Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  They Met at the Library

SERIES:  Meet Cute Chronicles

AUTHOR:  Nell Iris

PUBLISHER:  JMS Books

LENGTH:  65 pages

RELEASE DATE:  January 16, 2021

BLURB:

Adrian, book-lover extraordinaire, adores his job at the small community library. He gets to share his passion with other people and help them with all book-related questions and issues. When a big, hulking man walks into the library, looking terrified, Adrian’s skills are tested in a completely different way.

Manne’s relationship with books is uneasy, to say the least. He’s dyslexic and events in his past have made him fearful of books and turned libraries into his worst nightmare. But when the quirky, bowtie-wearing librarian steps in to help, the experience turns positive.

Their banter is easy and their chemistry instant. But can an accidental meeting turn into something more? Can someone who has trouble reading ever fit into the life of a man whose passion is the written word?

REVIEW:

Adrian is the library at his small neighborhood library and he loves his job.  He loves helping people find things, recommend good reads and find many lovely books for himself.  But one day, a guy comes into the library, and it’s obvious that something is going on with him.  He seem overcome with fear.  Adrian’s not even sure he’s breathing!  But through a little humor and good sense, he help the guy relax.

Manne has had a lifelong antipathy for books.  He’s dyslexic and he’s got a bit of PTSD with books and given his history a library is about the last place he wants to be.  But he meets the gorgeous librarian who vows to help him, and he thinks he might be able to do this.

Adrian continues to wonder about Manne and if he’ll come back to the library.  But when he serendipitously meets him again, it’s clear that there is something more between them.  Are they brave enough to reach out for more?

Well in my book, Nell Iris is the queen of the short story/novella.  This is another beautiful example of her ability to present a believable and emotionally satisfying love connection and story in a short form.  Since the story is told from Adrian’s POV, we get his perspective throughout.  But we also get a real sense of Manne as well – not just from his words, but also from the excellently rendered supporting characters of his niece and sister.  We understand his confidence issues – both around his reading issues and his family dynamics.  From Adrian’s side, we also get to know his family dynamic and his relationships with his parents and sisters.  I also loved seeing Adrian at work at the library – loving his job 🙂  Finally the best part of this story is watching these two men act on their attraction and try to build something real.  Brilliantly done.  Highly recommended – especially for fans of the shorter form story but really for anyone who enjoys a good love story 😀

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

JMS Books

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