4.25 Warm Fuzzy (but not sappy sweet) Stars

Joe and Ed have been together for 2.5 years. They live together. They are seemingly committed. But they haven't ever bothered to DTR (define the relationship). Joe, it appears, has never really even considered his feelings for Ed. Ed, on the other hand, has probably thought about it but is okay keeping his feelings unexpressed.

Then a new opportunity presents itself to the couple and their lives undergo a big change. Suddenly they are relying on each other more and more. It becomes harder for them to deny that they share real feelings for each other and that the relationship is more than just a convenience and great sex. Each man slowly admits to himself that he needs the other, but they continue to resist saying those three magic words.

There were a lot of things I loved about this book. It was a book about being in love rather than falling in love. I have said it before, I love those books where the initial infatuation has passed but the fire is still burning strong. The issues of struggling with family and community acceptance were beautifully handled. Maybe it all worked out a bit too perfectly for real life, but that's the beauty of fiction. The story line was fairly unique and didn't feel like this was a book I have already read a dozen times before with slightly different nuances.

Here is the only thing that bugged me. I knew they were in love. Everyone around them knew they were in love. Why didn't they know it? The reluctance of the men to DTR was the basis of this story, but the reason behind it was never really explained. I would have liked to have known what it was in their lives that stopped them from embracing the full reality of their relationship for so long.

 

Cultivating Love by Addison Albright

 

The blurb...

 

A man of few words, Joe is a hard-working farmhand who likes his simple, uncomplicated life. Ed is satisfied with his existence as an auto mechanic, but thrilled when an unexpected development in his life allows him to help Joe realize a dream. It forces them, however, to reevaluate the casual, undefined nature of their relationship.

 

They're too macho to speak of love, and neither would ever dream of acknowledging he doesn't really mind when it's his turn to bottom. When life throws them a curve ball, and the rules of their game get old, Ed makes an effort to take every aspect of their relationship up a notch. Will Joe be able to adapt to the open sentimentality Ed's injecting into their relationship, let alone the new spice in their bedroom activities?

 

So what did I think?

 

This book had something just a little bit special with it look at the relationship between Joe and Ed. Joe and Ed have been together for a long time but it is change in their circumstances that brings about changes in their relationship. An inheritance means that Ed can now provide a different kind of life for himself and Joe. They are both hardworking and honest men and they love each other. They have just been restrained in the way they show each other.

 

As they start their new life, Ed's gesture of sharing confirms his love and respect for Joe and kick starts some broader changes as both men start acknowledging the emotional side of their relationship. This includes being able to verbally acknowledge their love and changes in their physical relationship that accompany their changing attitudes.

 

The secondary character of Joe' sister Jenny injected a burst of fun and youth with her easy going and accepting attitude and the town's folk were wonderful (well most of them anyway!) The guys face gaining acceptance in their new town and dealing with some pretty serious actions against them, in a well told story that is engaging and easy to read. 

 

To find out more about Addison Albright and her books visit her website.

 

Buy Cultivating Love from Amazon.

 

Buy Cultivating Love from Loose ID.

Cultivating Love - Linn Henderson Well, this book was a little depressing. It was written really well and I loved the concept of the story, but the ending was just so hard to read. Now the shoe is on the other foot and absolutely no compassion.

Not my cup of tea, but I will definitely try this author again.

3.5

It took me a while to get through this book - this seems more designed as a help for studying particular Buddhist sutra texts, not something I'm interested in doing. The tone is always gentle with Thich Nhat Hanh, but I could barely remember what he spoke of from one reading to the next. This would be helpful if you wanted in-depth study, but not so much for someone looking for reminders and maybe a few mantras to focus on during meditation.