Waiting for Winter

I came to this because I love getting short ABs to fill a couple of hours and though I do like Derrick McClain sometimes he doesn't work for me. I'm thrilled that on this occasion he was excellent because the story deserves it. L.B. Gregg is a “new-to-me” author and I'll definitely try more.

This is the story of Luke and Winter, a case of opposites attract who turned out to be a perfect couple until they weren't. Winter is one of those company fixers, think Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, who travels for his work. Luke, his younger partner, is fine with staying back and keeping the homefires burning until Winter makes a unilateral decision to move to Germany, which Luke isn't having and they separate. The book opens with Winter trying to reconnect after some months of separation and suitably progresses, as befits a Holiday romance, to their reconciliation by Christmas. This summary may sound clinical but I felt that it was beautifully done, but more importantly, believable.

What I loved about this story is a long list, but primarily I liked that it's a story about adults in an established relationship and that neither the author nor the characters shy away from what that might mean. The author doesn't pretty-up a CEO like Winter. He is ruthless, pragmatic, and used to getting his way. Though he comes around and apologizes, beautifully, to Luke for how he's behaved as pertains to their relationship and we, as readers, are confident that Luke will be well loved and taken care of, we're also sure that Winter will continue to be the successful businessman with all that entails. For his part Luke is honest enough to recognize his powerlessness in the presence of a Winter who wants him back, to see where he himself has been at fault, wether by commission or omission, and more importantly to forgive and hold tight to the good thing they have and not dwell on his hurts, perceived or real.

Those are the other BIG themes in this story: forgiveness, true love, and, more importantly, the willingness to alter or modify our dreams and plans because sometimes, that other life is just as good, just as rewarding. It's just different. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in what we thought our life would be or look like that we can't see anything else, any other options, but they ARE there. And they're not bad.

As for the romance between Luke and Winter, to me, it felt real, lived in, and genuine. And still sizzling.