Review: Rum and Ginger by Eon de Beaumont

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Rum & Ginger ( The Connection #1) by Eon De Beaumont
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 200pgs
4.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
The Connection: Book One

Ben Silver’s personal dream is to open the first gay bar in Liamsport, Pennsylvania. The town isn’t exactly open-minded, but that’s not why Ben stays in the closet. Chance, Ben’s computer nerd boyfriend, is deathly afraid of anyone finding out he’s gay. On a night out, Ben meets Brodie Felix, a younger, heavily tattooed bartender who lights a spark in Ben’s heart. Although the spark in his relationship with Chance has dwindled to almost nothing, Ben feels guilty for wanting to be single, for wanting another man, so he tries to forget about Brodie.

But when Ben discovers one of Chance’s own secrets, he’s forced to make a difficult choice.

On his own for the first time in his life, Ben can be open with his family and friends. Though honesty has its benefits, his life isn’t perfect. Ben’s circle of friends and family is growing. So is the spark between him and Brodie, and Ben hopes it will grow into a flame. His dream remains out of his grasp, but with a little help and a lot of work, he might yet serve his favorite rum and ginger ale at his own establishment, the first gay bar in his hometown.

Review
Ben Silver’s life isn’t all happiness and roses. He’s in a long-term relationship with his college sweetheart that he has to hide because Chance is still in the closet. Ben went to college to get away from the small town prejudices. Yet, because of Chance’s desire to own this house that’s been in his family forever, he moves back. Ben works at T.C. McFlannigan’s, it’s a job that’s slowly sucking the life out of him and yet he’s only doing this while he’s dreaming about opening a gay bar in his hometown.

One night out with some friends and he meets Brodie Felix and finds that he’s really attracted to him. However, he’s still in a relationship with Chance. He knows that something is wrong in their relationship and yet he’s unsure how to fix it or even if it’s worth it. Ben and Brodie keep meeting up and getting to know each other. Even though there is an attraction between them, they don’t take it any further than the one kiss that they shared. Still, they keep getting closer and closer the more time that they spend together.

One night Ben comes home and finds Chance betraying what’s left of their relationship, that’s the final straw as far as Ben is concerned. Ben is hurt and angry and confused as to what happened. How it happened to them. Ben moves out and moves into the basement apartment of an old high school friend, Derek. From there he starts to really find himself. He comes out to family and friends that he hadn’t been able to before because of his closeted relationship with Chance.

Ben and Brodie now are free to take a chance on beginning a relationship that has already been growing between them. Their relationship seems to be easy and flows quite naturally. There is really isn’t much strife or angst from either of them. I like that this is a new relationship and that they are still getting to know one another.

I like how this book is about Ben and how his life changes and how he changes and grows. Who is was in his relationship with Chance and who he is becoming. I love that he’s allowing himself to be a little bit more selfish, to see him go for what he wants and to be happy. I like that this is part of a series and that we will be able to see what comes next in Ben’s story.

I will say that I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a coming of age story in the sense that Ben is starting to find himself and who he wants to be. He learns the value of friendships new and old. He’s growing up and it’s working out for him. Even knowing that this book is the first in a series, I will say that the ending was quite abrupt, just done. This was the only part of the story that I had a hard time with. It just was done.

I recommend reading this great book for anyone looking for a book that brings a smile to your face and happy to watch a young man coming into his own. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

4.5 Pants Off