Reviewed by Chris
TITLE: By Quarry Lake
AUTHOR: Josephine Myles
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 12,000 words
RELEASE DATE: July 26, 2016
BLURB:
Still waters run deep…
Tommy’s been away from his home in rural Somerset for three years. Long enough to sort out who he is, and to get over the feelings of confusion and shame that blighted his lifelong friendship with farmer’s boy Rob. He’s out and proud, now—and he’s coming home to claim back what he lost.
Rob’s the one who stayed behind, working on the farm with little time for a social life. With Tommy coming back into his world, he could have a lot to gain—and everything to lose.
He’s going to have to take a leap of faith. Straight into the ice cold waters of Quarry Lake.
This story was originally published in 2013 as part of the Summer Lovin’ anthology.
REVIEW:
Before Tommy left home to go to university, he and Rob were the best of friends. But one kiss (and a whole lot of denial) changed that. Now, three years later, Tommy is back home in Somerset for good. And one of the first things he knows he is gonna have to confront in the mess he made of his and Rob’s friendship. Because he has changed a lot in the last three years. And despite his actions before he left, there has never been anyone for him like Rob was. If he can get the man to see him, Tommy intends to make that perfectly clear. As clear as the water in their secret quarry lake.
This was a pretty short story, but I did enjoy what I got. I think Myles did a great job of bringing these characters to life in such a short page span. As well as making me seriously wish I had a freaking secret lake to swim in! (It has been over 100 degrees for the last four days. To be honest, at this point I’d take a kiddie-pool full of lukewarm water.)
Tommy and Rob clearly have chemistry, and the underwater frolicking wasn’t half bad as well. It did feel a bit rushed though, at times, which I kinda expected with such a short story but it still made me wish for a longer build up between the coming back and the getting down.
Overall this was an enjoyable short story.
RATING: 
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