My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Finn spends his days building houses along the Maine coast and his evenings secretly admiring the handsome older man he sees walking a chocolate lab on Goose Rocks Beach. With his salt‑and‑pepper hair, striking blue eyes, and quiet confidence, Joel is everything Finn fantasizes about — but Finn is convinced their worlds will never intersect, and the man is probably straight anyway. Meanwhile, Joel is newly divorced and finally living openly as a gay man, though he’s unsure he’s ready for anything serious. When he hires a contractor for his home renovation, he’s surprised to find himself drawn to Finn — the muscular, soft‑spoken builder with storm‑gray eyes and a gentle steadiness that feels like comfort. Despite their mutual attraction, Joel’s nerves and Finn’s assumptions keep them circling each other carefully. Joel hasn’t been with a man in twenty years, and making the first move feels terrifying… especially when the man he wants is Finn.
I loved this story which was a tender, quietly romantic story about two men at very different stages of life finding something unexpectedly perfect in each other. Finn’s secret crush on the handsome older man with the chocolate lab is sweet and relatable, and Joel’s journey — newly divorced, newly out, and cautiously rediscovering desire — adds a lovely layer of vulnerability. Their chemistry is soft, slow‑building, and grounded in genuine connection. I especially enjoyed how the story balanced longing with gentle humour, and how both men navigated their insecurities with honesty rather than unnecessary drama. The Maine coastal setting adds a beautiful, calming backdrop to their unfolding relationship. If you enjoy age‑gap romance, small‑town charm, and characters who feel real and emotionally open, this is a warm, satisfying read. This was an MM story with mature content.
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