Reviewed by Stephen K.
TITLE: Rewriting History
SERIES: Podlington Village Romance #2
AUTHOR: Alex Jane
PUBLISHER: Independently Published
LENGTH: 214 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 15th 2021
BLURB:
A one-night stand showing up at your weekend away? It must be karma.
Professor Oliver Ballard is already reeling from the blow of missing out on a promotion. But when he checks into a country hotel to find that the guy he ghosted after a night of passion is not only staying down the hall but also stole his dream job, he can’t decide if fate loves him or hates him. Especially when his commitment to the single life starts to waver.
Craig Hofstader isn’t sure if it’s good luck, bad judgment, or jet lag that lands him at the feet, and in the bed, of his professional crush. He’s already doubting whether a relationship is worth the trouble – especially while juggling taking care of his son, navigating his professional obligations, and interpreting Oliver’s mixed signals.
With serendipity’s guiding hand – and a little help from the residents of Podlington – Oliver and Craig get a second chance to make a first impression in the ancient Somerset village where the magic of romance is all too real.
Welcome to Podlington! The fictional English village where magic happens and dreams come true.This LGBTQ+ Second Chance story is part of the Podlington Village Romance series and can be read as a standalone novel. Rewriting History features a chip-loving pub dog, a medieval manuscript, an overbearing secretary, and a guaranteed happy ending.
REVIEW:
Oliver Ballard has decided that he’s not cut out for relationships. His first involved a guy who he met as an undergrad in college and who he was gladly supporting while working on his post-graduate studies. Walking in on his “soul-mate” shagging an undergrad on the sofa that Ollie had bought and discovering that all of their shared friends had known all along had soured him on any relationships, even most friendships. He decided then and there that when he needed sex, he’d go out and get it, but it would be “one and done” with no repeat performances.
While that strategy has worked for Ollie for a number of years, his plan is abruptly put to nought when he arrives at the quaint country inn hosting this year’s academic conference. He discovers in short order that 1) he lost out on the promotion he’d been hoping for, 2) the trick from last night is staying at the same inn and is meeting his son and wife there, and 3) the man got the job he was hoping for and will soon be his boss.
But this is Podlington, and while Ollie thinks he’s done with love, perhaps, love isn’t done with him.
The set-up for this novel is well crafted and comes across as believable (at least by Podlington standards) Both guys are likable and the commotion set in motion in chapter one is soon on the path to mending. Seeing the concerns that both bring to this relationship makes us care for both of them. Besides, how do you resist the eager puppy qualities of precocious kid that wouldn’t mind seeing his daddy happier than he’s been alone?
There are moments when Ollie’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge his extraordinary luck in finding the right guy after having been disappointed so badly by Mr. Wrong does get wearing in spots. Perhaps I’m a hopeless romantic, but I just couldn’t believe Ollie’s reluctance to accept just how lucky he is in this tale. Yet, this is a romance novel. There is a guaranteed happy ending, even if we have to weather a storm or two along the way.
The Podlington Village romances do feature a sort of magical realism element that appeals. The “Sturm und Drang” is generally resolved quite easily, leaving plenty of time for sticky sweet romance and with so many beds about… Maybe the old style McDonalds fried apple pies were hotter, but we’re at least at chocolate lava cake hot here.
Just be sure to brush between reading these, and do try to get something with more literary nutritional value into your reading diet as well.
RATING: 
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