Fixing The Hole by Katherine Halle
M/M Romance (novella)
80 pages
November 5, 2014
Dreamspinner
Reviewed by Helyce
From Goodreads: Heavy rains and strong winds slammed an uprooted tree through Steve Crowell’s roof, leaving a gaping hole to match the one in his heart. After his ex left him for a younger man, Steve’s not sure he’s ready to handle another disaster. His best friend highly recommended the contractor, but the man’s already late, and when he shows up with his music thumping, Steve isn’t impressed—until Riley steps out of his pickup truck. Personable, gorgeous Riley talks a mile a minute, which Steve finds both ridiculously endearing and terrifying. Piecing together a heart isn’t as easy as fixing a roof, but Riley might just be the right man for the job.
Katherine Halle is a new to me author and the blurb was what drew me to want to read this story. While it doesn’t really say much, it was the reference to Steve’s ex that intrigued me as well as Riley’s “talks a mile a minute” description.
Steve is an attorney. When working in the corporate world didn’t suit, he went into private practice and he is much happier for it. He works out of his home, so the fact that his office now has a huge hole in it is quite distressing. Lucky for him, his best bud Dale has a recommendation and he contacts the contractor, Riley, right away. Riley does not really make a great first impression being late and all, but as he begins to work Steve realizes that he is a competent builder.
Riley is young and I found him adorable. He’s building his business and he clearly has pride in his work; it’s important that he do a good job. He’s personable and loves to talk-which he does constantly. While Steve’s initial response to Riley’s chattiness is disbelief, he quickly warms up to the young man.
Steve is still healing from his previous relationship. His partner left him for a younger man, so Steve is a bit gun-shy. Riley is much younger than Steve and though he finds him attractive, he’s just not sure he’s ready to start something new. But as the repairs begin, Steve finds himself looking forward to Riley’s arrival every day and also looking for ways to keep him around.
This is a sweet, humorous story that is more about two people meeting and getting to know each other. There is no HEA and it didn’t even feel much like a HFN. We get a bit of back story about our main characters and a peek into their lives prior to this meeting, but for the most part it takes place in the present as Steve and Riley flirt and see if there is something there. It doesn’t really delve very deep or give us any kind of angsty emotional drama. It’s paced well, and is easily read in one sitting. It’s….cute.
I’m not sure this author’s voice is for me though. It kind of reads young even though our MCs are almost 30 and mid 40s. It’s may have been the shortness of the story, but I didn’t really feel pulled in and invested in this couple. There is no sex, which in all honestly was probably appropriate here since the story ends a bit abruptly.
Rating: C-
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