Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Beau Bell is a former Olympic hopeful, left paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident. He has every reason in the world to be pissed off and miserable, yet he’s training for the Paralympics Men's 100m—S6 division. The chair? Just a part of who he is now. Beau's attitude is golden. If only he could contend with this one little issue: errant erections and no way to relieve them!

Niksa Meríc is a lonely scientist and really bad poet living underneath the old building where he does his research. Every night he watches his neighbor through his basement window as he undresses in his wheelchair. Although there is no apparent reason for Niksa to be unhappy, he’s struggled with depression his whole life and has tried to kill himself on multiple occasions.

When Beau proposes that his “voyeur” come over and help him experiment with the erections he can’t actually feel, the relationship they build is a sexual one. But the relationship they need is one that will heal each other’s heart as well.

 

Book Review

This is an amazing story about two men who each face an uphill struggle not just to survive, but to do it well. Their challenges are very different, and neither of them suspects they’ll be able to help each other. But once they begin to interact (on a purely voyeuristic basis at first), then meet and build one of the most unusual relationships I have read about in a while, they discover there is a lot more between them than the “deal” they have made to explore having sex together. Both characters are not just well researched, but written with compassion and a deep understanding of what drives them. This may look like a purely physical relationship, and that is what Beau thinks he needs, but it ends up being a growth experience for both of them. It is also a great case of intimacy sneaking up on two unsuspecting guys and turning out to be not at all what they expected.

Beau is all about the physical side of life. Not surprising really, since he used to be an Olympic swimmer, and even though a car accident paralyzed him from the waist down, his solution is, by necessity, centered around the physical as well. He has to learn how to deal with a different set of abilities, but the one thing he knows is that he will remain a swimmer. Beau has also never had the time (or inclination) for a relationship, so he isn’t looking for one when he hooks up with Niksa. Beau requests help with his involuntary erections and how to learn to orgasm without genital stimulation. I thought it was pretty obvious he’d need intimacy to get there, but he never even considers this. For him, as ever, it is still all about his body. It was fascinating to see him learn and grow!

Niksa is the complete opposite of Beau. He is a scientist who lives in his head, has no friends, and not even a real desire to live. He’s had a tough life, but his challenge is mental and spiritual. Niksa writes poetry, and it’s all very dark and depressing, yet very emotional. He has never had sex, so Beau’s “offer” to teach him works well, but Niksa knows he will get attached and be in trouble before they start. He craves intimacy, yet he knows it is the one thing Beau is not willing to give. And Niksa being very self-centered, he misses all the signs that things may be changing, and is totally shocked when he finds out what has been happening to Beau.

If you like stories about complicated men who face tremendous challenges, if you want to find out what it may be like to live as a physically or emotionally challenged person, and if you’re looking for a read that is deeply emotional, character-driven, and very hot, then you will probably enjoy this extraordinary novella.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 90 pages/27135 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	06-May-2015
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/all-that-shimmers-by-raine-otierney-131-b