Reviewed by Tori (Vicki)

TITLE: The Little Library 

AUTHOR: Kim Fielding

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 290 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 26th, 2018

BLURB: 

Elliott Thompson was once a historian with a promising academic future, but his involvement in a scandal meant a lost job, public shame, and a ruined love life. He took shelter in his rural California hometown, where he teaches online classes, hoards books, and despairs of his future.

Simon Odisho has lost a job as well—to a bullet that sidelined his career in law enforcement. While his shattered knee recovers, he rethinks his job prospects and searches for the courage to come out to his close-knit but conservative extended family.

In an attempt to manage his overflowing book collection, Elliott builds a miniature neighborhood library in his front yard. The project puts him in touch with his neighbors—for better and worse—and introduces him to handsome, charming Simon. While romance blooms quickly between them, Elliott’s not willing to live in the closet, and his best career prospects might take him far away. His books have plenty to tell him about history, but they give him no clues about a future with Simon.

REVIEW:

What an awesome book! So the funny part is, I live in Washington, and Elliot moves from Washington to Modesto California. Which is where my husband was visiting while I read this book! And to make it even better, he stopped at Candy Heaven in Old Sacramento, and I am looking at chocolate and a t-shirt he brought me! (Elliott and Simon visit Candy Heaven!)

Elliott has returned home from Washington to Modesto, after running in to some serious drama with an ex-lover, who was doing some naughty things and ends up in prison. Elliott was guilty only of making the bad decision of trying to have a relationship with an asshole, but he is caught up in the aftermath. He’s bought a little house in a nice neighborhood and settled in for the time being. His brother and sister-in-law are nearby, so he’s happy to spend some time with them. But he’s wanting a job as a history professor and isn’t able to find one since every time a prospective employer finds out why he left his last job, they aren’t interested in hiring him. At the moment he’s teaching online classes to lackluster students… Elliott’s big passion/obsession is books. He decides the way to share his books is to build a little library box in his front yard. His other passion is running. While out running one day he sees a big hot man limping down the road…

Simon has his own issues. He is recovering from an injury acquired on the job as a cop, and is not sure what to do with his life after his knee is fully healed. He’s gay but hasn’t come out to his Assyrian family, assuming they won’t take it well, due to their conservative beliefs. He’s kind of stuck in limbo… but is happy to start flirting with the little library guy a couple of blocks away from his home!

The two begin to date, starting with a nearly disastrous dinner, where Simon stress-eats everything, and Elliott spills water all over himself, and nearly takes a woman out his bread. Oh, and they shock the hell out of the waiter! This leads to a couple of dates out of town, one of which is to Old Sacramento with a stop at Candy Heaven! (ugh, I’m going to have a stomach ache from all of the chocolate from there….) Simon and Elliott get to know one another, and we see their struggles. Simon is still pretty much in the closet, and Elliott isn’t willing to hang out in there for long. Elliott isn’t happy with his job, and is still searching for another, which would have him moving away, which Simon isn’t willing to do. So yah… there are problems in this relationship! And you’ll have to read the book to see how it resolves.

I am a fan of Kim Fielding, I don’t think there’s a book she’s written that I haven’t loved. With this book, it seems like it’s going to be a light plot, about a guy with a bunch of books and a little library for them out front, but there is so much more going on. The drama between Simon and Elliott, Elliott’s homophobic neighbor, Simon’s family including a young pregnant cousin, and Simon’s injury. It all adds up to a deep plot, with lots going on. I had several favorite parts, including the introduction of a wonderful dog named Ishtar! Between Simon, Ishtar, Elliott’s brother, and some neighborhood love, Elliott opens up and blossoms. With the attention of Elliott and Ishtar, Simon opens up and blossoms right along with Elliott! I loved how slowly their physical relationship develops, and how accepting Elliott is of Simon’s physical issues. I loved the differences between their family situations, their backgrounds, their life experiences, yet they fit together so well. I loved that I was emotionally involved with these characters, I actually teared up a couple of times, once in sadness, once in happiness. Oh, and the ending? Freaking perfect. Saw it coming a mile away, but I still loved it when it happened!

I feel like I am rambling at this point, maybe I’m high on chocolate! Basically Kim is a fantastic author, and I loved this book! Give it a try!

RATING: 

BUY LINK:

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