Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE: A Much Younger Man

AUTHOR: Z.A. Maxfield

SERIES: Men of St. Nacho’s #1

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 258 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 31, 2020

BLURB:

One man is older and not quite wiser. The other is young and steady. Can they ignore the critics and let their hearts decide?

Veterinarian Linden Davies gets on better with animals than men. After a lifetime of always putting work first, he’s resigned himself to one-night stands and shallow blind dates. But years of heartache evaporate when he offers a handsome young busker a free health check for his companion Labrador.

Christopher “Beck” Beckett vowed to care for his late friend’s loyal dog. After falling out with his parents and ending up on the streets playing music for tips, he longs for a warm embrace and a compassionate kiss. Linden is perfect, and he takes Beck under his wing, but his hangups over a relationship with someone half his age have Beck’s head spinning.

As Linden lets the sweet wayward guitarist into his world and gives him renewed purpose, he battles disapproval from his friends and family. And when Beck realizes the kindhearted vet could well be his true soulmate, he fears that their love is probably doomed.

Will this perfect match transcend the judgment of others?

REVIEW:

A Much Younger Man is the captivating love story of a non-traditional couple who prove the nay-sayers – and most importantly, Lindy himself – wrong. They can successfully have a lovely relationship that caters to both partners’ strengths and needs. The novel takes place in the fictional town of St. Ignacio, or St. Nacho’s as it’s colloquially called. It’s a charming locale along the California coast with an almost mystical pull to people drifting by. I’m delighted that Z.A. Maxfield is revisiting the setting of her successful four book series, St. Nacho’s. 

Twenty-year-old Beck is a drifter busking with his guitar, along with his faithful Labrador Retriever, Callie, and unfortunately, Tug, a boyfriend/friend/hanger-on/leech/manipulator/any or all of the above. It seems clear he has questionable motives, which increase the desire for Lindy and friends to rescue Beck from living rough on the beach. 

Lindy, eighteen years Beck’s senior, is a stubborn man set in his ways and happily single. He is absorbed in his work as a veterinarian with long hours and frequent travel. He’s not a people person, connecting more with four-footed friends. Lindy says no way, no how to relationships and takes his satisfaction in one night stands, best with out-of-towners he’ll never see again. He simply feels his life and work are, not conducive to long term success. 

When Beck and Lindy first catch each other’s eye, there’s a spark of connection immediately. Despite the nearly instant attraction, though, Lindy is hesitant to get involved because of the imbalance of power and Beck’s vulnerability. Lindy’s fears are reinforced by friends and coworkers’ concerns. 

But as a vet and volunteer animal rescuer, Lindy is hard-wired to rescue and care for homeless, needy, or otherwise imperiled creatures. In this case, he’s drawn to an enticing and stunning young human whom he can’t resist lending a helping hand to, particularly when Beck’s situation deteriorates. 

I dated mature men. I didn’t date anyone twice. I love my life the way it was, so why, oh why, could I not simply feed the stray young man and release him back into the wild. 

Stronger than his craving for Beck is Lindy’s need to do right by him. He cares what other people think of him, but largely because it reflects his own insecurities about whether his behavior is appropriate. I’ve never read an age-gap story where the older MC was as conflicted as Lindy. A good deal of on page space x.  is spent on this struggle, but I think it’s a realistic, not excessive, amount. 

Lindy is set in his ways, nearly two decade older, while Beck is a beautiful work in progress. Lindy needs to recognize that this plays to his strengths as a nurturer and caretaker: he can lend his life experience to Beck and gently help guide him to his full potential. Beck, for his part, asks Lindy to take care of him but unequivocally states that he wants to care for Lindy right back. Lindy has to listen to his heart, not his head, and when faced with losing Beck forever, he pulls through. 

I felt like the only person in the world who knew Beck’s value and cherished him. Obliquely, I understood what it meant to be that guy, and I desperately wanted to take on the responsibility. 

One of the strengths of A Much Younger Man is its supporting cast. There’s Lindy’s staff, and his parents – a meddling, matchmaking mom and a truly awesome dad. Callie, a pet bird, and a litter of kittens provide the cute factor. But most of all, there are Shawn and Cooper, one of my all-time favorite M/M couples, from St. Nacho’s, book one in the series of the same name. Shawn and Cooper have significant roles in the novel (yay!) since they are the ones to provide a room for Beck as he gets back on his feet.  

Lindy and Beck are an endearing couple; Beck, in particular, is precious, as is the love story which I recommend to anyone who enjoys May-December romances. And if you enjoyed Ms. Maxfield’s previous series set in St. Nacho’s, this is a must read. I look forward to book two in this series, A Flighty Fake Boyfriend, releasing on October 12, 2020 and featuring Epic, an amusing side character in this book. Until then, give this one a try. 

RATING: 

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