship. Eric is constantly flying from place to place, feeling too untethered and disconnected from the ground to believe he can make a relationship work. Axel has gone through the reality of a breakup because of the demands of his job. Both men feel drawn to each other, yet unsure of how to make their very different lives work together.
I also highly recommend signing up to get Ryan's newsletter and access to his bonus stories. I used to save the bonus stories as a gift to myself for completing my review. Now I find I can't resist reading them right away.
Eric's (bonus) story is really interesting. When I'm reading of his first encounter in his story, I'm left feeling a bit empty. As I read further I realize that is how I'm supposed to feel. Ryan has done a great job of having me feel what Eric starts allowing himself to feel.
It's interesting how in four chapters about what Eric is thinking, the nudges from his friends, how he’s stepping back and really looking, how much that starts to change things. I can see how convincing himself that keeping things casual is the safe and simple choice, but when he lets himself look at it, he feels the loneliness of that lifestyle.
The bonus story really helps the main story and feels like a gift to readers. I loved the main story with Axel and Eric getting to know each other. Learning where Eric is and how he's opening up to more than casual, it is great seeing him put that into action when he meets Axel. Yet again I’m left wanting more.
Ryan is great at writing stories I connect with in some way. When reading, some characters click with me because of a memory they bring forth, and others I do my best to imagine their life, what they have/are going through, etc. Ryan is great at writing stories that help me make those connections and care about the characters, that is huge.