Never Too Late

Title: Never Too Late
Author: J.P. Bowie
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Page Count: 73
Reviewed by: Kristin
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Knocking fifty isn’t bad enough? Jared Haas gets a double whammy when his doc tells him he needs a hip replacement. Can a hunky but too young paramedic smooth the way to recovery?

Jared Haas isn’t happy. On his own for more than two years after his partner of twenty years, Daniel, died, he’s knocking fifty and now his athleticism is threatened by, of all things, a hip replacement. How to make a guy feel really old! At least there’s eye candy nearby in the very nice shape of Steve Forrest, a hunky paramedic who is willing to take more than just a professional interest in Jared’s welfare. The problem is, in Jared’s opinion, he’s too young.

Steve is persistent, though, telling Jared that the difference in their ages isn’t ‘the Grand Canyon of time’. His good looks and sweet nature, not to mention his patience in waiting for Jared to heal before making his move, eventually wear Jared down, and the first time they make love, Jared knows he is lost in lust. Something he never thought possible.

Their idyll is shaken when Daniel’s brother shows up unexpectedly and declares his love for Jared. David has left his wife and his job back in Seattle ready to move in with Jared and claim him as his own. To say Jared is taken aback by this strange turn of events is putting it mildly. How can he tell David he’s completely delusional without breaking his heart?

Here’s another situation Jared never thought he’d have to deal with, only this one isn’t nearly as pleasant, and might prove to be the end of his relationship with both men

Blurb is a bit overly dramatic for what, in essence, is a short story and I hate to say this, but is also big on the spoilers.

Never Too Late is a sweet, fact paced, romance (I did mention this was a short) with just enough tension to keep things interesting. The tension is nicely done from the perspective of uncertainty about age, age difference and getting back into the dating scene after two years of being alone after a loss. The maturity of the characters balanced the tension out and added an appreciated level of sincerity.

While I personally have not had a hip replacement, I know people who have, and I know what is involved in getting back on track. I felt the author either experienced a replacement himself or knew someone who did because he really was spot on in recovery. Where it faltered a bit was in the long-term rehab, but, this is a short story after all.

Where I thought things went a bit off the rails was when the brother-in-law shows up professing undying love. It was handled okay for a short, but I think the story could have benefited from being longer to incorporate this awkward and unwanted aspect.

Ultimately, a sweet romance that is easily devoured in a lazy, rainy afternoon.

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