Reviewed by Sammy
TITLE: Coming Out on the Mountain
SERIES: The Mountains series
AUTHOR: P. D. Singer
PUBLISHER: Rocky Ridge Books
LENGTH: 121 Pgs.
RELEASE DATE: November 12, 2020
BLURB:
Jake Landon has survived forest fires, skied for his life from an avalanche, and survived an arrow through the shoulder. Nevertheless, his lover, Kurt Carlson thinks it’s time to come out of the closet and be partners openly. Just the thought of facing his family and the possible rejection terrifies Jake more than all his other perils combined.
Kurt tells him, “You’re trying to hang on to three things: your future, your fear, and me. You can have any two of the three. Choose wisely.”
Jake knows what he wants. Getting there is the problem.
Now he faces his biggest challenge yet, bringing Kurt home for a family Thanksgiving, and coming out to his nearest and dearest.
But someone else may have already paved the way.
REVIEW:
Jake knew danger intimately but he never felt so anxious or fearful as he did traveling home for Thanksgiving. He is about to come out to his family—his very large family and with his boyfriend, Kurt, in tow, he is very worried that the home he once knew may not be as welcoming after the announcement. His mom already has guessed it—having met Kurt after the accident that left Jake with an arrow in his shoulder, but she told him he would have to make the announcement to everyone else, starting with his dad and sister, Shari. With Kurt, his rock and love, by his side, Jake ventures home to spill his guts and is shocked to discover another family member has a huge secret of their own—one that everyone seems to already know about.
While this novella, Coming Out on the Mountain, features a couple from another series by P. D. Singer I had no problem following the story. I will tell you, however, that I am going to go scoop up the other books about Jake and Kurt simply because I like them so much as a couple and want to learn more about their backstory. However, author P. D Singer weaves this tale in such a way that she gives just enough information surrounding the memories that Jake has about his and Kurt’s relationship to make it very easy to get absorbed in the novella and follow all the action.
This is a coming out moment for Jake—a scary one–for he fears his family will not accept him after he reveals he is gay. This holiday story centering around Thanksgiving is complete with copious amounts of food and relatives and the perfect setting for Jake to reveal all. I so enjoyed the family dynamics here. There is every kind of attitude present from right wing religious fanatics to a formerly goth loving sister. To be honest it felt like a real life family and that is what made the story so lovely. I won’t spoil anything by giving away how everyone reacted to Jake’s announcement but I will tell you that his time with Gramps is so well written and eye opening. The scene proves that no matter how broad-minded we think we are we can be very judgmental and the way this story is flipped on its head is brilliant, in my opinion.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the passing of P. D Singer and loss to our m/m community as a result. But thankfully her stories live on for future readers to enjoy—myself included. I intend to check out this author’s work for if Coming Out on the Mountain is any indication of the excellence of Singer’s storytelling then there are more riches to explore.
RATING: 
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