Review: Starting Over by Starla Kaye

Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Length: Novella
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Blurb: A virgin gay man, Corbin is ready to ease into his new lifestyle, still, making the move scares him shitless. He’s spent years fantasizing about embracing his true self, but what possessed him to agree to a 1 NightStand? As he nears the long, lean man with shaggy, graying hair, a hard on pushing at the front of his swim trunks, and a sexy-as-hell grin, the dreams pale in comparison, and easing in takes on a whole new meaning.

Though tired of being lonely, Matt considers changing his mind about the one-night arrangement until a tall, well-built man strolls across the pool area toward him, then all thoughts of leaving flee. Those broad shoulders, the amazing pecs, the spattering of dark hair on his chest…all of it calls to Matt. He wants to touch it, play with it. He forces himself to calm down. Matt will be his date’s first male lover, and he intends to find the inner strength to take his time.

Intense physical attraction and Madame Eve’s magic ignite a sexual fire, but will it be enough for two

Reviewed by Stacey Jo: Starting Over is the twenty-seventh book in the One Night Stand series where Madame Eve arranges a one night stand between Corbin and Matt. Both men have heavy pasts that have both of them with heavy hearts and stuck in a rut. Both are successful businessmen, but both are at a point where they feel they need a change. So at the encouragement of friends, contact Madame Eve who sends them to an exotic location for one wild night.

Corbin is very nervous and can't imagine why Matt would want to be with a virgin. Matt knows about Corbin and is intrigued by his lack of experience. Both seemed to hit it off fairly well though although with this being a one night stand, they don't have a whole lot of time to talk and get to know each other. Matt is very patient with Corbin and they are very sweet and endearing to each other. I could really feel how much they cared about each other even though they had just met.

The next day, the date is arranged date is over and they go back to their separate lives, which happen to be several states apart, both being successful business owners. Neither man can get the other one out of his mind, but circumstances keep Matt away, leading Corbin to believe that Matt was over him for good. When Matt realizes Corbin's feelings, he makes a bold move to make sure Corbin knows just exactly how he feels, giving us a really sweet happily every after.

This was a really sweet story and at just under 40 pages, it can be read over a lunch break so it's definitely a quick and easy read. The characters are very likable and the story is one that could make a great longer story.

Having stated what all I liked, I'll point out what I didn't. There was one major problem that I found with the story. A character dies one certain way on page 4 and then on page 28, it is stated that they died another way. I'm sorry, in a story this short, I find it hard to believe that the author forgot how a character died within 24 pages. That to me, is sloppy. If the author changed her mind on the way the character died and fixed it in one spot but forgot to fix it in the other, then a beta reader or the editor should have caught it at the very least. But that just ripped me right out of the story. Had it not been for that, I would have rated the book an A, but I can't say that it was exceptional with that type of glaring error.

Despite the error I pointed out, the rest of the story was well written and enjoyable enough that I was willing to overlook it when looking at the book on the whole. Overall, it was a an enjoyable story with an ending that was warm and fuzzy.

B