Reviewed by Vicki
TITLE: David, Renewed 
AUTHOR: Diana Copland
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 244 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 21st, 2016
BLURB:
When interior designer David Snyder buys a beautiful century-old house in eastern Washington, he is reeling with heartbreak and looking for somewhere to put down roots. Unfortunately his new home comes with a laundry list of problems: electrical, plumbing, heating… things David knows nothing about. When his mother offers him the business card of a local handyman, David pictures an overweight, balding man in his fifties. But Jackson Henry couldn’t be further from that stereotype.
Dark-haired, muscular, and handsome, Jackson left a large construction firm in Seattle to take care of his sick mother. However, his hometown still has an active “good old boy” network, and finding employment in construction is almost impossible for an openly gay man. Determined to persevere, Jackson takes odd jobs as a handyman. He’s exactly what David needs—in more ways than one.
David isn’t ready for his attraction to Jackson, not considering the way his last relationship ended. But as the two men get to know each other, it becomes clear that the heart often knows best, and it rewards those willing to listen. (
REVIEW:
Wow! That was what I needed to read!
David is having a rough time…. He’s recently ended his relationship with his long-term boyfriend after coming home to find him getting a blow job on his couch. He needs a new home, so buys a gorgeous old house in the neighborhood he grew up in. Unfortunately he makes a horrible mistake and doesn’t get an inspection. Surprise, the house is falling apart! But the one good thing going on is the handyman he hires. Jackson is exactly what David needs, on so many levels. First as a handyman/contractor, then as a friend, then as a lover. With Jackson’s help, the ratty old house turns in to a beautiful home. Jackson also brings friends in to David’s life, introducing him to a group of gay men, all in the construction industry, that David as a designer appreciates on a professional level, but also fits in with quite well. But the big thing Jackson brings to David is confidence. David has spent the last five years with an emotionally abusive asshole, and it takes a man like Jackson to build him back up.
Jackson has his own set of issues. He’s recently moved home to care for his sick mother, his brother is an asshole, and his sister is useless. He’s always been close to his mom, so he’s the natural one to care for her. He’s also trying to start a business, which is a struggle for a gay man in a conservative town and industry. As we learn later, he’s got some emotional baggage as well. He is such a caregiver, and ends up getting exactly what he needs with David. Not only a beautiful house to work on, but a lovely man that needs some serious attention and love.
I loved this book so much! It’s just a gentle, beautiful story of two people falling slowly in love. It unfolds at just the right speed, there is just the right amount of drama, the sex happened at just the right time, and the additional characters were just what the story needed. I loved David and Jackson as individual characters, both have strength when needed, but also vulnerability. Both have a hard time trusting the other emotionally, but they so want to. I loved that both are so close to their mothers, and the mothers are good friends. I loved the dogs that are part of this story! I loved the side characters and hope we get to see them again! I see some romance in the future for a few of those friends…
Diana Copland is a new to me author, I’ve been Facebook friends with her for a while, and we are fellow Washingtonians, but I haven’t had a chance to read one of her books. This one blew me away! It was so well written, the story was not particularly complex, but it didn’t need to be. Good writing can make even a simple story amazing. That’s what has happened here. This is just the story of two men falling in love. but it was enhanced by the bits of drama with David’s ex-boyfriend, with Jackson’s sick mother, with the family drama, with the new set of friends, all of those things added to make a fantastic story. I loved the details about David’s home, and the area they live in. That is what makes a story believable for me, those little details mean so much.
The relationships Diana created are perfect. Obviously the bond that grows between David and Jackson, but also the relationship between the men and their mothers. Then the new men that Jackson brings in. Gil, Vernon, Manny, they each bring a story and a friendship grows between all of them as a group. Michael, David’s awesome assistant/best friend was perfect too. I loved him and hope he gets his own man soon! Even David’s neighbor and her dog popping in and out worked.
What I loved most about this book was the feeling it left with me…. I was happy and satisfied when I was finished with it. I didn’t miss anything, wish anything was different. It was the perfect length, I didn’t want more or less. The sex scenes were emotional and hot, not too many, not too few. The extra characters added to the story, but didn’t distract from David and Jackson. I finished this book with a smile on my face and a big “Awwww…..”
I highly recommend reading David, Renewed if you are looking for a lovely story of men finding love and friendship!
RATING:
BUY LINKS:
[…] David, Renewed by Diana Copland […]