What do you think?
Ryan
For the past twenty years, Dane has taken care of his wealthy Aunt Beatrice. One rainy day, when they are out driving, Aunt Beatrice is killed in an accident. Naturally, Dane is devastated. When he returns to the large, luxurious home they once shared, he falls into a mild depression.
Lonely, he places an advertisement on Craigslist, in part to find someone to keep the house clean and take care of maintenance, and in part to keep him company, as he had kept his aunt company. The next morning, he finds Ryan at his door. He gives Ryan the job, but soon finds himself falling in love with the handsome man. But there is more to both men than meets the eye.
Can they cope with what they learn about each other? And no one should have to make the decision they are forced to face. Not without all the answers.
Lonely, he places an advertisement on Craigslist, in part to find someone to keep the house clean and take care of maintenance, and in part to keep him company, as he had kept his aunt company. The next morning, he finds Ryan at his door. He gives Ryan the job, but soon finds himself falling in love with the handsome man. But there is more to both men than meets the eye.
Can they cope with what they learn about each other? And no one should have to make the decision they are forced to face. Not without all the answers.
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 12, 2017
3.75 stars. The blurb is quite misleading. A lot. I can't really go into details without spoiling the surprise. But this certainly wasn't the story I expected, about a man getting over his grief and starting to live again with a hunky handyman. That doesn't mean, however, that this was bad.
The first chapter sets the stage with a rueful tone, a middle-aged man coping with loss in an empty mansion and sinking into apathy. It takes the place going to ruin for Dane to get a live-in housekeeper, Ryan. After that, things perk up. Literally.
The two men couldn't be more different. Dane's quiet and reserved, as he's still in mourning. Ryan's a breath of fresh air, laidback and upbeat. The characterization was done with easy, fluid dialogue that sounded realistic. The physicality of both men is shown well, the attraction and magnetic pull they feel for each other.
The plot moves with a swift pace, there's no chance to get bored. We only get Dane's POV, and have to interpret Ryan's character through Dane's view of him. The talks and behavior patterns help a lot. I got a distinct feel for both men and didn't feel deprived of any detail.
There's a lot of introspection and talking about serious issues but also sporadic humor and levity, not to mention sensuality. The language is efficient and to the point, and the writing style easy to follow without being flowery or over-descriptive. Mansfield can write. The relationship could have been fleshed out a bit more with longer scenes and showing the men actually getting to know each other. We learn more about Dane than Ryan who is the titular character.
Had the blurb been more true to the story, I would have given this a solid four or maybe more. The story's quite lovely, to be honest, sweet and caring and hopeful. I recommend this to people who aren't immediately turned off by unexpected plot twists or story surprises. In the end, this was a nice little romance with a touch of deeper questions.
The first chapter sets the stage with a rueful tone, a middle-aged man coping with loss in an empty mansion and sinking into apathy. It takes the place going to ruin for Dane to get a live-in housekeeper, Ryan. After that, things perk up. Literally.
The two men couldn't be more different. Dane's quiet and reserved, as he's still in mourning. Ryan's a breath of fresh air, laidback and upbeat. The characterization was done with easy, fluid dialogue that sounded realistic. The physicality of both men is shown well, the attraction and magnetic pull they feel for each other.
The plot moves with a swift pace, there's no chance to get bored. We only get Dane's POV, and have to interpret Ryan's character through Dane's view of him. The talks and behavior patterns help a lot. I got a distinct feel for both men and didn't feel deprived of any detail.
There's a lot of introspection and talking about serious issues but also sporadic humor and levity, not to mention sensuality. The language is efficient and to the point, and the writing style easy to follow without being flowery or over-descriptive. Mansfield can write. The relationship could have been fleshed out a bit more with longer scenes and showing the men actually getting to know each other. We learn more about Dane than Ryan who is the titular character.
Had the blurb been more true to the story, I would have given this a solid four or maybe more. The story's quite lovely, to be honest, sweet and caring and hopeful. I recommend this to people who aren't immediately turned off by unexpected plot twists or story surprises. In the end, this was a nice little romance with a touch of deeper questions.
May 20, 2017
I totally agree with another reviewer that the blurb is somewhat misleading. After reading the first few pages I understand why the blurb was written that way. I'm very particular in the type of romances I read and this one just wasn't my cup of tea. It wasn't what I expected although I did have an inkling of what was to come. To say more would spoil it for those who might be interested in this quirky story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews