Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE: In a New York Minute

AUTHOR:  Felice Stevens

NARRATOR:  Kale Williams

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  7 hours and 40 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  July 6, 2023

BLURB:

Garrett Steiner loves his grandmother.

Really.

But when she rents a billboard in the middle of Times Square hoping to find him a husband, he isn’t so sure anymore. Bad enough everyone at the “Crossroads of the World” thinks he’s a joke—now his face is plastered all over the news. He’s already in enough trouble with the principal of his school, who isn’t thrilled to have a gay teacher. It might be two dateless years since his divorce, but no way is he going to answer any of the thousand emails he’s received.

Except maybe one. The long-haired man with the soulful eyes.

After the devastating loss of his husband, rock star Remi Angel has hit rock bottom. His career is in shambles and he’s spiraling. Fast.

With the media ready for the next juicy scandal, he leaves the limelight behind to return to his roots and spend time with his beloved grandfather. Seeing Garrett’s billboard ad, Remi sends him an email, figuring nothing will come of it, but hey. At least he’s trying.

Except Garrett does answer, and when they meet, both feel that special spark. It’s terrifying yet wondrous, a combination of desire and hope mixed with fear.

The fear of loving again.
Of coming alive again.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.

But anything can happen in a New York minute…even love.

In a New York Minute is a slow burn, rock star, M/M romance filled with longing, doubt and swoony moments. There are love songs, a secret identity, a wise, bagel-loving grandpa, and an unrepentant bubbe who knows what’s best for her grandson.

Once in a lifetime can’t happen twice…or can it?

REVIEW:

Felice Stevens and Kale Williams have done it again.  This is another really heartfelt story about two men who have been through it!

Garrett and Remi are two men who are alone due to circumstances beyond their control and they have not been in the right place to try again.  Remi is dealing with his grief over losing his husband to cancer by not dealing.  He’s taken to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol and when things finally get out of hand and the collateral damage involves people who can make things hard for him.  His record label is holding back the release of his single and album and his manager tells him to get his act together.  He takes a break to spend time with his beloved grandfather.

Garrett was betrayed by his husband who wanted to live the fast life and after spending half his life with the man, he wonders if Ryan ever really loved him or if there was something else that kept him in the marriage 😉  His bubbe is tired of seeing him alone, so she puts up a billboard in Times Square looking for someone to date him.  Seriously?  Garrett is an elementary school teacher and his a$$hole principal is none to happy to have a gay teacher, let alone one who is now a news story.  He loves his grandmother, but he kind of also wants to kill her for the chaos she’s caused.  He’s nudged into checking out the responses and out of the thousands there are about 8 that are maybes.  But it’s the soulful Jeremiah whose email seems genuine that he actually responds to.  Remi is really Jeremiah.  Garrett has absolutely no idea who Remi Angel is 🙂  This is a bonus for Jeremiah. Somebody who doesn’t want him for what he can do for them or his fame.

Jeremiah and Garrett go out a few times.  These are fairly platonic meetings for coffee and a drink/meal, but it’s clear there is chemistry there.  Garrett has dealt with loss and abandonment and some self-esteem issues.  Jeremiah has been trying to deal with his grief and turn over a new leaf.  His grandfather is thrilled about having him around and Jeremiah is a lot more settled.  But what will happen when Garrett finally finds out who Jeremiah really is?  He’s been playing his past fairly close to the vest too  They are taking things slowly as both are cautious about making a mistake and getting hurt.  But there are forces that seem to keep drawing them together and they are so good for each other.

I absolutely loved this story!  The supporting characters were so fabulous. Both families were rock solid. These guys were so lucky.  I really enjoyed the reveals of the past that happened so organically in the book.  No info dumping – just sharing as would be normal in a dating relationship.  Kale Williams was spectacular as usual.  I listened to this story pretty much in one sitting and loved every second of it.  These guys dealt with some really tough issues. They didn’t make light of it and were thoughtful and considerate of each other the whole way. I also loved the little surprise reveal around Remi’s husband.  So sweet!  Go and listen.  It’s a wonderful second chances story of two guys overcoming loss and getting another shot at love.  Highly recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon

Audible