Title: The Townie and the Twink
Author: Daisy Harris
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Pages: 122
Characters: Gabe Ashton, Nick Flynn
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance, Series
Kisses: 5
Blurb:
Insightful to a fault, Gabe Ashton knows Nick Flynn’s gay even if Nick doesn’t. And after seeing how the townie looks at his “buddy,” Gabe knows Nick is in love with a guy who’ll never love him back. So Gabe invites Nick to campus parties and to hang out with new people. But soon their friendship turns physical, and Gabe wonders if he’s in just as much denial as Nick is.
Nick’s straight—or so he’s always assumed. But he can’t deny that the things he’s doing with Gabe are hot. More than that, he likes Gabe in a way he’s never liked anyone else. Well, anyone else except his high school friend, John.
The hardest thing to give up is a fantasy, and the hardest thing to face is the truth. But if Nick wants the man standing in front of him, he’ll have to give up the one he never had.
Review:
Alright…I admit that the Men of Holsum College series has become a favorite of mine. Ms. Harris has an ability to grip this reader into these characters’ lives. Each one of her books in the series has had well-written characters that easily live in this reader’s heart and mind long after I finished reading these books. Although, I’ve really liked all of the books in the series so far, The Townie and the Twink, is my favorite in the series so far.
If there is such a thing as a perfectly spot on ‘gaydar’ Gabe has it. He’s proud that just in a few moments, he can instinctively tell who is straight and who is gay. Lately, Gabe has been eyeing a fellow classman, Nick, who even though he looks and acts straight, Gabe instinctively knows he’s gay. When Gabe spots Nick sitting alone at a local pub, Gabe can’t help but approach the quiet man and is soon invited to sit with him. As Gabe and Nick begin to talk, Gabe is more than a little positive that Nick is not a straight man…even if Nick doesn’t realize it himself. But just when their conversation is just getting interesting, they are joined by Nick’s childhood best friend, John, and Gabe immediately senses the attraction and love Nick has for his very straight best friend.
Days later, Gabe can’t get Nick off of his mind. Determined to get to know the man better, Gabe invites Nick to a party and encouraged Nick to stay with him and his roommates afterward, instead of going home across town. Although Nick tells him there’s a very good chance he’ll not be able to come, he does end up going to the party and meets Nick and his friends partying together in the basement of the frat house. Soon, a friendship develops between them and Gabe finds himself hopelessly falling for the naïve Nick. To Gabe’s delight, Nick starts slowly admitting his attraction for Nick, and their relationship slowly starts to deepen into something truly special. But even though they fool around, Nick still has a hard time admitting his attraction to Gabe, much less to anyone else. Soon, both men are forced to come to terms with their feelings toward each other and Nick knows he must make a life changing decision. Will he chose a new life with Gabe or will he embrace his old life with his straight best friend, John?
I loved this book! I thought both Gabe and Nick were interesting and well-written characters. At first, they seem to exist on very opposite spectrums of life. Nick comes from a poor family and has had to work hard for everything he’s gotten. Although he’s been attracted to men in the past, he really doesn’t think much about it. He’s resolved to get through college, graduate, get a good job and settle down with a wife and kids. Gabe on the other hand, looks to come by things a little more easily. Gabe’s very sure of himself and embraces his sexuality and the lifestyle he lives. I loved his zest for life and his sense of humor cracked me up at times. They really balance each other out. Nick makes Gabe settle down and Gabe makes Nick not to be so serious and enjoy life. The banter and camaraderie between Nick and Gabe was very apparent throughout their story and I loved the connection they had together.
I also thought the confusion and fear Nick goes through as he faces his sexuality, and what changes it will make in his life should he embrace it, was very realistically written. I did love how pure I thought Nick’s feelings were for Gabe, and it was very obvious that there was a strong emotional bond between them that could not be denied. I loved the chemistry between these two characters and I hated to see their story come to an end.
Although I do believe that The Townie and the Twink could be easily read as a stand-alone book, I recommend you read the entire series. This way you will truly understand and love the dynamics between Ms. Harris’s amazing characters.
Here are the Men of Holsum College books in series order:
College Boys
Diva and the Frat Boy
The Townie and the Twink
Reviewed By: Gabbi
