Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: The Third Date
SERIES: Starting Over #4
AUTHOR: Matthew J Metzger
PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing
LENGTH: 174 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2020
BLURB:
Their boyfriend is the only thing these two men have in common…
Gabriel’s accident means he needs constant supervision while he recovers, and Aled can’t just quit his job. So when Gabriel refuses to stay in hospital any longer, Aled resorts to emotional blackmail and recruits Gabriel’s long-distance boyfriend, Chris Wheeler, to come and set up shop in their home as an all-in-one nurse, housekeeper and general distraction from the slow progress of recovery.
But while Aled expected to have to get used to having Gabriel’s terminally shy boyfriend around the house, he didn’t expect the effect Chris has on Gabriel—and on Aled.
Is this just two couples under one roof, or is there something bigger waiting to be discovered?
REVIEW:
I didn’t realize this was part of a series until I got to the end and thought what an unsatisfying ending it was. I was then extremely happy to find the book is, indeed, part of a series and therefore the ending is not likely to be the end at all. Apart from that, I found nothing to be disappointed with.
The relationships are certainly not what most would consider the norm. Gabriel has three men in his life—two boyfriends, Chris and Kevin, and a husband, Aled. Each satisfies a different need. After a serious accident, Gabriel is incapacitated and needs taking care of. Aled is not able to do that, so enter Chris.
Gabriel is a bit of a brat, but given the circumstances I can forgive him that. He has a lot of issues, not just with his medical condition. There were times when I wanted to punch a nurse or doctor right on the nose, and I’m a pacifist. There is no excuse to behave as they did. Throughout the book Gabriel needs both Aled and Chris in different ways, and surprisingly Aled and Chris satisfy needs in each other, too.
The way that these three very different men are presented is extremely satisfying. Gabriel is a sweet transgender submissive who sometimes needs it dark, and sometimes light. Aled is hardcore sadist, while Chris is a health freak and gym rat, with an intimidating exterior but the softest heart. They shouldn’t work together, but they do.
I love how discrete the three characters are, and how their very different voices remain consistent and separate. There are a lot of things to remember and the author does it very well. I particularly liked the dialogue, which is natural and fluid. This is something that is particularly important to me and I truly appreciate it when the author gets it right.
All three characters undergo a fair bit of development during the book, and presumably the series. Of the three, I think it is Aled who travels the furthest and I was rooting for him. Gabriel has it rough, bless him, but he couldn’t have had better support. He is extremely fortunate to have two men who are so in tune with him they are always able to give him what he needs and not always what he wants.
Altogether, the book was extremely entertaining. It was a very different set-up than I’m used to, and I enjoyed learning about a new type of lifestyle. It was fascinating and rewarding, and the writing was fluid and excellently paced.
I hold my hands up and admit that I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I will be doing that because I’d like to see how this book fits it. It’s absolutely possible to enjoy it as a standalone, but there are places where I think having read the other books will help with getting into this one.
RATING: 
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