A 2017 Riptide Holiday Charity NovelLast month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who … beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.
Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.
When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he’s ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they’ve always longed for.
NOTE: Twenty percent of all proceeds from this title will be donated to the Russian LGBT Network. To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: https://lgbtnet.org/en.
Word count: 59,200; page count: 237
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The Remaking of Corbin Wale is unlike any other M/M romance I’ve read. It’s contemporary romance, and yet there’s a fantastical quality to it created by the unique world view of one of the main characters.
Roan Parrish’s writing is beautiful and lyrical. She turns a character baking bread into absolute poetry. The smallest, most mundane acts became significant and special. It truly is a remarkable read!
This book has kept me captivated for weeks now. Even though I’ve read a lot of others since I first read THE REMAKING OF CORBIN WALE, I keep going back to it to read it again. It’s hard to explain, but the writing is so lyrical, the two men so totally unique, different from one another, and yet formed in such a way it’s as if Alex is the key to Corbin’s lock. This may sound weird, but I’ve been totally stressed out, and the writing/characters/story is somehow so relaxing and yet totally entertaining, that I can’t walk away from it. I’ve been wanting to write a review, but every time I do I make the mistake of opening it back up and the story sucks me in once again.
Alex Barrow has been forced to make changes after losing both his boyfriend, and then his job in a bakery, one on top of the other. He ends up back in his home town, surprisingly excited about his future. His widowed mother is ready for a change, and that means turning the family coffee shop over to Alex.
It’s not until he opens the shop as a bakery after a complete remodel that he first sees Corbin. The young man, beautiful, waifish, almost feral, fascinates Alex. Corbin comes into the bakery almost daily for coffee, sitting quietly in a corner and drawing on an art pad, and before long Alex finds himself taking treats to Corbin in a manner that almost feels like a mating dance.
But Corbin is different, and Alex is fascinated by his unique qualities. As time passes, they grow closer, become friends, but Corbin still holds himself apart, and Alex is desperate to learn more about the young man who is, to Alex, the most beautiful person he’s known.
This story is magical without dwelling on magic. Corbin’s background has left him open to the natural world, to spells that the two women who raised him treated as a natural part of their lives, to the point that things that might seem inconsequential to some are life-affirming or altering to Corbin.
This is a lovely romance, but it’s also the story of the remaking of Corbin Wale, and in many ways, the remaking of Alex Barrow as well. I’ve already purchased other books by this author and hope to spend a lot of time just wallowing in her beautiful writing. The entire book feels like a poem, with images and personalities woven into the fabric of the story in a manner that left me almost breathless when I finished the book. The first time, the second, even the third. I go back to read sections that stay with me, and I can only say that this story stands alone. I’ve never read anything like it, and I’ll probably be reading it again. Highly recommended.
“Love doesn’t live in kisses and flowers … “
Wow!!! This book was all kinds of dreamy and poetic and beautiful. The Remaking of Corbin Wale is the book that first drew my attention to Roan Parrish and I’m so glad I got around to reading it. Before I had even purchased the book I was in love with that cover and the story inside is one that captivated me from the beginning.
Alex has come out of a long term relationship and lost his job all within a week of one another so he heads back home and – with prompting from his best friend Gareth – takes over his mother’s coffee shop and turns it into a bakery and cafe. Corbin used to be a regular at the old coffee shop and when Alex’s bakery opens, he takes up residence at his usually table, sketching and keeping to himself. Alex is immediately drawn to the Corbin’s unusual, yet alluring, presence and despite a lot of townspeople having preconceived and negative views about Corbin, Alex is convinced there is more to Corbin than first impressions.
Yet again Roan has created a beautiful world, rich in its setting, its inhabitants and its feel. Alex’s bakery and all the baked goods almost become characters themselves, as they take on meaning and importance to the story as well as Alex and Corbin. And Corbin himself manifests an incredible and unique view on the world that Roan does a fabulous job of portraying as well as respecting and I became enamoured with Corbin’s way of viewing life.
I also loved Gareth and Orin and the small but significant contributions they made to the story and I’m thrilled that they are getting their own book!!
This book is so very exceptional in its ability to not only deliver a beautiful romance but also a fabulous outlook on the world and the simple reminder that everyone sees the the life around them differently, who is to say what is right or wrong…
nicandbooks
Amazon/Goodreads
First, huge shoutout to Diana from TPAM for mentioning that this book was free otherwise I would have never known it existed and been able to enjoy the sheer magic that is Alex & Corbin!!
Alex has just returned to his hometown after losing his job and not too long before that he broke up with his boyfriend of three years so things just haven’t been going his way. Upon his arrival home his Mom has given him her coffee shop so that he can turn it in to his dream bakery. He might be on the tail end of a bad situation, but things are looking are up including the delicious but shy customer who keeps to himself. Alex recognizes him from high school, the kid who was constantly being bullied for being “weird” and having the “crazy” aunts. Now, years later Alex feels a pull to Corbin that he has never felt before with anyone including his ex. Alex knows he has to be careful with Corbin because not only is he shy but he seems frightened every time Alex gets near him.
Corbin knows he is the weird guy around town, while the looks and comments bother him, he has grown accustomed to it and doesn’t expect things to change. He keeps to himself, has his art and his dogs he can do this, he can be alone forever that way no one has to get hurt. One day all that changes when his favorite coffee shop opens back up and the new owner Alex is a presence he never expected. Corbin knows he can’t get close to Alex, so he keeps his distance making sure never to touch him and keep things as simple as possible. How hard could that be?
“The problem is that even if you don’t touch, even if you keep things back … the feelings are still there. Because love doesn’t live in kisses and flowers and first dates. It lives in your mind, in your heart.”
As Alex and Corbin’s friendship grows they are both aware of the changes and while Alex is trying to move things in the direction of romance, Corbin is trying everything he can to resist this man who seems to want to understand him. When feelings become too hard to resist Corbin realizes immediately that he can’t let Alex go and he will stop at nothing to make sure that Alex won’t get hurt.
The Remaking of Corbin Wale is unlike anything I have ever read before. This story is going to be one of those that stays with me for years to come because everything about this story was beautiful. Roan Parrish is a new author to me but his writing has a way of making you fall in love with the story as well as the characters and the next thing you know your heart is beating faster with every page turn just waiting to see what happens. There aren’t many books that just take ahold of my soul but this one did in the most unexpected way and I can’t wait to discover more by this author.
This story is so beautiful. Both main characters, Alex and Corbin, are such kind and wonderful people. You can’t help but to root for them to both find their joy, peace, and an HEA.
Alex is quite gregarious. Not in an obnoxious or overwhelming way. He knows he can come off as intimidating due to his size and big personality so he’s learned when to rein it in. Although Alex has always been good at making friends, there are few who know the real him. He’s a natural caregiver so doesn’t tend to express his own problems so as to not burden anyone.
While Corbin also keeps any woes to himself, he pretty much keeps everything to himself. Always the odd man out when he was a child, that has carried over into adulthood. His upbringing was loving, but also extremely eccentric. The poor guy was given absolutely no social skills to work with. Now, as an adult, Corbin continues to keep to himself and limit his interactions to animals instead of humans. He also has an immense fantasy life where he actually lives a good majority of his life.
Corbin and Alex are instantly drawn to one another. Where Corbin has no clue how to proceed with such an attraction and believes there is no way someone as well-loved and outgoing as Alex would even give him a second look, Alex quickly realizes he will have to proceed very slowly with getting Corbin to open up and trust him. The way their story unfolds is magical. These two truly connect on a different level, understanding each other’s souls.
I think I loved getting to know Corbin almost as much as Alex did. He is such an interesting character. My heart ached for the young boy he once was and the man who was trying so hard to protect himself and those around him.
This is technically a holiday story as it takes place in November and December. To me, that makes the magic of the story that much more special. Roan Parrish is quickly becoming a favorite author for me. She really seems to understand human nature on a deep level.
The Remaking of Corbin Wale – Roan Parrish – I wasn’t prepared for that. I think I was expecting a rom-com with a bakery, and the beginning read a little bit like that kind of opening. Have you ever read any Isabel Allende? It read like magical realism meets lyrical prose, so the people that said it was too slow burn for them I understand. About a third of the way through, I did a spot check to make sure I was in the same book because the tone changed completely when we started to see into Corbin’s head. So I really liked this because you can see the internal process of these two people changing and figuring out how to be themselves with someone else. I’m fangirling for Roan Parrish’s brain, but I don’t care! Happy Reading!
Such a beautiful story!!
New to me author. This is a MM contemporary with some magic thrown in. Alex leaves New York to return to his hometown where he takes over the shop owned by this parents. Once “And Son” opens Alex meets the unusual Corbin Wales. The author uses both characters POV to tell this story. Corbin is full of stories of magic and curses from this late Aunties. Alex slowly seeks out Corbin and they have a HEA. This book is beautiful in its nature. There is someone for everyone to love.
This book hit just right for the season. And all of a sudden, I feel like I need to bake some Challah. If you love MM romances or are even curious to have a taste of what it’s like… read this book. Roan is a fantastic story teller. It’s slow burn with an epic retelling of Practical Magic. I enjoyed it so, so much and now want to indulge on every single book this author has written!
Magical, and I reread it at least twice a year.
A very good reading. The story keeps you hooked in how the main characters will overcome the obstacles in their relationship. It was original and a pleasure to read it.
This book was such a joy to read. The characters were vivid and the reveal of each of them was just slow enough to keep me up all night to finish the book. Corbin’s inner world was beautiful and the imagery in the entire book evoked every sense. I could see, touch, taste and smell the world these characters live in. Fabulous book.
A little weird, but I finished it
The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish drew me in from the first page. There was a quiet, poetic, magical feel to the story. I took my time reading it; never wanting it to end.
It’s the story of two men who need each other. One man has recently moved back home, and the other is the town’s pariah. Alex and Corbin are instantly drawn to one another- like kismet. Little by little, they get to know each other and what ensues is a beautifully written slow burn romance.
Some highlights:
-The POV changes. The story is told from both men’s POV, and they alternate seamlessly allowing us to each man’s thoughts and feelings while moving the story along at a steady pace.
-Relationship development. Their love is built on patience and understanding.
-The writing is poignant and flawless. Every once in a while you come across a story that is special, and this is one of them.
There’s no way that I can do this book any justice, so all say is: read it.
5+ Stars
I’m awe struck. This was one of the most magical and beautiful books I’ve ever read. Roan Parrish is a master writer. Her use of language, the gorgeous descriptions, the sweet story that flowed and ebbed so naturally…it was all just so lovely. It felt like a lyrical poem that grew into a story. A wonderful, heartwarming story about true love and our true selves. This book touched me, and I’m sitting here wishing it wasn’t over, but at the same time, feeling so warm and satisfied with the elegant ending.
Beautiful
Absolutely fabulously beautiful story, I feel so for the misunderstood boy that finally meets someone who sees him and understands him. Corbin and Alex story is sweet, emotional and intense.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Beautiful dialogues
The characters is developed in to different personalities that has me engaged in the story from the first chapter.
The way the author describes the love between Corbin and Alex is poetic.
One of the most beautiful mm romances I’ve read
5 stars (less) [edit]
This book is pure magic!
I really did not expect to love it as much as I did going in. It has this dream-like, sort of ethereal vibe, that leaves you wondering if Corbin is actually some sort of otherworldly creature. I fell in love with the slow rhythm of the story. A book different from anything I ever read , that thugged at my heartstrings and warmed me like a cold blanket in front of a fireplace.
This book could have so many superlative adjectives associated with it. Most amazing. Most unbelievable. Most enchanting. But I think I’ll go with the most unforgettable book of 2018 for me. Parrish conducted her usual magic in character creation, and then took it a step farther and brought them to life on the pages. A reader cannot help but become entwined in the lives of Corbin and Alex. Thank you, author, for giving me the gift of your art and talent. ~ML
I adore this book. Roan Parrish writes such beautiful characters. I have found a new favorite author!
The Remaking of Corbin Wale was such a sweet, yet odd, story. It grabbed me right away and I found myself drawn in, immediately falling in love with Corbin and Alex. I didn’t expect to have my heartstrings tugged so hard
It is impossible to not like Corbin. All his life everyone has called him weird, a freak. To deal with it all, Corbin would escape into his own world. I knew I was reading an M/M romance but at times, because of his fantasies, I kept expecting everything to change gears and trip into a different genre. It just makes me want to momma bear him away from all the cruelties he has suffered from mean people.
Alex, he is just one of those really nice guys. He returns to his hometown after losing partner, home, and job to help his mom with the family coffee shop. The coffee isn’t that great, so he takes it and makes it into a bakery. On opening day, a man comes in. One that catches his attention and is strangely familiar. Every day he waits to see if Corbin arrives.
What can I say but I really enjoyed this book. What goes on between Corbin and Alex is fragile and amazing. Not quite an instant love, but more of two people drawn to each other. One feeling unworthy, the other only see the beauty. Corbin is such an odd duck, he can’t understand how Alex wants to be with him. There’s this special magic friendship that grows between them while secretly they both want something more. And can I say my goodness can Corbin fantasize! The ending was amazing. A perfect read all the way around.
Now if only if Gareth could get his own HEA!