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Love's Return
Dean Whitten is determined to make the best of yet another Valentine's Day spent alone. But his past comes back in a big way when the stunning specimen of manhood he admires while in line at the movies turns out to be Eric Sparks. Fifteen years ago, Eric left the country with his military family, and their budding relationship met its end. Just out of the Marine Corps, Eric finds that his dormant feelings for Dean erupt when he once again holds the love he lost in his arms. But Dean is settled in his life, and Eric is starting over. Can love be given a second chance? Will life give them the opportunity denied all those years ago, or will it once again separate the two men?
84 pages, ebook
First published July 7, 2010
1 person is currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Trina Lane
35 books74 followersTrina is a scientist with a passion for history, music, and photography. She loves to travel and experience new places but is terminally shy around people she doesn't know. When the zombie apocalypse occurs, you'll want to find her because she's a crack shot, and promises to take out those nasty decomposing flesh-eating vermin before they have a chance to make you their snack. Her favorite aunt gave Trina a sultry romance novel to read while they were on vacation together back when Trina was in middle school and made her promise not to tell her mother. She's been hooked ever since! Her choices in reading and writing material are as diverse as her Apple Music library, which contains music from Mozart to Metallica. Her one concession is all stories must have a happily ever after ending-did we mention she's incurably romantic? She's the mother of a very strong-willed and sweet little boy who frequently makes her smile and grimace within seconds of each other. She firmly believes that the sweetness comes from her, and the other part is her husband's fault. She loves to hear from readers, and her greatest wish is that we all strive to achieve bigger dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 15, 2011
This was a lovely novella about two guys who happen to meet 15 years after they were separated from each other when one went off to college and the other moved with his military family to Germany. Dean has gone off to Baylor and then to medical school and become a pediatrician while Eric has gone on to a career as a Marine. The happen to run into each other on Valentine's Day at the movie theater in NC. They have not seen each other since the summer they each confided that they were gay and had a summer of love and discovery in TX where they both lived.
Of course they are still very attracted to each other and they end up spending most of their time together - when Dean is not at the hospital. Eric needs to find a job and he really does not want to live near the military base as he has had to hide his true self for 15 years and he does not want to have to do that any longer. He is offered a job far away and Dean finds out by overhearing a conversation. They love each other but need to find a way to make a relationship work given the logistics of their situation.
I liked the writer's style and will probably read more of her stories.
Of course they are still very attracted to each other and they end up spending most of their time together - when Dean is not at the hospital. Eric needs to find a job and he really does not want to live near the military base as he has had to hide his true self for 15 years and he does not want to have to do that any longer. He is offered a job far away and Dean finds out by overhearing a conversation. They love each other but need to find a way to make a relationship work given the logistics of their situation.
I liked the writer's style and will probably read more of her stories.
December 1, 2013
2.5 STARS
Why so low? Well, there was no angst, no conflict no inner turmoil or even much of a story as to what brought these two back together after 15 years with an immediate love rekindled. The sex was lukewarm as well. It the sex had been scotching, you can get away with no story but since it lacked those things, there just wasn't a story.
Why so low? Well, there was no angst, no conflict no inner turmoil or even much of a story as to what brought these two back together after 15 years with an immediate love rekindled. The sex was lukewarm as well. It the sex had been scotching, you can get away with no story but since it lacked those things, there just wasn't a story.
July 31, 2010
While I liked both guys, the entire conflict was blithely skipped over, making me regret investing in them. It's like this: Meet again. Sex. Fun. Sex. Potential conflict ahead! Bang! Fast forward X months. Overly cute HEA. The end.
No thanks.
No thanks.
May 4, 2016
It has been over 15 years since Dean Whitten has last seen Eric Sparks, but when he comes across him at the movie theater, on Valentine’s Day, Dean is not surprised that the spark between them is just as hot as it was that memorable summer before Eric moved away. Eric, just freshly out of the Marine Corps, is as thrilled as Dean was to find his first love, but his life is pulling him across the country and he doesn’t know if their relationship can withstand the pressures of long-distance. Both men can’t deny that they love each other, even after such short a time, but when keeping together means one of them has to give up their home, it is unclear if finding love again means that they can keep it.
For a short story this did a pretty good job of setting up two character that I had no problem believing. Not only in what they said, but what they did. And I really liked the decisions that they ended up making. It got the desired result, but it also didn’t feel like anyone was foolishing giving up their lives on a whim and a hope that what they felt was the real deal. This was a bit insta-love, but they had the history to back it up, so I didn’t mind all that much. The hot sex scenes didn’t hurt either, I must admit.
I do wish I got a little more on why Eric was so adamant to move across country. The way that Eric didn’t even want to live in the same city as an Army base even after he had left the force, seemed a bit odd. Though this might just be my lack of understanding on how safe/unsafe it is to be out in the military now (even after the repeal of DADT). Or even how safe he felt despite the actual reactions of his friends and former comrades. Maybe a bit more time spent explaining this would have helped me, in the end, I guess.
Overall not a half-bad story and maybe something to look into now that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. It’s well written, with the right amount of steam, and short. A good combination when you want a break from some of the heavier stuff out there.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
For a short story this did a pretty good job of setting up two character that I had no problem believing. Not only in what they said, but what they did. And I really liked the decisions that they ended up making. It got the desired result, but it also didn’t feel like anyone was foolishing giving up their lives on a whim and a hope that what they felt was the real deal. This was a bit insta-love, but they had the history to back it up, so I didn’t mind all that much. The hot sex scenes didn’t hurt either, I must admit.
I do wish I got a little more on why Eric was so adamant to move across country. The way that Eric didn’t even want to live in the same city as an Army base even after he had left the force, seemed a bit odd. Though this might just be my lack of understanding on how safe/unsafe it is to be out in the military now (even after the repeal of DADT). Or even how safe he felt despite the actual reactions of his friends and former comrades. Maybe a bit more time spent explaining this would have helped me, in the end, I guess.
Overall not a half-bad story and maybe something to look into now that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. It’s well written, with the right amount of steam, and short. A good combination when you want a break from some of the heavier stuff out there.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
February 10, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
This story was sweet and wonderful and just what I wanted. I love a good lover’s reunited story, and Lane provides exactly that. These two guys had something special in the summer after high school, and fate gives them the opportunity to reconnect and start something real.
What I really liked about this story was that we got to see how both men have grown up and become comfortable in their skin. It’s been fifteen years since they’ve seen each other, and they are both ready for a long lasting committed relationship. Because of that, it’s the perfect time for them to reunite and, even though things move fast, it works here for these men and their situation. I liked that though they jumped into a relationship, they didn’t immediately change their entire lives for each other. They needed time to really get to know one another again. I liked that they supported each other as they did, and it made the whole thing very believable.
The prose got a wee bit purple at times, and there were a couple of instnaces where I would have liked to see scenes fleshed out a bit more. But overall this is a really sweet story with good characterization. It was a short, quick read, but I enjoyed my time spent with these guys. I liked it a lot and recommend it to you if you’re looking for a fluffy, feel good story.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
This story was sweet and wonderful and just what I wanted. I love a good lover’s reunited story, and Lane provides exactly that. These two guys had something special in the summer after high school, and fate gives them the opportunity to reconnect and start something real.
What I really liked about this story was that we got to see how both men have grown up and become comfortable in their skin. It’s been fifteen years since they’ve seen each other, and they are both ready for a long lasting committed relationship. Because of that, it’s the perfect time for them to reunite and, even though things move fast, it works here for these men and their situation. I liked that though they jumped into a relationship, they didn’t immediately change their entire lives for each other. They needed time to really get to know one another again. I liked that they supported each other as they did, and it made the whole thing very believable.
The prose got a wee bit purple at times, and there were a couple of instnaces where I would have liked to see scenes fleshed out a bit more. But overall this is a really sweet story with good characterization. It was a short, quick read, but I enjoyed my time spent with these guys. I liked it a lot and recommend it to you if you’re looking for a fluffy, feel good story.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
August 7, 2010
Dean and Eric were close friends throughout high school who discovered after graduation that they wanted to be more. But their time together ended when Eric and his military family moved away and Dean went off to University. Now fifteen years later they meet again on Valentine's Day. Eric has just retired early from the Marine Corps and Dean is a pediatric doctor in a big hospital. When they meet again they realize they're still attracted to each other. Free now from the constraints of youth and inexperience they become lovers and in just a few days the newly connected friends/lovers are falling in love again.
But life doesn't always come with a guarantee for a happy ending. Eric is just starting his new life and is looking forward to getting away from the military environment he's been in all his life while Dean is settled and happy in Jacksonville, North Carolina, home to Camp Lejeune Marine base. They will have to find a way to satisfy both their needs if they want their second chance at love.
Love's Return is the first story I've read by this author. It's nicely written, the men are likable and the 'old friends reconnecting' theme was interesting. I did find Eric's attitude a bit annoying towards the end but overall I liked this sweet easy read. The sex scenes are hot, the storyline is fairly uncomplicated and there is a nice HEA ending.
Read and reviewed for Rainbow Reviews
But life doesn't always come with a guarantee for a happy ending. Eric is just starting his new life and is looking forward to getting away from the military environment he's been in all his life while Dean is settled and happy in Jacksonville, North Carolina, home to Camp Lejeune Marine base. They will have to find a way to satisfy both their needs if they want their second chance at love.
Love's Return is the first story I've read by this author. It's nicely written, the men are likable and the 'old friends reconnecting' theme was interesting. I did find Eric's attitude a bit annoying towards the end but overall I liked this sweet easy read. The sex scenes are hot, the storyline is fairly uncomplicated and there is a nice HEA ending.
Read and reviewed for Rainbow Reviews
January 22, 2015
Original Blog Post: eARC Review: Love's Return by Trina Lane
Review by multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars
(Based on Short&Light Read Category)
This was a really sweet romance that began when both Eric and Dean were still in their teens but sadly ended when circumstances separated them. Eric had to go with his parents to another country as his father was in the military while Dean stayed got left behind wanting. Letters exchanged were not enough when the teen life got in the way.
Now, fifteen years later, an accidental meeting at a movie theater reunited the two friends but their chemistry apparently had never lost its sizzling reaction so they hooked up once more. They still loved each other after all these years and somehow, their being more experienced and older in more ways than one served to get their teen relationship into more solid and mature grounds. The only things in the way were their chosen careers. Now all they have to do is make the long distance affair work or give up.
I had never read this before so I wouldn't really know how that first edition went. All I know is that I fell for these two men. What I really liked about this one? It was truly sweet!!! Made me smile all throughout and just pushed the right buttons before bedtime.
Review by multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4 of 4 Stars
(Based on Short&Light Read Category)
This was a really sweet romance that began when both Eric and Dean were still in their teens but sadly ended when circumstances separated them. Eric had to go with his parents to another country as his father was in the military while Dean stayed got left behind wanting. Letters exchanged were not enough when the teen life got in the way.
Now, fifteen years later, an accidental meeting at a movie theater reunited the two friends but their chemistry apparently had never lost its sizzling reaction so they hooked up once more. They still loved each other after all these years and somehow, their being more experienced and older in more ways than one served to get their teen relationship into more solid and mature grounds. The only things in the way were their chosen careers. Now all they have to do is make the long distance affair work or give up.
I had never read this before so I wouldn't really know how that first edition went. All I know is that I fell for these two men. What I really liked about this one? It was truly sweet!!! Made me smile all throughout and just pushed the right buttons before bedtime.
January 11, 2016
Sexy snax indeed. Dean and Eric set the pages on fire from the very beginning. Anytime I have a read that is this short a rekindle love is honestly what works best for me. Dean and Eric shared a summer of discovery fifteen years ago. Young love, first love, going off to college, and a family moving to another continent was too much to allow them to continue their brief affair. Flash forward and a chance meeting gives them the second chance they never imagined.
Eric has just left his career as a Marine. While he doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do with his new civilian life he has a good idea. Bumping into Dean while unexpected also plays into what he wants from his new life. Dean is just as surprised as Eric. They both have nothing but fond memories of that one summer. Those memories allow them to quickly pick up where they both regret leaving off.
Love’s Return was one sexy read that I really enjoyed, until the epilogue. I like a little conflict in my reads. Where short novellas are concerned I’m generally fine with quick simple fixes of those conflicts. Here it just felt too rushed and too easy. It is the obvious resolution but it received it in a way that felt lacking.
Eric has just left his career as a Marine. While he doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do with his new civilian life he has a good idea. Bumping into Dean while unexpected also plays into what he wants from his new life. Dean is just as surprised as Eric. They both have nothing but fond memories of that one summer. Those memories allow them to quickly pick up where they both regret leaving off.
Love’s Return was one sexy read that I really enjoyed, until the epilogue. I like a little conflict in my reads. Where short novellas are concerned I’m generally fine with quick simple fixes of those conflicts. Here it just felt too rushed and too easy. It is the obvious resolution but it received it in a way that felt lacking.
February 8, 2015
Full Review listed here: http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
Two childhood friends and lovers find each other again after being apart for fifteen years. They run into each at of all places a movie theater on Valentine’s Day. Both of them are alone and still single. The fireworks start almost immediately as they both learn that neither has forgotten the other and love still exists between them.
Along with some very hot and wicked sex.
I loved Dean and Eric. They weren’t perfect; they were normal everyday men that just felt real to me. I was invested that they had their happily ever after. This was an awesome well-written and fast past read that left me satisfied and happy at the end. This book just did it for me.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
Two childhood friends and lovers find each other again after being apart for fifteen years. They run into each at of all places a movie theater on Valentine’s Day. Both of them are alone and still single. The fireworks start almost immediately as they both learn that neither has forgotten the other and love still exists between them.
Along with some very hot and wicked sex.
I loved Dean and Eric. They weren’t perfect; they were normal everyday men that just felt real to me. I was invested that they had their happily ever after. This was an awesome well-written and fast past read that left me satisfied and happy at the end. This book just did it for me.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com*
January 26, 2015
FourStars
Dean and Eric are both loveable characters. I love how this story is told from both past and present. Their love is so pure – despite being together years apart, their hearts never forgot each other.
I liked how Lane used the past to set up the story – because it was a novella – the quickness of the story was helped along with the peeks in to the past. Without those, the story would have moved too fast. I really liked how each character brought something different to the relationship – they kept their own personalities. Too many times, couples take on each other’s traits rather than keeping true to themselves. However, the end of the story was what made me fall in love with these characters.
I would definitely read more of Trina Lane.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
AvidReader
Dean and Eric are both loveable characters. I love how this story is told from both past and present. Their love is so pure – despite being together years apart, their hearts never forgot each other.
I liked how Lane used the past to set up the story – because it was a novella – the quickness of the story was helped along with the peeks in to the past. Without those, the story would have moved too fast. I really liked how each character brought something different to the relationship – they kept their own personalities. Too many times, couples take on each other’s traits rather than keeping true to themselves. However, the end of the story was what made me fall in love with these characters.
I would definitely read more of Trina Lane.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
AvidReader
July 7, 2014
Absolutley adored this book! I fell in love with Eric! I loved Dean and Eric together... but it was all Eric for me, though! Very good and very hot read! I am looking forward to reading more from this author, so I will get to it!
July 16, 2010
While I always embrace the idea of two people who used to have history to get back together again, this story is rather, uhm, conflict free -- and it makes it just on the "nice story" territory.
February 2, 2012
2,7* I would have preferred more story and less sex.
July 20, 2012
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews