David’s Selfie by Daisy Harris
M/M Romance (Novella)
November 17, 2014
Samhain

Reviewed by Helyce

Dr. David Letterer is a widowed man who is raising his 3 year old daughter Maia.  Between his work schedule and his daughter, it’s been ages since David has had some intimate company so he’s turned to online dating to remedy that situation.  He just wants to get laid and he’s determined to do it before the end of the year. Taking a cock shot of himself in order to secure a date took a lot of courage, but if that’s what it takes-he was willing to do it.  When he gets a response to his ad, he sets up a date and heads out to a local bar, Pony, to see it through.

When he arrives at the bar, he’s a bit out of his element, but he’s definitely enjoying the scenery of the gorgeous dancer up on the bar.  When his phone vibrates and a message appears that his date has arrived and that he should just call him “daddy” David is shocked to see the leather clad man standing near the entrance.  He panics, realizing at the same time that this is not at all what he signed up for.  Feeling the need to hide, he rushes off to the bathroom.

Craig is working as a Zumba instructor and a go go dancer at a club called Pony to put himself through school as he works toward a degree in exercise science and his goal of owning a gym one day. He’s had to sacrifice a lot and while he doesn’t enjoy the dancing, it’s good money and allows him to continue his schooling, every day a step closer to realizing his goals.  While taking a break, he finds a cell phone in the bathroom.  Just before he heads back to bar to finish off his shift, it rings and after some back and forth, he sets up a time to meet David to return his phone.

There is a definite attraction between these two, but timing is everything and these two have a few obstacles to overcome.

I’m a huge fan of Daisy Harris.  Her stories are often filled with humor and quirky characters and I’ve adored everything I’ve read by her so far.  In David’s Selfie, though, Ms. Harris gives us a more heartfelt and serious story that is laced with humor in a more subtle way. Right off we are treated with a funny though moving scene as David attempts to take a picture of his penis, in his bathroom, while his 3 year old daughter is knocking on the door.  “Daddies don’t need privacy” she grumbles as David attempts to placate her through the door as he hurriedly snaps a photo to upload to the dating site.

David considers himself bi-sexual.  He was married to Maia’s mother who had also been his best friend. After her death a year ago, he’s focused on work and his daughter–but now he’s at the point where it would be nice to have some alone time with more than just his own hand.  Unfortunately, arranging any kind of date takes massive coordination as he must secure a babysitter and severe time constraints.  But when David meets Craig at Starbucks to retrieve his phone their easy banter gives him hope that maybe this won’t be their last meeting.

I enjoyed this well thought out, realistic take of a man getting back into the dating world after losing someone special.  David’s determination to get back out there for a quick “hook up” is changed when he meets Craig.  There is a definite attraction and while logistics make their getting together difficult,  they persevere.  I really liked Craig as well.  We learn enough about his backstory to know that he had a difficult childhood and that his current home situation is far from ideal. I really felt for him; a young man, determined to make a better life for himself even while having to make some personal life choices that he wasn’t exactly proud of.

The conflict that causes our H/H difficulty is a bit predictable.  Craig hasn’t been totally honest with David about all of his jobs. As the reader, we’re aware of this situation and though it’s highlighted as the cause for some misjudgment and miscommunication with our main characters I was happy that the author didn’t make it more than what it was-not a lie, exactly, just a little selective sharing of someone in a new relationship.

The epilogue at the end is sweet and gives us a lovely peek into the future.  Ms. Harris succeeds in giving us a well rounded story in just under 120 pages, something she excels at.

Rating:  B

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