Short Review: Reboud by Chris Scully

Reviewed by SinChan
Rebound (Heartwarming) by Chris Scully
Dreamspinner Press
Short Story: 67pgs
3 Pants Off

Blurb:
Christmas is a time for peace, love, and goodwill toward mankind. Not! More like cheating exes and absentee friends. For Emmett Byrd, spending the holiday season with his old college friend Terry in San Diego is supposed to be about mending his broken heart. But when Terry deserts him at the last minute, leaving Emmett alone in his condo for Christmas, it's just the icing on the cake of a crappy year full of betrayal and lost love. The only Christmas spirit this Scrooge is feeling is the alcoholic kind. Then a slightly kooky, unsophisticated farm boy named Sky knocks on the door looking for Terry, and a case of mistaken identity reawakens Emmett's hope in happily ever after. 

Short Review
Emmett and his best friend broke up with their respective boyfriends and plan to have a mutual crying fest for the Christmas holidays. When Emmett arrives at his friend's home, he ends up house sitting alone because his friend found a new boyfriend and wants to spend Christmas as a loving couple. After turning away several of his friend's ex boyfriends at his door, Emmett gets drunk and wallows in his self-pity. A surprise comes in the form of Sky, who Emmett suspect is another one of his friend's ex boyfriends.

I find it hard to believe that Emmett broke up with his boyfriend of 12 years. That's so sad and it starts off the book with a melancholy that I can't shake off. I keep thinking maybe Emmett and Sky will break up in the future too and love will not last no matter how good the beginning.

Despite the melancholy, the romance is cute and the misunderstanding is just on Emmett's side. I knew Emmett mistaken Sky for his friend's rebound way before Emmett did and got impatient. The story ends with Emmett and Sky giving each other a chance to build on their chemistry. It is very worthwhile to read about how Sky helps Emmett to overcome his grief and convinces him to give them a chance. Overall, this is a sweet, romantic story that focuses on a new beginning.

3 Pants Off