Pre-release Review: Second Helpings by Charlie Cochrane

Second Helpings

by Charlie Cochrane

The Blurb…

Stuart Collins’s life might as well have ended a year ago when his partner died in a car crash. Even Stuart’s widowed father has found new love with an old friend, Isabel Franklin, so why can’t Stuart be bothered to try?

Then he gets a phone call from Isabel’s son, Paul, who wants to check out whether or not Mr. Collins is good enough for his mother. During dinner together, though, they end up checking out each other. Trouble is, Paul’s got a boyfriend—or maybe he doesn’t, since the boyfriend’s supposedly giving Paul the push by ignoring him. Or maybe Paul just wants to have his cake and eat it too.

Honesty with each other is the only way to move forward. But maybe honesty with themselves is what they really need.

So what did I think?

It was a true pleasure to read this, though that wasn’t my impression reading the first few lines in the book. It starts out trying a little too hard with too much flowery language that feels inauthentic. This soon changes though and what follows is wonderful.

You really feel like you know Stuart and Paul. There is a nice slow build up that really lets you get to know the characters, who they are and what their motivations are. when you do get to the sex scenes, it’s so much more than just sex at that point. It’s meaningful, sweet and real.

My only complaint and why I gave it 4.5 stars, not 5, was because the story could have used a little more intimacy between the two characters and a bit more detail in the scenes that are there. There is a depth and honesty to this story that sucks you in, making you want more. I know that I definitely want more. More of Stuart and Paul and more of this author.

I recommend this book to anyone wanting something on the sweet side.

4.5 stars!

Jessica

Reviewed by Jessica

❅❅❅❅❅❅❅

To find out more about Charlie Cochrane visit the website.