Strays and Lovers

I love the feeling that wasn't rushed and that these men took their time. It was great to see how each one brought out the best in the other. The ending was so beautiful.

I have often thought that if I won, or inherited, a substantial amount of money I would set up a refuge for unwanted and unloved animals. I can’t say that I’m always thrilled with my fellow homo sapiens but I’m pretty enthusiastic about the animal kingdom, to say the least. This author has brought me many enjoyable novels and the blurb drew me right in, so I was looking forward to reading about Eddie, Gray and all of the strays.

Eddie opened the Desert Sky Pet Refuge after his aunt left him her home, property, and a healthy sum of money a few years ago. He loves the strays that he cares for, although only seven have become permanent fixtures in his home, doing his best to get them the medical care, love, and understanding that so many of them need. Eddie works hard at finding forever homes for his animals and he’s proud of the work he does. Even though he has managed to keep the refuge in the black, most of his inheritance has gone to all of the outstanding expenses animals can accrue (and they can be a lot!). Lately, though, Eddie has been feeling the loneliness and quiet of his home more than ever. He lives a number of miles outside the very small town of Spangle and he has few neighbors, much less anyone he’s very close to.

I am familiar with this author’s way of making the blurb sound very cut and dry but once I get going into the story, it is anything but, and the characters are more complex than I had expected. Personally, I love this, and it is Gray in a nutshell. He’s in his midtwenties and definitely has a past with some darkness in it leaving him to not always be open or welcoming, and in fact, acting more like a dick – his words, not mine. I can almost see him wanting the love that Eddie is offering but drawing back because he’s so afraid of it. Gray has been hurt and he most certainly doesn’t trust in much of anything, or anyone, anymore.

“I’m not used to people being nice to me, Eddie. I’m not used to some of the things I’m feeling either.”

A warm and wonderful story made even better due to all the animal glimpses interspersed throughout. This story, even with its surprising depth, didn’t have as much angst as I was anticipating. Part of me liked that but the other part hated it. I am truly an angst lover. *sigh* However, the slow, sweet, and very gentle love story that grew between Eddie and Gray was beautiful to watch, and had me smiling more than once.

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

Strays and Lovers is a good May to December romance by John Inman. It just so happens to include a whole lot of animals too.

Eddie, who's closer to 50 than to 40, runs an animal refugee. Gray meanwhile, is 20 years his junior, but he certainly helps Eddie to feel less lonely.

When they first meet, Eddie can easily see the sadness in Gray. He's ashamed and embarrassed by his past, full of pain and fear. He's definitely a survivor, he just doesn't realize this.

Eddie and Gray are two men who are definitely better off together than alone. Each man fills a hole in the other's life and heart.

I found the story to start off with a slow start. But, soon the pace and the story picked up. It is most definitely a relationship-driven story.

Strays and Lovers has an ending that's super sweet, and you can just feel the love jumping off the pages.

Strays and Lovers

Eddie is in his late forties. He is surrounded by his pets and refuge animals. He stays busy, but is getting lonely for human company.
Gray has a lot of secrets and is very standoffish. He too is lonely but has trust issues. Meeting Eddie and his animals makes him want more but breaking out of his shell is hard.
I loved both Eddie and Gray. I especially loved Eddie. I relate to older characters and pet lovers are a plus.
The storyline is good, and the animals are like characters in their own right.
Strays and Lovers is a cute book, unique job, and makes an enjoyable read.
If you like large age gaps, animals, sweet romance, and some hot man-sex with a very sweet end this is for you.

✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
Cover caught my eye. A man stands cuddling a fluffy pup, aww! There’s another man in the near background, posed in a standoffish manner. Synopsis interested me.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person

Eddie’s in his mid-forties and resigned to live alone a handful of miles outside a tiny desert down and running his Pet Refuge. Gray is new in town. Mid-twenties and carrying a ton of guilt and baggage, he’s desperate to keep his head down and determined to keep to himself. Too bad Eddie is not a “leave it be” kind of guy. Add to it a meddlesome boss’s wife and Gray’s been basically ordered to make an appearance at the refuge to help Eddie.
When an injury occurs, both men must work together or face losing it all.
This was more animal magnetism and raw chemistry than romance. Add in a few quirky moments and enough awkward attempts at humor and you have an entertaining read but it lacks the depth and dynamics I was hoping for.
A few conflicts were presented with minimal effort and simplified resolve. Conclusion has an implied HEA but nothing truly concrete-solid.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.05 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐