Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Lost Along The Way
AUTHOR: Marie Sexton
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 128 pages
BLURB:
Three months after losing his parents in a car crash, Denver weatherman Daniel Whitaker returns to Laramie, Wyoming. It’s bad enough dealing with the death of his parents and his failing relationship of fifteen years, but when he finds his childhood home full of clutter, Daniel is at a loss. He enlists Landon, his parents’ sexy neighbor, to help him sort through the mess. Landon Kushner is a study in contradictions. He builds wind sculptures out of scrap metal and loves the outdoors, but he also rides a mint-green Vespa and has an affinity for knitting and fortune-telling. He’s been friends with Daniel’s parents for years, and he’s more than willing to lend a hand.
Their plan is simple: clean the house so Daniel can sell it and get back to his life in Denver. But when a strange cookbook comes into Landon’s possession, Daniel begins to realize that the universe – and Granny B – may have other plans.
REVIEW:
There were things I really loved about this story and things I disliked. I thought it was very apparent from the onset where this story was going. It was frustrating to see that Daniel sort of put up blockers where the obvious was concerned. It’s hard to imagine spending 15 years with someone, building a life with them and then it ending. The story was heartbreaking in that aspect.
Daniel Whitaker seems relatively happy. He has a great job as a meteorologist and in a seemingly good relationship. All of that changes when he awaken in the middle of the night with a phone call no one wants to receive. After years of estrangement due to his sexuality he learns his parents have died in a car accident. Knowing their relationship was on the mend, Daniel is understandably devastated. He puts off taking care of their house and belongings for awhile. With his parent’s deaths in the forefront of his mind, he’s starting to realize other things in his life aren’t so great.
Landon Kushner is the person who called up Daniel Whitaker and broke the devastating news. Having lived next to the Whitaker’s for years he’s incredibly close to the elderly couple. While he’s forming a strong bond with the Whitakers he’s also developing feelings for their son which he hadn’t planned on. So, when he finally meets Daniel, he starts falling and falling hard.
When Daniel finally goes to his parents home to take care of their affairs he’s not prepared for Landon. He’s an incredible force that effortlessly helps him heal his heart. All the while he’s still dealing with the issues involving his partner, Chase, of 15 years.
Like I said there were some obvious things going on from the get go but this story was enjoyable. I really like Daniel and Landon together. I really liked the integration of the cookbook and the recipes in this story. I loved how the author used them to enhance the story. Very clever.
I honestly have no idea where this whole story would have gone without Landon. Landon is the epitome of the perfect love interest, in my opinion. He’s masculine, without being macho, sensitive without being crazy emotional, just a perfect balance of everything. Great character!!
This was an enjoyable read!! Great addition to the anthology!
RATING: 
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