Once in a Lifetime

It was special to see Peter trying to fulfill the promise he made to his late father. While he's frustrated by thing that happen to him he still embraces the journey and remains open to the experience. Rangi is kind hearted and has a wonderful family. He feels the pull to Peter as well. So was this chance or fate? Either way I hope lots of good things are in the future of these two men.

As I began reading this short story inclusion in this year’s Advent Calendar by Dreamspinner Press, I was struck by the notion that I should have had my colleague read this one as I believe she might have gotten even more out of it than I did. I could appreciate the concept of making a promise to a loved one and then traveling halfway around the world to watch the passing of a comet that only can be seen from Earth every thirty-eight years. My friend, however, would have truly felt the significance of this in a way I probably didn’t.

I couldn’t imagine being in Peter’s shoes having just competed an exhausting thirty plus hour flight, a broken-down rental car, and now notice from the hotel that they’ve suffered a water main break and his reservation has been cancelled. Ugh. Luckily for him Rangi is the driver Peter’s ride-sharing app directed him to and once Rangi hears of Peter’s housing troubles, he invites Peter to come and stay the night at his family’s home and deal with getting a new hotel in the morning. Peter isn’t exactly sure why he says yes as he tends to be very logical and scientific about his decisions, but he might as well try and live a little while on vacation.

Rangi is Māori and had as much fun telling Peter about his culture and traditions as Peter had in learning them. Rangi works three jobs to help his family as his father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three years before so Rangi quit university and came home to help. Both men are attracted to each other immediately but Rangi has had too many friends get hurt by falling for a tourist who’s only going to be there for a few weeks. Luckily, it doesn’t take Rangi long to realize that he’ll regret it more if he wastes this opportunity to get to know Peter and the amazing chemistry they share.

“The comet was utterly magnificent. Atmospheric particles reflected a brilliantly white corona around the nucleus, and blue and green residual gases trailed behind in a long tail, gracefully delicate like a late-winter icicle. It was gliding through the endless darkness of space, greeting the Earth on its decades-long trip around the solar system, so comforting in its reliability; no matter what happened, no matter how things changed, 38P would be back.”

An extremely sweet and very loving short story that reminded me to never take things for granted and to never, ever stop taking chances.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

Review by Toni of Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter: https://bit.ly/2Es3neY

'Once in a Lifetime' by Cassie Decker is such a sweet story – full of kindness and generosity.

Rangi has always put his family first, it’s the Maori way (an Eastern Polynesian people), and Rangi wouldn’t feel right if he wasn’t helping out. So working multiple jobs is no hardship as he enjoys meeting new people, including the tourists he often picks up in his rideshare job.

Peter is finally living out he and his father’s lifetime dream: visiting New Zealand to see the comet that last arrived the day he was born. He’s waited his whole life for this moment but when everything seems to be going wrong on his journey, he finds himself needing to rely on the kindness of strangers.

There is an epic sense of fortuitous destiny when Rangi and Peter meet and I got caught up in the vulnerability of the characters. Both men cautious but open, genuine and kind. I especially love the sweet situation of Peter climbing into the wrong bed and how gracious Rangi is when it’s discovered!

I so wanted this beautiful tale full of serendipity and honesty to continue. 'Once in a Lifetime' by Cassie Decker is the sweetest Christmas story I’ve read this season and I’m sure you’ll love it too.