Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Rhett Carpenter’s early fame ended with a crash. Sixteen years later, he’s working steadily: writing, producing, narrating, even acting. He’s made a decent life for himself. The trouble is, he never wanted a life that was only for himself, and he’s not sure he wants this one anymore.

Gabriel Aguilar didn’t know who Rhett was when they met on the train, but it didn’t take long to find out. They noticed each other around the neighborhood, as well as on the Metro. Months later, when Gabriel’s apartment burned down, Rhett offered the vacant studio behind his house.

They weren’t close, but they were friends. So when Rhett needed someone to reach out, Gabriel did. And before long, they were much more than friends.

 

 

Content alert for depression.

 

Book Review

Let’s start with two good news items: ‘My Holiday Star’ is a lovely, satisfying adult read, with three-dimensional characters developing on the page before us – and – (but maybe this isn’t good news!) the book is plot- and character-driven and so may well be read holding it in both hands! Sorry to disappoint any potential readers hoping for that additional soupçon of excitement.

 

Rhett, at thirty-six, has a history of acting since having been a child, but now is long between active engagements. Past emotional difficulties (including the recent loss of a beloved pet and the occasional misuse of recreational drugs) have made him well aware that the “abyss of nothing” (i.e., suicide) could well be his future. But Rhett seems determined that the abyss not be his enemy; he needs to gain control of his own life again. Thus, the opening theme presents Rhett’s ambivalence concerning surviving and going forward. Unusual for so much current gay lit, ‘My Holiday Star’ isn’t about wanting sex, getting sex, regretting sex, and interminably narrow viewpoints about sex. Rather, it is a fine construct of fully-rounded main characters and their separate and joint developments. Rhett’s and Gabe’s evolving relationship is surprisingly different, more dependent on character than mere coital desire.

 

Even Gabriel’s past is tainted with a four-month marriage ending when his husband found it too “boring”.

 

We can now say goodbye to our constituency of hedonists, as we delve into the joinder of our main characters. They become friends, roommates. They plan Thanksgiving as an occasion for a fake boyfriend trope as Rhett invites his parents to dinner. They cooperate in redecorating. They grow, with Rhett, particularly, gaining strength and hope. And as anticipated, trope becomes truth, fake becomes genuine, validating the author’s literary talent.

 

Conversations between adults are perfect; the main characters communicate; Rhett and his therapist enlighten us; grownups are actually talking as adults to their parents. Sex, when present, is almost incidental to the plot – though clearing passionate and fulfilling. The heroes realize that they will deserve love only when they feel secure, and what is wanted isn’t just an affair but a true relationship. Author Caluen masters the flow of events and people just perfectly and with great insight. Let’s “… make sure we’re not mistaking drama for romance.”

 

Ordinarily, I would offer a plethora of piquant quotes from the work being reviewed – a clever (cheap?) proof of the pudding. Not here, as the style itself is so essential to full enjoyment. This is how quality gay romance for grownups should be written. Enjoy, please.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 112 pages/34K words
Heat Level
Publication Date	19-November-2022
Price	$1.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Star-Ambitions-Alexandra-Caluen-ebook/dp/B0BL27KHYR