{Warning: Cherry Pie is a m/m romance, with all that implies. If this is not your cup o’ tea, I invite you to move along to a different review. No trolls allowed here.}
Oh, dear readers… You should’ve just let me disappear quietly after the last Kristen Ashley bonfire. But no, you all had to be kind, and encouraging, and sound like you actually enjoyed my attempts at reviewing books. I’m not looking for kudos. I read what you all write, and I’m not there yet. BUT I WILL BE.
As I’m sure all of you are aware, there’s A LOT of garbage available for Amazon’s Kindle readers. It’s SO EASY to fall down the well of questionable choices (like this gay airplane porn. I’m not kidding.), especially with much of it being $1.99 or less. It’s completely worth those little charges to be able to read something so ridiculous you giggle-snort the entire time. During one of those browse and binge episodes, I came across CHERRY PIE by Samantha Kane. It was a little more expensive at $3.99, but why not? It had a several good reviews and it sounded like there might be actual character development.
I’m so glad I took a chance. It’s not Faulkner or Harper Lee, but it is a loving portrayal of Mercury, S.C., a small, slowly dying Southern town, and the romance that develops between a prodigal son and a newcomer. Connor, the prodigal, was the football star who got a full ride to Georgia Tech and thought he’d made it out. One blown knee, no degree, and an addiction to pain killers put him on a path he never could’ve foreseen. John, the newcomer, is a tech guru from California who comes to Mercury on a whim after daydreaming about retiring there with his killed in action lover. John buys Connor’s mother’s home after she passes away, and meets Connor when he comes home on a pilgrimage of sorts.
Their connection is instantaneous and intense. They are both carrying a lot of past burdens and come to realize that in addition to the great sex (you may want to invest in asbestos gloves. Seriously.), they help ease the other of the load they’re bearing. Both characters learn the value of openly and honestly communicating with each other. The townsfolk are not real sure what to make of a favorite son being openly homosexual, and are even more shocked when his dark past comes to light, but for the most part are supportive and pleased to have Connor home where he belongs – in his Momma’s house, making her cherry pie recipe.