Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay, Bi
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Lee
Starting over after fifteen years hadn’t crossed my mind, but the reality hit me when the final divorce papers arrived. To process the end of my marriage, I’d escaped to the lake where I owned a home. I was determined to have everything figured out by the time I returned to the city. What happened instead was an ambush by my son, Taylor, and his friends. Dallas, the beautiful ginger man, who came with him, ruined my plans. He’d made me question everything I’d thought I knew about myself.
Dallas
There were a lot of things on my to-do list. The main one was trying not to burn out while I worked full-time and prepared for my last year of college. What hadn’t made it to my list was walking in on one of my friend’s fathers naked. Lee Porter intrigued me. When I returned home, a chance encounter brought us back together. Fascination turned to something else, and I was going to make the older man mine.
The Review
At twenty-two, Dallas has his life in order. He’s somewhat shy but has a few friends, including Taylor and Carolyn. Dallas has worked hard through his college years and has one more to go, and after that, maybe culinary school. He’s always has a job, and has paid his tuition, rent and bills without any help. The smartest move he made was separating himself from a controlling and dysfunctional family.
He’s very close to his roommate Carolyn. Dallas is pretty much her adopted brother, and Carolyn has always watched out for him. He works so hard at college and his jobs that he never has time for a vacation or spring break.
Carolyn and boyfriend Taylor invite Dallas to come along to Taylor’s family cabin – the best “no cost” vacation Dallas would ever have.
Dallas is ready to go, but Carolyn and Taylor are sleeping in. With directions and keys to the cabin in hand, Dallas heads out. When he arrives, he finds that it’s more than just a cabin, and comes complete with a boarder.
Lee Porter, forty-two, has just had his life turned upside down. Lee’s a fairly good businessman, and thought he had it all. But his long-time, open marriage has come to an end with one slip of an agreement. With the divorce final and finances split, he finds himself staying at the secluded cabin, preparing to start over again.
Dallas’ and Lee’s introduction is certainly awkward! Maybe the company will be good for Lee, and maybe Dallas won’t feel like a third wheel.
Siobhan Smile creates a steamy, romantic love story with a touch of drama. It brings out the inner strength, support and trust that Lee and Dallas share in a growing relationship, despite their different ages. Dallas’s reaction to Lee (and vice-versa) is a surprise – a twist on what’s supposed to be normal.
All is not easy for Dallas and Lee as they make decisions about their relationship. Will Lee be able to accept Dallas’s terms? There’s also concern for when to tell the “kids” – Taylor and Carolyn. And there’s drama with Dallas’s parents and Lee’s ex, Brand.
There’s a nice little group of supportive secondary characters here too: Dallas’ boss, Edwin and co-workers Lila and Felix, Lee’s business partners Tom and Loren, Lee’s ex-girlfriend, and Taylors mother, Taria.
Acquainted with Vice is for those who love to be entertained and like that things are not always “normal.” I was totally entertained, and my curiosity had me flipping pages to find out where this wonderful relationship would take Dallas and Lee. I’ll be watching for more heartwarming stories from Siobhan Smile!
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.
