NOT EVERY HERO WEARS A UNIFORMCan love last a lifetime? Billy Walsh and Daniel Richards never intended to be matchmakers. After all, they’re only at the start of their own love story. When Billy uncovers a failed love affair, he learns it lasted more than fifty years until it fell apart. He and Daniel see their own fledgling relationship through the lens of the now estranged couple, and they vow … and they vow to reunite the elderly lovers. But as they set about their task, the pressure of modern life threatens to tear them apart.
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I really enjoyed this book because it is actually, several stories in one, without being a book of connected short stories. We get glimpses of Billy and Daniel in both their past relationships and the one now with each other, Chuck and Guy and friends and relations of all these guys. Stories from the past and present intertwine, and we see love in all its aspects through the various characters. Unlike some stories where different couples and different times are involved, I had no trouble keeping track of who and where the story was dealing with. Very well written and different take on m/m romance.
This was a bittersweet, beautiful love story! Daniel and Billy had fantastic chemistry but better yet great communication! Loved the secondary characters!! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
This was a romantic story but it is a tearjerker in some parts. Billy is a sweet man caring for his dying mother when he meets Daniel a music director for kids therapy. We get to see their relationship grow while meeting Chuck and learning bits and pieces of his life with Guy. This isn’t an “exciting” read but it was lovely anyway. I do feel like it kind of dragged on in places but I still enjoyed it. The side characters are done well which is always nice and the story wraps up in a satisfying manner.
So many characters that have been blended into wonderful relationships and complex situations.
My first thought, as I finished the book, was how sad I was about Sarah at the end. So little family support.
Then with Jason and Anthony…how they played such important roles in the story even though they weren’t in the ‘action’ much.
Finally the parallel romances between Chuck and Guy decades before Billy and Daniel. Even though their circumstances were different, they still had decisions to make and days to enjoy each other. Never put love aside or pride before it. You don’t know if you’ll ever have the chance to reclaim it.
I especially loved Maggie. She was a breath of fresh air whenever the story line got too heavy. I want to have her for a friend.
Great romance from a mystery writer
The story of Daniel and Billy is so real. It may start with a classic meet-cute, crashing into one another’s arms, but the story dives so much deeper into their lives and fills the novel with so much raw emotion and love. It has me as a reader feeling very connected with almost every character in the story.
We’ve all read the cutesy, lovey-dovey romance that sends us head over heels, but we are not often gifted with the nitty-gritty that is the actual glue of romantic relationships. Daniel and Billy are both struggling in their personal lives with not only their careers, but also with their past relationships. They both have a lot to learn about communication, even if they already seem to have the intimacy part down pat!
The fiery passion between these two is only exemplified by how sweet they are as characters. They are both so caring that naturally when Chuck comes along with a mysterious past and a secret lost love, Billy and Daniel together find the key that may just be able to open up this grumpy old man’s heart again.
David C. Dawson does an excellent job creating characters that make an impactful story. Incredibly saucy sex scenes cannot even compare to the vibrant sauciness of Daniel’s good friend Maggie, whose biting wit and sincerity help craft this from a story of lust to a wonderfully memorable piece of romance. Not to mention Billy’s mother Sarah, who is an incredibly light and caring character with a set of unfortunate circumstances that just help guide Billy to be his best self. But trust me, there are many lusty moments too! The plot was thick with moments all over the spectrum of happy, sexy, and sad, and it was written so well that I was able to really let my heart laugh, love, and grieve the parts of the story that required me to do so.
Heroes in Love is an encouraging story about love, future aspirations, and forgiveness. It gives a wonderful assortment of queer representation that is so important to a much wider audience, and a story that is as well-written as it is H.O.T! David C. Dawson wrote true, REAL, love that takes hard work and care to cultivate, and it was such a pleasure to read along as the characters find their way to their true happiness. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who believes that love can find you at any time or place, and that true love will wait for you as long as you open your heart to the possibilities.
Billy stumbled onto Daniel in the hospital where he visited his mom.
When they meet again on the stairway Daniel finds Billy sobbing and they go for a coffee. Something sweet and kind is blooming.
Billy, a former actor, has a busy job as a social worker and Daniel lives the best job he can imagine as a music director.
There is a wide story here. We meet quite some side characters who just didn’t let anyone put them in a role as a side character, there were just too important. One of them is Chuck an old grumpy client of Billy. I just loved that man. There is a wonderful story around him, you will be amazed!
There are a lot of conversations, witty, humorous and endearing ones.
Billy and Daniel are engaging and following them is a quite impressive journey.
Both have a past that gets in the way and little bits of them seep into the light.
They fit so well mentally and physically, the sexuality is of great pleasure, hot af.
Actually, everything did go very well, the news Daniel got a work offer that will have him leave England to settle New York isn’t quite what Billy had in mind.
It’s an amazingly written story, captivating af and they both were such gentle guys. It’s all thoroughly developed with a few beautiful side stories, very intriguing and entertaining. A winner and certainly a recommendation worthy!
A shout out for the heroes!
Daniel and Billy who fall in love with each other with each having life issue’s and dealing with that and trying to connect with each other. This story has some angst but also has sweet moments. This story moves at a good pace and has wonderful supporting characters. Just a beautiful story!
Billy Walsh retired from an acting career at an early age, to take care of his ailing mother. He’s very caring, selfless and has a shyness about him and most importantly he’s a loving son. To be closer and able to care for his mother, Billy works as a social worker in North East London. As if his client list isn’t already overloaded he’s given a new client, Chuck Stuart. Billy actually likes his visits with his elderly clients and enjoys listening to their stories.
On a visit with his Mother, he meets with Dr. Jerome. Unfortunately, the update on her is not good and Billy is just overwhelmed. While he’s trying to compose himself from the upsetting news, he’s approached by Daniel, who he had already ran into at the hospital.
Daniel Richards has a wonderful job as a musical director. He’s produced “Therapy on Stage” that works with all special needs youngsters. It seems he has hopes to spread out his production to more places. Daniel seems somewhat dominant, fun and a little hyper. He has a very close friend in Maggie who brings some very colorful items to decorate his home.
As David and Billy start to get acquainted, Billy notices a sort of rudeness in Daniel when he get’s texts messages. It always seems Daniel breaks dates or has to immediately leave. Billy makes one mistake that could possibly end their exploration of a relationship.
Even with all the situations going on in Billy’s life, he befriends the cranky older man, Chuck Stuart. He finds out that Chuck is an American war veteran and has been holding on to a secret for over fifty years.
David C. Dawson is known for his “Delingpole Mysteries” about mystery, murder, and espionage. “Heroes In Love” was a wonderful surprise! This is his first, strictly, romantic novel and he did a spectacular job. It’s a warm, heartfelt, love story, filled with emotions and the ups and downs of these two men’s lives. David gives a very in-depth look at both Billy and Daniel’s lives, as very young boys and how they survived to where they are now.
There’s minor drama between Billy and Daniel but they always seem to take the time to talk things out and be honest with each other. I like the conversation that they have about love and what it really means to both of them. They both have to deal with things from their pasts and how to make amends.
David created such a wonderful character, Chuck Stuart, he absolutely stole my heart. This novel also brings art and music to the forefront. I was curious about the David Hockney painting “Peter Getting Out of Nick’s Pool” and looked it up.
I could just go on about this novel but I don’t want to reveal too much more because there’s so many great moments that are revealed in this novel. All I can say is if your looking for a superbly written romance story this is it!
A lovely tale to lose myself into and escape reality for a few hours!
‘Heroes in Love’ weaves together the story of two adorable couples: Thirty something’s-‘Billy-Daniel’ and in their sweet 70s -‘Chuck and his handsome lover’.
The story starts off by focusing on Billy – An actor turned social worker who is bogged down by his mother’s sickness, missed opportunities and a bad streak when it comes to relationships, but still tries to make the most of everything life throws his way. He meets Daniel during one such encounter and though it’s not insta-love, they do connect. I loved the way the story traces the different stages of their relationship- the insecurities, the doubts, hope and lots of emotive little moments. In another play by the hands of fate, Billy gets assigned to Chuck’s case and though the latter appears brooding, cold and outright rude initially, Chuck warms up to Billy and from there on, we are introduced to Chuck’s story, his mysterious lover and Billy’s attempt to play matchmaker. It was very refreshing to read the contrasting viewpoints of love- Billy-Daniel’s (new found love dictated by modern societal expectations, uncertainty and doubt) and Chuck’s (love that has withstood the test of time, prejudice and fear). Nonetheless, love that fills one with hope and will always find its way back.
The author has portrayed each character in an unique way and as the story progresses, we are introduced to the different sides of their personalities. Shy, sad and self-doubting Billy goes on to be determined, decisive and begins to flourish under Daniel’s TLC. And though I was a little speculative of Daniel at first, I really was rooting for him at the end. The author’s writing style and diction complements the story well and the detailed descriptions were wonderful to read. Loved the way the author described the settings, landmarks and backdrops of London. Made me add them all to my bucketlist. I imagine it would be a true treat to those who are familiar with the mentioned sights.
Overall, it was a lovely read, highlighting that being hailed a hero isn’t just confined to acts of bravery, but also on triumphing through the odds, hate, injustice, having the courage to expose your vulnerabilities and having the determination to get what your heart truly desires.
Highly recommend