Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: An Everyday Hero

SERIES: Warmest Wishes – 2018 Advent Calendar

AUTHOR: E. J. Russell

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 54 pages

RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2018

BLURB:

A Story from the Warmest Wishes: Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar

When Adam Tyler’s sister announced she was pregnant, Adam decided to move from Portland, Oregon, to Phoenix, Arizona, to fully embrace the uncle experience. However, he didn’t count on the move being delayed until three days before Christmas—and three days before his sister’s due date. And he definitely didn’t count on finding a scorpion in his bedroom. Cue the panicked calls to exterminators.

Garrett Strong doesn’t consider himself at all remarkable—his ex certainly didn’t think so—and Garrett’s pest-control business is circling the drain. Although Adam is his first new client in months, that isn’t the only reason Garrett goes above and beyond for him. He feels a real connection to the younger man and intends to do everything in his power to make sure Adam feels safe and welcome in Phoenix—venomous intruders notwithstanding.

REVIEW:

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this little story!

Adam Tyler, a self proclaimed nerd and website designer, has just moved to Arizona to be closer to his sister, who is ready to give birth to his new niece. What Adam never took into account with the move, from Portland, Oregon, was it wasn’t just going to be much warmer but that the desert would bring in a whole new group of creepy/crawly things that were poisonous!! And they would crawl right into his new master suite! While standing in his new pool, to avoid a scorpion in his bedroom, he finally gets hold of one pest control guy that can come rescue him from the “mini velociraptors” today. But how ancient is this guy? He only advertises in the “Yellow Pages? WTF? How old was this guy? Sixty-three? His business wasn’t just slow—it was probably comatose.” Just imagine his surprise when the “old guy” he thought was coming turns out to be Garrett the Strong, gorgeous and his own personal superhero! Garrett Strong can’t believe his luck. Not only does he get a new client but the dark skinned beauty is eyeing him too! But how can a out-of-practice, premature balding guy hold on to the slick young hipster that is way out of his league?

These guys were the perfect match. The younger Adam has the ability bring Garrett back to the younger man he should instead of the discarded, downbeat man he has become. His ex did a real number on him. And I loved that Garrett saw how amazing young Adam is. He saw the smart, cute hipster instead of the geek Adam saw in himself. They both saw “the catch” the other man was.

Although he was just doing his job, Adam and I both saw our hero in Garrett. My son and his family moved to the Phoenix area this summer and scorpions and rattlesnakes were one of my biggest concerns for their safety. Although our grandkids were 8 & 11, I drilled into their heads before they left the dangers that were lurking in the shadows. This book brought back all those well justified concerns and, unfortunately for my grandkids, I was on the phone immediately reiterating my fears. I just got an “oh Grandma, you worry too much!” response from them. But you can be rest assured I will be on full lookout for the vile creatures when I get to visit!

This turned out to be more than I expected with a book this short. And though I love a definite HEA and am sure I have the start to it here. This was a fun little book that made me laugh and smile.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon