Phillip used to laugh a lot, back when his friends called him Pip. However the good deed that left him hospitalized not only marred his body, it stripped him of his good humor too. Ever since, he has pushed his friends away and shut out the world. Donating his vintage clothing to a charity shop should have been the final act in a year-long campaign to sever the links with the man Pip used to be, … be, but the stranger on his doorstep awakens feelings in Pip that he hasn’t experienced since the incident that left him angry at the world and reliant on the cold metal of the hideous hospital-issue crutch.
Colby forces his way into Pip’s life, picking at the scab of his past. Colby isn’t interested in Pip’s money or his expensive address. He has only one goal: to make Pip smile again. With every moment in Pip’s presence, Colby chips away at the walls Pip has built around himself. Pip knows it’s impossible to fight his attraction with Colby’s sunny disposition casting light into the darkness in his soul.
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This was a moving and entertaining romance. The characters are both maturely drawn with their own issues and emotions, coping with the hand life’s dealt them, and I found it very easy to connect and sympathise with them both. The thing I love best about a romance – and what I found so delightful in this book! – is that these two characters are then changed and empowered by meeting each other, and what they can achieve together. The author dealt with this so well, not rushing through it, but allowing them to learn about each other and for the romance to blossom. Yes, there were tear-jerking moments, but it was necessary to be able to appreciate the HEA they found. Pip never came across as a loser, nor Colby a do-gooder. They just struck delicious sparks off each other, and their happiness came as a result of – as well as ‘despite’ – their determined natures. One I’ll re-read.
Life can turn in just one minute! One day Phillip/Pip was on top of the world. Then suddenly he is recovering with less than his previous mobility. He is unhappy, grumpy and acting out a bit. Colby, stops by to pick up vintage clothing Phillip is donating. Colby is not put off and motivated to dig into Phillip’s prognosis, recovery and coping mechanisms. Phillip growls but Colby just carries on being his friend. Does Colby let Phillip sink into his unhappiness? Does Colby stay strong? Does Phip choose to pck up and make the best of his circumstances? Does Colby help Phillip see himself, better? Nice characters. Phillip and Colby balance. Nicely done. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a very moving story. Colby arrives to pick up a clothing donation from the wealthy Mr. Phillip Longhampton. He meets a surly, crabby man complaining that he rang the doorbell too many times since once would be enough to let him limp over on his metal crutch to answer it. Trying again to ascertain that this man was Mr. Longhampton, the man yelled back in a very angry tone that he wasn’t, he was a squatter! The man was obviously slim, but Colby thought his sunken cheeks and darkness under the eyes made him look gaunt and sickly. His hair was lank and needed cutting. But he smelled good! The angry glare made him wonder if he might have actually sniffed the guy just then! They had to climb stairs, so Phillip asked him to go ahead. He did, but waited at the top and actually flirted with the man. Colby was surprising himself since he never flirted! What he really wanted to do was go back downstairs and offer Phillip his arm – or better yet, carry him up the stairs over his shoulder!
The characters were so good together. Phillip hated what had happened to him, feeling worthless and incapable of doing the simplest things. Colby was outgoing, warm, compassionate, and never let Phillip discourage him from his upbeat personality. Although it may have driven some people crazy — those types who are always happy when all you want to do is angrily kick a can across the street – Colby was just what Phillip needed in his life. Colby sees the real man under the grumpy exterior, and all he wants is to bring back that happy person and make him value himself again.
The writing is excellent, the story line compelling and well-paced, and the characters personable. I loved this book and look forward to many more by this author. Well done!
This is a sweet and heartwarming romance between Pip and Colby. It’s a story of compassion and love with Colby supporting Pip emotionally ,helping him to bring light back into his life. The author brings strong characters and weaves a beautiful story with detailed and descriptive scenes. I enjoyed reading their story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Phillip (Pip) has been in a downward spiral since an accident compromised his mobility. In the process of donating his prized wardrobe, he meets Colby, the disarmingly cheerful and meddlesome owner of a second-hand charity shop. Colby immediately embarks on a campaign to pull Pip out of his shell and back into the world. To say that Colby’s interventions in Pip’s life are high handed is being generous. To say that they’re about as subtle as a meteor strike is to understate it. Colby is all sunshine, puppies, and three-steps-too-far with all the things, all the time. He’s a lot, but he’s also sincere, and sweet, and capable of reaching Pip when no one else is. There’s plenty of angst and a few miscommunications, some truly excellent vintage apparel, and, of course an HEA, so I’d highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.