Reviewed by Susan
TITLE: The Imperfection Of Swans
AUTHOR: Brandon Witt
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 284 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 18, 2016
BLURB:
Kevin Bivanti’s dream is to open a wedding dress shop, a place with the stunning gowns to make every bride-to-be feel adored. At thirty-eight, he quits a successful advertising career to buy an old brownstone in a trendy Boston neighborhood and to make his dream a reality. When one of his cosigners drops out, fate intervenes, ushering in Casper James, who hopes to open his own bakery. With Casper willing to take the risk, their ambitions meld into a wedding dress and wedding cake boutique.
Extensive renovations to the brownstone, an affair with his ex-husband, family drama with his mothers, and the anxiety of significant life changes push Kevin to the brink of a nervous breakdown. In the midst of stress and uncertainty, Casper becomes more than a business partner, a mutual attraction that adds another layer of intensity and risk.
With their dreams on the verge of reality, Kevin and Casper must find the courage to face the stress of managing their attraction, the gamble of a new business venture, and the resurgence of Kevin’s personal demons
REVIEW:
I went into this book with excitement, I loved the premise of the dual wedding specialty shop and was looking forward to reading about it the mechanics of Kevin and Caspar’s dreams coming to fruition. The story does not disappoint in the slightest. Finding the brownstone and purchasing it leads to all the fun of watching it rise from the ashes of the mess it was to something shining and bright and new.
Something similar happens to Kevin and Caspar.
Kevin has major demons that are never far away from his conscious and subconscious mind. They rule his everyday life. But he is written in such a heartfelt and fluid way that I was taken along with him on his journey to somehow co-exist with those demons. Not once did I become frustrated with him because through his thoughts and words I understood his battles. His excitement at this new venture, his amazement at the whirlwind that is Casper and his angst and self loathing over his own personal battles.
Casper is the ray of sunshine to Kevin’s darkness. He sees Kevin so much more clearly than Kevin sees himself. Casper’s enthusiasm at finally having the chance to make his own dream come true. His knowledge that Kevin is the right person to share all his dreams with and his acceptance of Kevin just the way he is make you love him more and more. Casper is just what Kevin needs to help him learn that he is worth loving.
The cast of supporting characters are just as impressive. Kevin’s Moms are fascinating. They are such opposites, but you can clearly see how they work as a couple and their love for Kevin shines through. Even though you can see how his large boisterous family have inadvertently added to his demons. Kevin’s ex Scott gives us the villain of the story.
Kevin’s journey is such an important story to tell. Of how someone’s perceptions of their own self worth can be so far away from how others see them. And that it is not just females who struggle with these issues every day. Men do as well. I also loved the fact that there was no quick fix for Kevin’s issues. He is going to struggle and have setbacks. But at the end he knows that he has people who love him and will be there for him always.
This is such a beautifully written book. I really feel it is going to be there at the end of the year as one of the best releases of 2016.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Lovely review, Susan. The premise of the book made me think it was going to be too easy, too sweet, but your review shows there is a lot more here. Cool 🙂
Susan,
Thank you so very, very much! I’m thrilled you connected to the book and the characters. Thank you for your kind words!