Genre: Contemporary, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
On his 30th birthday, barista Jimmy Patterson decides to get rip-roaring drunk after his roommate-boyfriend abandons him at a bar in the tiny California foothills town of Stone Acres where they have relocated from San Francisco. Jimmy is immediately rescued by the burly owner of Stonewall Saloon, who has had his eye on Jimmy since the first time he came in months before.
Jimmy’s fine with being saved but wants to know the bartender’s real name since the guy has worn name tags with an assortment of names every time Jimmy has spoken to him. After Jimmy nicknames him Guy, the bartender decides to turn guessing his first name into a game, giving Jimmy a guess a day for a week and promising to wine and dine him during that time. If Jimmy’s guess is wrong, he owes Guy a zing-zow, knock-your-socks-off kiss. Jimmy agrees since this sounds like a slam-dunk, win-win deal.
While he searches for cringe-worthy given names, Jimmy is distracted by the destruction of his shopping mall coffee shop. He is also beset by the town council that doesn’t want him to buy an historic bank building in Old Town Stone Acres to set up another coffee shop. The celestial high of being romanced by Guy and the abyss of business worries don’t seem like the road to happily ever after. However, Jimmy and Guy might be in for a big surprise.
The Review
Pat Henshaw first entertained me with this sweet, funny and a little bit of drama, 2015 novella “What’s In A Name”. The story introduced two very opposite characters in Jimmy Patterson a barista and “Guy” Stone the bartender.
This isn’t Jimmy’s first time at the Stonewall Saloon, but it’s the first time to celebrate his thirtieth birthday. He’s made one mistake already and that’s being involved with a cheating boyfriend. Mistake number two, is feeling sorry for himself and tying-one-on.
Luckily for Jimmy, Guy winds up being more than a bartender to talk too. Guy knows when Jimmy needs to be cut-off and goes above and beyond to take care of Jimmy.
As Jimmy and Guy get to know one another they realize that they’ve actually known each other for some time now. When they officially start to date they find more things in common and what’s important in a relationship. As they date, there’s a little fun between them as Jimmy tries to guess Guy’s real name.
Unfortunately, the small Sierra community still has its issues with intolerance, from threats to serious danger, Jimmy and Guy find a way to work through it all.
Pat Henshaw also brings the Sierra Foothills alive with her colorful descriptions of the area. She gives an in-depth look into Guy and the history behind Old Town, the Stonewall Saloon and how it all connects. Besides Jimmy and Guy she creates some other characters like: Felicity co-owner of Penny’s coffee shop and best friend to Jimmy. Along with some not-so-nice characters too.
I have to say, I like both versions of “What’s In A Name”. I was torn between covers though, I like the 2015 version just a little better. As for the additional content the story is still one worth reading over and over again. It’s a quick read, not something to tax the brain, with a sweet HEA. Lovers of easy reads and Happy Endings, check out for Pat Henshaw’s “Foothills Pride” series!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
