Title: More Than Words
in Don’t Read in the Closet Volume Four anthology
Author: Fae Sutherland
Genre: Contemporary / Gay Romance
Goodreads
My Rating:
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Blurb
Painfully shy, slightly awkward florist Elias has daydreamed about Mateo – the hot mechanic from the shop across the street – for months. When he finally gets his chance to talk to him, Mateo’s response, or lack thereof, is enough to have Elias vowing to never make such a fool of himself again, not for any guy, no matter how hot.
But then the flowers start arriving. Every day, each with a special meaning, a story to tell him – a secret admirer who has a way with words even though Elias doesn’t even know who he is.
When Elias finds himself in over his head late one night and Mateo comes to his rescue, can Elias learn to stop expecting pretty words and start listening to his heart instead?
* This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Read in the Closet event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
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My Review
Elias is a florist, and has daydreamed about Mateo – the hot mechanic from the shop across the street – for months. Elias is too shy to take the first step, and when one day he manages to talk to him, Mateo doesn’t reply as he hopes. So Elias vows to never make such a fool of himself again.
“I’m not anti-romance… I just haven’t ever seen the real thing, that’s all. Until I do, I’ll continue to believe it’s something like the chupacabra… all myth, no substance.”
Elias has no idea that his feelings are requited, so he can’t figure out that the secret admirer, who sends him flowers every day, each with a special meaning, is actually Mateo.
Pansies and sweet pea. Elias laughed when he saw them. They meant loving thoughts and shyness.
It may sound cheesy, but it was not. Though a bit rushed, More Than Words is a sweet and very romantic story.
The language barrier here was not an obstacle but a liberating power for Elias, making him confident and bold. It was amazing.
There was a frantic, gritty sound to the words that made Elias grin. Mateo let loose a string of curses that were understandable in any language.
“Glad to know I’m not the only one losing his damn mind,” Elias teased, breathless.
Sweet story!
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