Review: City Boy

City Boy by A.E. Wasp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bryce is at a crossroads in his life. An injury has left him on the sidelines as his team plays on. But he has plenty to think about and do. There’s his ex-wife, who keeps questioning his sexuality. He’s not gay. Period. Then there’s a new multi-million-dollar contract waiting to be signed. And some long-lost relative has left him an apple orchard and farm, complete with farm house in his will. So, while he’s recovering, he’ll deal with all that.

Dakota can’t believe the will, his sort of, Grandfather told him about that left everything to him, can’t be found. And his embezzling ex-boyfriend keeps coming around too. He’s already lost so much. His parent, the man he thought he loved, Tommy and now maybe his home.

An accidental meeting between Dakota and Bryce leads to a one-night stand. Bryce realizes that he might be gay, or at least bi. Is this instalove, yes. Stretch believability, some. But it worked in this story. The journey to love between these two has all kinds of ups and down. And then there is the blending of their worlds and families.

Now a couple of reviews has questioned about what Bryce did in outing Dakota. That Dakota was being a hypocrite. It is an un-written rule that you never out anyone without their permission and even then, most wouldn’t do it. It’s a personal decision left to that person. That makes Dakota’s reaction is one I would have expected.

The characters are wonderfully written. Bryce is big and buff, yet comes across with just the right amount of vulnerability. Once he’s figured out he’s gay, he jumps in with both feet. But there is that small part of him that is worried what the hockey world with think. Dakota is at times both fragile and strong. He is fiercely protective of what he considers his. And yet he is still worried about being left behind. He won’t be a secret either.

My only downside to this story is there not enough hockey for me. Otherwise, I loved this and am looking forward to the next story in this series.

I received an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.


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