REVIEW: “Better Than New” by Charley Descoteaux
ABOUT:
Dear Author,
Please use this excerpt as a prompt:
O’ God it’s wonderful
to get out of bed
and drink too much coffee
and smoke too many cigarettes
and love you so much
— from Steps by Frank O’Hara
Photo Description:
Extreme close-up of a handsome young man with beautiful blue eyes and a sexy bit of scruff. He’s exhaling a drag from a cigarette, the smoke curls around his face, framing his jaw and pouty mouth. His expression leaves no doubt he’s looking at something— or someone— he’d like to get close to.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love’s Landscapes” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
REVIEW:
Dessert shots…One of life’s simple pleasures.
I have a sweet tooth, but a small appetite. I always desire dessert but rarely have them…until mini desserts were invented. A shot of dessert is pure genius! A few nibbles of sweetness, a bite or two, they are just enough to please your palate.
Actually, I love just about anything ‘mini’. I especially love mini stories and this year’s M/M Romance collection, Love’s Landscapes, is an amazing collection of miniatures. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Love’s Landscapes event is a plethora of bite-sized stories; some first-time authors, some classic favorites, and most likely, some new to you. It’s not a great commitment time wise and even better, for your pocketbook…they are all FREE!
Whenever I find myself in a slump, need a reprieve from an emotionally draining book or just want to do a little grazing, I turn to LL for some taste testing. I have stumbled on several fantastic authors by these means and have another to add to my list.
Bare essentials.
This story is the perfect example of the power and beauty of less is more. An emotional intense, sugar balanced tale of how imperfections can be rather perfect.
Theo is recovering from an accident which took his leg. A young college student finding his way after tragically losing his limb, his confidence, and self-esteem. Ben owns the coffee shop where Theo spends his free moments. Theo secretly wishes Ben would hold his gaze, not knowing the reason he quickly lets go. A snippet of scenes filled with great dialogue and intriguing characters. Beautifully written.
A misunderstanding is clarified. Sometimes all you need is a little light and a little glue, and some things are indeed better than new.
In a little more than two dozen pages I found more enjoyment than I have in a few hundred. I’m often impressed when an author can create such a great impact with very few words. I’d like to tell you more, but I honestly can’t. This was an unexpected sugar-fix that I’m still savoring.
If you are strapped for cash and time, I’d highly encourage you to nibble from the decadent menu Love’s Landscapes has to offer…and this bite-sized indulgence is a great place to start.
RATING: 4 STARS
BOOK INFO:
Title: Better Than New
Author: Charley Descoteaux
Publisher: MM Romance Group, Love’s Landscapes
Pages: 26
Release Date: June 4, 2014
Purchase Links: MM Romance Group
