Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Muscle Cub

SERIES: A Bear Camp Novel

AUTHOR: Slade James

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 303 pages

RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2023

BLURB:

He’s a little too young and way too hot for me.

Austin Fox is a twentysomething beefcake living his best life working at a clothing-optional campground. He’s the reigning Best Cub of Bear Mountain Lodge. With a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile, he radiates body positivity and self-esteem.

He could have anyone he wants.

I’m a forty-two-year-old, once-celebrated author with a bad case of writer’s block, a dad bod, and “performance anxiety” in bed.

He picks me.

On paper, he’s offering me exactly what I came here for — a weekend of no-strings fun to reboot, “get my groove back,” and find my muse before summer ends.

But there’s more to Austin’s story than his title and appearance. He’s empathetic, wise beyond his years, and he challenges me to see myself in a new light. Despite our age difference, we’re in the same place, hoping to find a renewed sense of purpose.

If we choose to let go of the stories that no longer serve us, we can write our next chapter together.

Muscle Cub is an age gap, surly/sunshine gay romance that starts with a one-night stand and turns into a deeper reflection on identity and self-image. It’s the second full-length book in the Bear Camp series, featuring cringe-inducing karaoke, a makeover, and a man-pageant. It can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW:

I have been waiting quite awhile for this book and it was sooooo worth the wait!

Paul Carter’s friends Eric and Ben finally talked him into, after all these years, attending Bear Camp at Bear Mountain Lodge Men’s Resort & Campground for Memorial Day weekend to celebrate their shared 39^th birthday. The clothing optional men’s camp in the the Blue Ridge mountains of North Georgia is a place he has avoided for many years even though it’s not far from where he lives. He is a forty-two-year-old doctor of English literature at the local University. Yes he’s a published author of a very successful book but life has since skidded down hill. His ex cheated on him with his teaching assistant and wound up marrying him. He belittled him his dismal second book, his “dad bod”, his writer’s block and his performance failures in their bedroom. It’s a wonder he ever left the house with his self esteem issues! But when Bear Mountains reigning Muscle Cub, 26 year old Austin Fox, takes notice of him he’s beyond shocked. What does he even see in him?

Paul’s disgusting ex sure did number on him. He convinced him that he was old, worthless and used up. Add in the cheating with younger men and it’s no wonder he not only had self esteem issues but that he developed performance anxiety to boot.

How the author dealt Paul’s performance anxiety was thoughtful and informative. I had absolutely no idea that ED meds had such bad side effects on some men. Turns out it’s really not that uncommon to suffer all sorts of unpleasant side effects. And 42 is pretty young but it’s not unheard of. But Austin really made this story for me in regards to helping with his anxiety. He was patient, caring, sweet and help to lower expectations that would further debilitate Paul and make his anxiety worse. Just getting him to relax help drive home that not only he could but actually can when not fully pressured. It really resonated with me Paul’s struggle and that traditional forms of sex weren’t always the end all. Just being there together and enjoying their budding relationship is what is important.

I loved that, even though there was a 16 year age gap it was Austin that seemed to take more control and lead. He truly is an old sole. His life experiences lead to some insecurities for him that rocked his confidence level internally but his bright sunshine personality never let people know what deep down was troubling. Having Paul be able to be his rock to be able to talk through those was just as important as Paul learning to lean on and trust Austin. The deep seeded issues allowed each of the men to comfort and build up the other and help them over those issues. The writing of their anxieties/problems and toss them in the bonfire was a super cool way to start being able to let go of past traumas and work on them together. The trust that each of these men brought on was significant to each of them moving forward.

There were so many complex issues that the author brought forth in this book. You might expect all fun and games when going to Bear Camp, and trust me they were delightful, but the heart of this story was the learning to let go of the past and move forward with the love, support and trust of a budding and then more permanent relationship.

This thought provoking novel was a huge hit for me. The author carefully constructed a novel that was way beyond fun fluff and move on the the meat and potatoes of complex and real life issues. A HUGE thumbs up for me 👍

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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