Playing Chicken: A St Dwynwen's Day Short Story

by A.L. Lester

Marc returns home from London to his isolated Welsh cottage for good, having found his ex boyfriend shagging someone else in their bed. Who’s the thin, freezing cold man with the bruised face he finds in his barn? Will the tenuous connection between them grow, or fade away?

A 9,000 word short story in the Reworked Celtic Myths series, to mark the Welsh St Valentine's Day, St Dwynwen’s Day, the 25th of January. With chickens. A contemporary gay romance.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Holiday, Mythology, Queer, Short Stories

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2021

About the author

Writer of queer, paranormal, historical, romantic suspense. Lives in the South West of England with Mr AL, two children, a badly behaved dachshund, a terrifying cat and some hens. Likes gardening but doesn't really have time or energy. Not musical. Doesn't much like telly. Non-binary. Chronically disabled. Has tedious fits.
For updates, giveaways and general shenanigans: My newsletter and a free novella - my facebook group - twitter - instagram - tiktok.
I also write higher-heat contemporary MM romance as Frances Fox.

Reviews

[A.L. Lester]

A short story I wrote early this month as a distraction from World Events (tm). It's St Dwynwen's Day - the Welsh St Valentine - and Marc finds a strange man and a deerhound hiding in his barn. And an increasing number of chickens.

[Ru · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a superb short story, brimming with hopefulness and the potential of new beginnings. Both the protagonists, Marc and Mal, have left relationships and places that weren't working for them, and we see the first shoots of a new start for them here in rural Wales. The writing is excellent, deftly producing both the scenery and the characters in limited pages. Everything was so down-to-earth and natural, which I liked a lot. Oh and the chickens were definite scene stealers!
I would love to see more of these characters in the future, to see how their lives develop, a year of them dealing with the cottage, the community, each other, and the chickens of course. But as a short story, it found a natural and charming end, leaving everything in that hopeful moment of anew start. A perfect January read.

*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite sweet and cozy, and really enjoyed the explanation of who St. Dwynwen was.

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marc leaves the big city life of London and returns to his Aunt Pen’s cottage at the edge of the valley. Marc is a nurse and was living in a relationship that had failed. So he packed his bags and came home to a place of comfort that he knew as a child.

He discovers Mal and Anghared living in his barn. Marc’s nursing experience kicks in when he sees that Mal has been hurt.

Dai Williams a friend to Marc has kept his eye on the cottage and comes to check on him. Dai fills Marc in on Mal’s situation. Mal too, had found himself in a bad relationship and took to the forest and lived in the ruins of St. Dwynwen’s.

With the snow storm coming Marc knows Mal can’t go into the forest and stay in the tent. Marc opens his heart and home to Mal and Anghared with a warm and comfortable place to stay.

This is a cute, sweet, funny entertaining short story, as only AL Lester knows how to deliver. I liked both Marc and Mal and Dai was good as a friend, to both men. Wonderful secondary characters in: Anghared and lot’s of crazy chickens!

AL Lester also gives the background in “About St. Dwynwen”, she takes some liberties and builds “Planying Chicken” around this very interesting myth.

[Reading to Stay Awake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is A L Lester's retelling of St Dwynwen’s Day story and it is just lovely.

With few human characters but an ever increasing cast of chickens and huge deerhound dog called Anghared this book is beautifully written with descriptions that could paint a picture. The book covers a difficult period in time for the two main characters and you can feel the emotional warmth, caring nature and strength of them both flowing through the pages and as well as the need to be cared for. When the third character is introduced he's a positive voice in what could a negative situation.

A sizzle of chemistry is there between the two main characters and I'd love a full length book to see where they could take this new friendship.

I totally loved this beautifully written, amazingly refreshing book. It's short, taking maybe 30 minutes to finish, and really worth that time to read it. You should definitely add it to your Kindle today xx

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ancientreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars usually means "This was okay but I didn't enjoy it," but I did enjoy this. It's a sweet, light read in which kindness and generosity are rewarded; the general plot line is one A.L. Lester likes (Warning! Deep Water and the short story "As the Crow Flies" share it): a man who's comfortably housed etc., but lonely, offers shelter to a man who's also lonely and not at all comfortably housed; love ensues. It's a bit samey, but it's also soothing stuff for a rough world.

Also, it falls into the category of stories that I sense are meaningful to the writer, not just a means of cranking out KUs. Having said which, I'm glad I was able to take it out of the library rather than have to buy it. Generally I like a little more substance for my paid buck.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, enjoyable short story of new beginnings and...chickens. Marc has come back home from London after finding his lover in bed with someone else...OUCH! He finds a self=possessed chicken roosting in his porch, which seems to multiply in number as the day passes. Then, he finds a freezing young man in his barn/woodshed. Can things get any stranger? I enjoyed this sweet short story, the legend of St. Dwynwen, the friendship between Marc and Dai, and the possibilities for Marc and Mal. Every ending is a new beginning. I would love to read more about these endearing characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Playing Chicken by A.L. Lester. I had never heard of St. Dwynwen’s Day before, not being Welsh or British, so whether or not the story followed the legend was irrelevant for me. What I enjoyed was a sweet story about Marc returning home after a disastrous end to a relationship, only to find a man and dog hiding in his barn. Mal’s backstory was one of a similar bad relationship, so it was not surprising the two found comfort in each other. I enjoy books that give me a glimpse of the life of a culture I’m not familiar with, and this met that perfectly!

[Anabela.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the span of a few hours, Marc has found his house not only invaded by willed chickens but also a hiding place for a wounded man, Mal and his dog.

Marc was a grumpy sweetheart, talking with the chickens that decided to make his house their home.  Mal - I was in awe with his strength despite his awful circumstances and I just wanted to hug him. Well, Marc did that in my stead and even kissed Mal better lol.

This short story surprised me in the best possible way. It was laugh-out-loud funny and heart-melting romantic, absolutely perfect. Enjoy!

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Marc comes back to his family cabin for the first time in two years, he finds a unexpected menagerie, plus a strange, but attractive, man in his barn. This is a short, sweet story about second chances. With chickens. Also a world-weary dog and two men who find each other when they need each other most. It's heartwarming, with just the right balance of humor and pathos.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Justine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet short story about Marc and Mal. Marc has moved into his cottage after leaving his cheating ex only to find a man, and his dog, freezing to death in the barn. Mal had left his bad relationship and needed a place away from him and his family. Instead of sending Mal on his way, Marc invited him inside. This is such an enjoyable story I'm left wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is packed with great characters...including multiplying chickens...and the building of a relationship.
The description of the locality is so perfectly done you can see yourself sitting on a porch, or peering out a window, and enjoying the scenery.
When an injured man is discovered in a woodshed, it leads to new beginnings and reflections on past ones.
You'll find yourself falling in love along with the two main characters.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance with strong characters in Marc and Mal. The author does a great job pulling the story together in a short amount of time, Marc finds Mal in his barn , freezing and hurt and takes him into his cabin. Both men are coming off bad relationships but are all ready for a new beginning. It's well written ,moves quietly with smoothly and descriptive and detailed writing.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Audrey Pott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc returned home to find chickens and Mal with Anghared a large dog sleeping in his barn. Dai Marks best friend pops in. There is chemistry between Marc and Mal, I hope we get a book as I’d love to see what happens next.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book, for BookBub, for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I definitely recommend this short story.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I should say a short prayer to St Dwynwen, thanking her for still blessing lovers on her feast day in Wales. May she continue to do so. I am so glad to have read this delightful short story. The saint has smiled on Marc & Mal, healed their pain, and given them the beginnings of a beautiful relationship. I want her in my corner!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, perfect story

I loved this story. I cannot say anything bad about it. The plot, characters, setting and all the details combined to make this a very enjoyable read. A. L. Lester is always a one-click for me. I would love to see another story featuring these characters. This ends in a satisfying ending, but I feel like they have more to say.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really cute but really short tale of two men, both kicked out by their respective boyfriends. Marc drives back to his childhood home in Wales but finds an injured man hiding in his wood shed. As if that's not enough the chickens around his front door increase every time he looks out there. It's a really enjoyable, fun read, my second with this author, liking her style very much.

[Fiona Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utterly charming little romance set on a farm in Wales against a backdrop of St Dwynwen, the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. The characters are warm and believable, there's a nice hint of mystery, and the romance is comfortable rather than sizzling. If I'm nit-picking I'd have liked more about the old chapel, and the thoroughly entertaining chickens, but it's still a really lovely book.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet PG tale for St Dwynwen's Day (January 25), set in the hills of Wales, can be read in less than an hour.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meg Mardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fresh, sweet take on Welsh equivalent of St Valentines day featuring a burnt out nurse and handsome stranger in need of help. Also snow, some chickens that want to be adopted, and a wolfhound. Such a cosy little read.

[Teamama · Rating 4 out of 5]

100% cinnamonroll fluff. Glad I bought it.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely short, plenty of drama but off-page. I'm beginning to think I like her contemporary romances best - they are so charming and heartfelt.

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

very short story that is lovely, but had a rushed epilogue. would love to read a lpnovel by this author.

[Allisen Olmstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very heart warming and amusing story,despite the challenges the characters face.

[Milyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute little story!

[S.A. Locryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can it be read as a stand-alone: yes, it's a stand-alone novella with no ties to A.L. Lester's other works.

Story and character dynamic: It's a lovely short story depicting painful events of the characters' lives. The come together was heart-felt, and all depicted emotions so vivid. The characters almost stepped out from the pages as the events unfolded before my eyes. My absolute favourite character was Dai with his loud and raucous personality, he was absolutely perfect in the self-proclaimed big brother role for Marc. And the chickens were absolutely hilarious! Favourite quote from Marc: Those are not my effing chickens! (If you read the novel you'll understand.)

Why I recommend it: I liked the Welsh version of St Valentine day, and I jumped to the opportunity to learn something new. It's all my bad, but I never heard of St Dwynwen's day until I've read Marc and Mal’s story.

My problem with it: I'm well aware it's called a short story for a reason, but after the building affection and attraction between Marc and Mal and reading how Marc cared for Mal and did his best to nurse him back to health, the story ended so abruptly it felt too rushed for my liking. A few more pages giving us a better glimpse of their future together would've been nice.

My rating: 4 (4.5 to be honest)

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. This is a very enjoyable, fun, quick read. This is the story or Marc and Mal. Marc has just packed up his life and returned to his Welsh cottage after finding his ex-boyfriend in bed with a neighbor. The best part being his ex blamed him. He drove him to cheat. Then he promptly threw him out of the apartment they shared for over a year. That is a very big bump in the road to get over. But Marc is determined to start again where he belongs - back home. There is a funny recurring theme of chickens throughout this story. It will make you laugh out loud. The first morning at his cottage and before he has had any coffee, Marc finds Mal in his barn. Mal is injured and half frozen but he is not alone. His huge deer hound is next to him, guarding Mal. This is their story. I really loved the interaction between all the characters; Mal, Marc and his childhood friend. This is a well written and easy to read story. It is quick and will leave you with a smile on your face.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brittanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute, wholesome short story about finding what you need at the right time. I feel like an entire story was told here even with such few pages and that's a mark of a good writer. Each character felt developed and realistic and the writing transports you to the Welsh countryside so fluidly. I look forward to the rest of the series and future stories from the author.

[Mstay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short story with two MCs who meet while both at a low point in their lives. There is plenty of laughs to be had with the chickens that had me grinning throughout.

*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and sweet little story about two guys who definitely need a break and find themselves healing their broken hearts together. Lovely characters that burrow into your heart in a few short pages.