Review: Stubbed Toes And Dating Woes – Dahlia Donovan

Genre: Contemporary

LGBTQ+ Category: Gay, Ace

Reviewer: Linda, Paranormal Romance Guild

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About The Book

Niclas Ruiz loves digging in the dirt for ancient artifacts. He’s obsessed with old words and lives in his own world. His summers are often spent traveling to new places to hunt for treasure with his trusty metal detector while trying not to get lost or stumble off a cliff.

Love has never been high on his priority list. His being autistic and asexual has often been a hurdle for other people. But he’s happy enough to plod along on his own with his horde like a fairy-tale dragon.

But sometimes, he allows himself to dream about a man out of his reach.

Two things about Falk “Grizz” Evensen are certain. He runs a successful security firm and has been hopelessly in love with his best friend’s younger brother for many years. Neither of them has ever dared to test the waters.

When Niclas plans to visit Cornwall for the summer, his older brother convinces Falk to join him under the auspices of keeping him safe.

Is this May-December romance doomed to be derailed by fears of unrequited love?

Will their treasure hunt lead them to true love or fool’s gold?

The Review

Niclas Ruiz is a 28-year-old autistic man with a love of collecting artifacts and old curses. He works for the British Museum on archeological digs, a job he loves and is very good at. He needs to take time to process things, hates loud noises, and just wants to go out with his metal detector and find artifacts for the museum. His older brother Izan has looked after him since their parents died, and he overly protective of him.

Niclas oftem forgets to eat when he is out on a dig, and not a day goes by without him tripping and banging into something. He is about to go on a two-month exploration, permits in hand and Airbnb rentals booked. Izan is worried about him being on his own, and imagining all the trouble he can get himself in. His biggest fear is that Niclas will hurt himself.

Falk “Grizz” Evensen is Izan’s old military mate and now his boss. He owns a private security firm, and Izan convinces him that he needs a vacation, and wouldn’t it be fun to accompany Niclas on his dig. Falk has been in love with Niclas for years and he can’t think of one thing to keep him from away. Well, there is one thing – Niclas not wanting him to come. Niclas accepts the offer because he has loved Falk for years, and despite knowing that his brother is behind it, he looks forward to the company.

Both men are asexual. Falk is older than Niclas. They will be spending two months in close proximity, but it will take an act of courage for one of them to make a move.

Niclas does manage to get himself in trouble when he falls into the water. He also forgets to eat and drink, but fortunately Falk is there to look after him. Falk is amazing – he knows how to handle Niclas, and can give him what he needs when he is floundering.

Stubbed Toes and Dating Woes is a sweet, fascinating story with no sex, no suspense, no surprises about two unique men who manage to find love and respect.

Four stars.

The Reviewer

I am an avid reader the mother of 3 sons and grandmother to seven grandchildren. Since retiring I have been doing more reading while volunteering as a CASA worker. CASA is an organization that works with the family court system to ensure that children are in the best living situation. There are way too many children that get overlooked in the foster care system and I visit homes and make visits to the parents. I was born and raised in New York and my husband of 50 years and I live in Upstate New York.

The Paranormal Romance Guild was established in 2009 by 8 Indie Authors and one Reviewer to be a constant help for authors. You can be a free author member, submitting your work for review OR become a Premium Author Member for a small yearly fee and enjoy many extra services including Free Beta Reads, Author Giveaways and many others. Your reviews are posted on our 3 FB Sites, Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram. WE REVIEW ALL GENRES LGBTQ+ welcome.

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