Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Paradise Lodge

AUTHOR: Riina Y.T.

PUBLISHER: NineStar Press

LENGTH: 26k

RELEASE DATE: December 3, 2018

BLURB:

Azariah Bell is a nervous wreck. He isn’t prepared to spend the final week of the year with his best friend, Ky O’Sullivan, lead vocalist for their pop rock band, Moving Insignia—especially after the fight he caused before they parted ways two weeks ago.

Afraid of not being taken seriously by Ky, Azariah was concerned about what confessing his feelings would do to their friendship, or the band. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but instead, he exploded in anger over some petty issue, and now he’s potentially lost Ky forever.

Ky is looking forward to the band’s annual writing retreat for a week of songwriting and recording at a secluded mountain resort. Spending Christmas with his family gave Ky time to reflect on how he’d handled Azariah’s epic meltdown. It wasn’t good, and Ky is determined to uncover the true nature of Azariah’s unusual behavior. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, or so he believed.

Expecting to see the rest of the band when they arrive by helicopter, Ky and Azariah are shocked to learn they are alone at a deserted lodge. When they discover they’ve been set up by their bandmates so they can “sort it out,” their choices are few. But it’s critical for them to resolve their problems if they have any hope of enjoying the new year together, let alone make that new album happen.

REVIEW:

Since they met Ky and Azariah had an instant connection. Instead of anything romantic, they became best friends. With no idea what the other felt, recent months have seen Azariah’s emotions get the better of him. As the blurb says, the guys are in a band, and it is their bandmates that decide enough is enough. They buy out the cabins at Paradise Lodge and leave the boys with only a note stating the facts as they see them. The lads even prevent any internet connection.

Told in the first person with chapters named with a specific pov, this is a sweet short tale that made the most of the spark that created the story and its parameters.

Ky is bi, and based on the guys dating history, maintains he didn’t know Azariah was gay. Yet, at the airport, Azariah is the one who has a bright pink backpack and matching suitcase. I know I’m stereotyping the guy, but let’s face it – such luggage is unusual for a straight man regardless of how artistic they are or sure of their sexuality. I think a little deniability is at play here.

Anyhow, with the facts laid before them, courtesy of their bandmates, Ky and Azariah understandably feel awkward confessing said attraction. What follows are some adorable flashbacks to elements of their friendship. These I really liked. They were fun and insightful to read.

As this story is aimed at the Christmas market, there aren’t any surprises as to content, sexual hotness and the eventual outcome. The joy in these yuletide tales is the journey that gets the boys to that star on top of the tree. In the case of Ky and Azariah it is fraught with self-doubt, blindness to what is obvious to everyone else, and fear of taking that leap from friends to lovers. There are slices of heaven followed by reality checks and ‘is it possible to have the dream’?

Regardless of the characters fondness for the word ‘Gods’ and the infamous nervously bitten lip, I enjoyed this tussle with Christmas tinsel. It is simple and uncomplicated (at least for the reader), and a sweet way to unwind from that afternoon of retail therapy.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

NineStar Press

Amazon