Sometimes to find love, you must first learn forgiveness.
A dozen years, two thousand miles, and a law degree after high school, Rafi Steiner continues to harbor resentment toward Isaac Jones, his childhood bully turned NBA star. When Isaac appears at Rafi's favorite restaurant acting like a long-lost friend, Rafi bluntly dismisses him.
But Isaac is tenacious and he has his heart set on the grown-up version of the boy he always wanted and never forgot. The way Isaac sees it, he and Rafi are perfect for each other, if only he could sink the most important shot of his life: his one shot at forgiveness.
I hated him. Unequivocally, absolutely, and in every way possible. He was responsible for making my teen years a living hell—if not single-handedly, then at the very least, he held the starring role. Or, in terms he would have understood, he was the quarterback, the pitcher, the forward, the…fuck it, he led the “hey, faggot, nice hair” brigade. Not that it was always about my hair. Sometimes it was my clothes. Other times it was the way I walked or the way I talked. I lived in anticipation of the day he’d come up with some way to taunt me for breathing. Ass. Hole.
So you can imagine how thrilled I was when he walked in the door of my favorite restaurant, two thousand miles away from where we grew up, and had the nerve not only to recognize me, but to not pretend like he didn’t. I mean, who…
I love the way Cardeno C spins a tale. Even a short story like this one was so beautifully told.
It was cute, it was funny and it was sexy.
I really enjoyed this story. The descriptions and scenes had me laughing unexpectedly in places. Rafi is a character that I would love a full-length novel about, he was great. Isaac is brilliant, too, just in a much different way. They were perfect characters together making this a very good story. I loved seeing Isaac remind Rafi of the times that he helped Rafi, of the revelation that Isaac's behavior hid his real feelings and that Isaac tried so hard to please Rafi. I absolutely loved that Rafi didn't fall at Isaac's feet because he was rich and famous, that he didn't want anything to do with Isaac, and, although he wanted to hold a grudge he still gave Isaac a chance. I recommend this to those who want a great short read, giggles and laughs, great characters, hot sex, brilliant descriptions and a great forgiveness story.
I enjoyed this little novella primarily because of Isaac's sweet and tenacious desire for Rafi. The beginning made me smile as Rafi shares with readers why he disliked Isaac but also how he can't resist Isaac, either sexually or emotionally. The romance is quick moving as this is a novella but it still seemed a complete romance. I liked these characters so well that I would like another story featuring the gentle giant Isaac and the quirky Rafi in their simple, heartfelt romance