Reviewed by Ro
TITLE: The Player
AUTHOR: Lily Morton
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 162 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2024
BLURB: Frankie Bishop had only been married for a few months when he became a widower, leaving him with a mountain of debts, a business on the edge of ruin, and a parrot called Hank Marvin.
Three years later, the business is finally thriving, and Frankie finds himself ready to look for love again. It comes as a complete surprise to discover that he’s developed feelings for Con — his late husband’s best friend and now Frankie’s business partner.
Why did he overlook the gorgeous man who’s been by his side through everything? Even more importantly, how can he tell Con about his feelings when Con seems to have suddenly found love with another man?
REVIEW:
This is the story of Frankie, a warm-hearted, lovely man, who was married to David. David was charismatic and in a whirlwind romance married Frankie. Together with David’s best friend, Con, they ran a custom guitar business. David was the outgoing front man, Frankie the business side, Con made the guitars. Unfortunately, David was more enamored by the next new thing, running up debts charged to the business and cheating on Frankie. After a fight, David ends up dying in an accident and for the past three years Con and Frankie have been working to get the business back on track, becoming best friends in the process.
Con is dedicated to his craft and when he is faced with making guitars for a superstar, not to play but to match his outfits, his hissy fit is so funny. He is loyal and dedicated, and I just adored him. Actually, I loved both of them. The book is focused on Con and Frankie and how you navigate life after a death. It is not angsty at all, but serious when it should be.
Lucy, the town busybody and force of nature getting people to bend to her will, is more likeable than it would appear. She is a royal pain in the butt but causes some funny, funny reactions. And when she gets a little bit of comeuppance later, I laughed.
As to side characters, we get a cameo from Max from After Felix here, and I loved that. I won’t spoiler it but Hank Marvin is also a great character, as is Joan, the office manager for Con and Frankie. Tim? Well, we will refrain from comment.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: