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A review by janetted
Wedding Favors by Anne Tenino
4.0
4.5 stars
I've been really looking forward to Anne Tenino's contribution to this amazing series for a while now. I always enjoy her stories because they offer unique spins on familiar tropes, complete with vibrant, lively characters. I think you'll find Wedding Favors is truly no different - Lucas and Gabe keep things very interesting in quiet little Bluewater Bay.
If anything these guys are a study in contrasts. Lucas is a famous sculptor who's sworn never to return to Bluewater Bay. He spent most of his life waiting to get out, so why would he ever go back? Instead he's traveled the world in pursuit of his art before settling in LA. Gabe's a down-to-earth logger who can't imagine being anywhere else. He's content to run his family business, working the land and taking care of his family. That isn't where the differences end either; their personalities and preferences make me wonder if it's even possible for them to get on the same page.
The one thing they do have in common is that spark of attraction and shared memories of a one-time hook-up. Okay, so they each remember that night differently, but the result is basically the same - in all the years since Lucas left Bluewater Bay to take on the world, neither has been able to forget it. Lucas coming home for his best friend's wedding and finding out Gabe's the Best Man might just be the push they need to forgive and forget.
Gabe seems like my kind of guy - warm, caring and genuinely kind - and I liked him immediately. Lucas took me a bit longer, but only because he's that sassy kind of self-involved that makes you wonder if he's really a jerk or it's all a facade. In this case, getting to see the real Lucas is a revelation. Tenino slowly shows his true character, and we find him growing, changing, maturing. He's able to shrug off the superficial armor he's unknowingly donned living in LA, relax and finally just live. That kind of awe and wonder is refreshing to share with a character, and it gives me such hope that maybe love doesn't have to be so painful after all.
But of course it is. Painful, I mean. It's clear as the story progresses that what Gabe and Lucas share is much more than a physical attraction. Without even trying, Gabe is everything Lucas never realized he wants in a partner. He's kind, considerate, attentive - all things Lucas really needs. Most of all he's unconditionally accepting, and for someone who's used to hiding parts of himself out of fear of censure like Lucas, that's critical. But Gabe and Lucas' arrangement has an expiration date, and as it draws near, the angst and tension really ramp up. Tenino builds toward a climax that I'm not sure I ever want to reach. (Now there's a first. :) Sorry, I had to. This is Anne Tenino after all, a woman lauded for good sexual humor and giving away handmade male genitalia.) Anyway, getting back on track...you won't want to miss the emotional, sensual journey these guys take.
If you've been reading and enjoying the Bluewater Bay series, you'll find this story has the same vibe and feel as the others. How multiple authors manage to achieve that kind of consistency is always astounding to me. It's inherent that each has his/her own style and flair, but those nuances are blended into a singular sensation of belonging in Bluewater Bay. Each story expands an already amazing cast of characters in this rather quaint, charming setting. I like that Tenino's story mentions but doesn't directly involve Wolf's Landing; I think it's one of the few to do so. It's a nice reminder that there's more than just movie star magic in Bluewater Bay.
I've been really looking forward to Anne Tenino's contribution to this amazing series for a while now. I always enjoy her stories because they offer unique spins on familiar tropes, complete with vibrant, lively characters. I think you'll find Wedding Favors is truly no different - Lucas and Gabe keep things very interesting in quiet little Bluewater Bay.
If anything these guys are a study in contrasts. Lucas is a famous sculptor who's sworn never to return to Bluewater Bay. He spent most of his life waiting to get out, so why would he ever go back? Instead he's traveled the world in pursuit of his art before settling in LA. Gabe's a down-to-earth logger who can't imagine being anywhere else. He's content to run his family business, working the land and taking care of his family. That isn't where the differences end either; their personalities and preferences make me wonder if it's even possible for them to get on the same page.
The one thing they do have in common is that spark of attraction and shared memories of a one-time hook-up. Okay, so they each remember that night differently, but the result is basically the same - in all the years since Lucas left Bluewater Bay to take on the world, neither has been able to forget it. Lucas coming home for his best friend's wedding and finding out Gabe's the Best Man might just be the push they need to forgive and forget.
Gabe seems like my kind of guy - warm, caring and genuinely kind - and I liked him immediately. Lucas took me a bit longer, but only because he's that sassy kind of self-involved that makes you wonder if he's really a jerk or it's all a facade. In this case, getting to see the real Lucas is a revelation. Tenino slowly shows his true character, and we find him growing, changing, maturing. He's able to shrug off the superficial armor he's unknowingly donned living in LA, relax and finally just live. That kind of awe and wonder is refreshing to share with a character, and it gives me such hope that maybe love doesn't have to be so painful after all.
But of course it is. Painful, I mean. It's clear as the story progresses that what Gabe and Lucas share is much more than a physical attraction. Without even trying, Gabe is everything Lucas never realized he wants in a partner. He's kind, considerate, attentive - all things Lucas really needs. Most of all he's unconditionally accepting, and for someone who's used to hiding parts of himself out of fear of censure like Lucas, that's critical. But Gabe and Lucas' arrangement has an expiration date, and as it draws near, the angst and tension really ramp up. Tenino builds toward a climax that I'm not sure I ever want to reach. (Now there's a first. :) Sorry, I had to. This is Anne Tenino after all, a woman lauded for good sexual humor and giving away handmade male genitalia.) Anyway, getting back on track...you won't want to miss the emotional, sensual journey these guys take.
If you've been reading and enjoying the Bluewater Bay series, you'll find this story has the same vibe and feel as the others. How multiple authors manage to achieve that kind of consistency is always astounding to me. It's inherent that each has his/her own style and flair, but those nuances are blended into a singular sensation of belonging in Bluewater Bay. Each story expands an already amazing cast of characters in this rather quaint, charming setting. I like that Tenino's story mentions but doesn't directly involve Wolf's Landing; I think it's one of the few to do so. It's a nice reminder that there's more than just movie star magic in Bluewater Bay.