After Marcus

by Nell Iris

Ossian’s heart shattered when his husband Marcus died unexpectantly. He shut down, put his life on hold, and would’ve wasted away had it not been for his neighbor Joar.

Joar was there when Ossian needed him, offered a friendly shoulder to cry on, convinced him to eat, and helped coax him back to the living.

Three years after the life altering event, Ossian starts seeing Joar in a different light, awakening feelings he thought was dead forever. But is Ossian ready to take the leap and open his heart to someone new? And does Joar feel the same?

Genres: Contemporary, M M Romance, LGBT

42 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2022

About the author

Nell Iris writes gay romance, prefers sweet over angsty, short over long, and quirky characters over alpha males. She published her first book in 2017.

Nell is an author with a day job that steals too much time from her writing, her reading, her gardening, and her crocheting. She’s an introverted tea drinker who loves her family, her books, and her home in the Swedish countryside.

Reviews

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nell Iris's writing style. Ossian's pain and loneliness were tangible. Losing the person he was supposed to grow old with left him floundering but Joar is there as an anchor. Giving Ossian someone to lean on. I loved that Joar noticed all the little things and quietly went about doing and giving whatever he could for Ossian. This book lingered with me for a few days. It will definitely be one I will be rereading in the future.
Highly recommended author

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is both sad and uplifting as we see Ossian struggling to move on after his husband's death. His neighbor, Joar, keeps an eye on him, and the time comes when Ossian realizes he's doing better, thanks mainly to Joar. It's a very touching but sweet story, over way too soon.

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

Short and sweet, though I would have loved an expanded story of these two.

[Zane Kage · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Amy Tasukada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how Nell can pack such an emotional punch in such a short amount of words.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and emotionally raw. Ossian lost his husband Marcus some time ago and been struggling with grief. Their friend, Joar, does all he can to make sure Ossian is taken care of - cuts and stacks wood for the long, cold winters, makes sure he eats, etc. Ossian, whose grief is diminishing, sees Joar in a different light. Such a soft sweet read written with the author's usual deft touch. Great multi-dimensional characters. Though we don't see much of her, I loved Ossian's mom. "Don't invite strangers to your neighbor's home." LOL!