Brief Encounters

Title: Treasured Possessions
Author: Stevie Woods
Length: 5,900 words (22 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: C+

Blurb:

Trevor is shocked to find that there has been a break-in at his apartment. Some valuables are missing, but even more devastating for Trevor is items of little monetary value but which mean the world to Trevor have been damaged. Trevor finds it hard to cope with what has happened and if it wasn’t for the support of his friend, Eric, he doesn’t know what he would do. Thanks to the break-in, and Eric, Trevor learns which of his possessions he truly treasures.

Review:

This is a cute little friends to lovers story, that begins with Trevor’s discovery of a break-in at his apartment. His long-time friend Eric is there to help him through the trauma, especially of the loss of things like a rare picture of his parents who died when Trevor was a teenager. Eric knows he’s in love with Trevor but has never said anything for fear of harming their friendship, although he had pulled away from Trevor for a time, but they were now rebuilding their former close friendship.

As Eric comforts him, some unintentionally murmured words of support, have Trevor realizing that he loves Eric. He then starts to think about how he can tell Eric, and get a relationship started. Both men were likable, everyday kind of guys, although I got the impression from Eric, that Trevor was rather fragile, emotionally, if not physically, in part due to the unusual relationship he had with his archeologist parents and their untimely deaths.  I did think that the fact that Eric had pulled away somewhat was realistic. When you first realize that you love someone you are sure doesn’t love you back,  your first instinct is probably to stay away, and therefore not give yourself away or just rub salt in your own wound.  Plus they were coworkers in stressful jobs which contributed to the breakdown.

Once Trevor decides he wants Eric, and he becomes aware of all of the loving things Eric has done for him, he sets out to get his man. In the guise of a celebratory dinner once his apartment is finally put to rights, and his stolen possessions replaced, he sets out to seduce Eric and it doesn’t take very long for Eric to get the point and they are off and running.

If you’re in the mood for something light and sweet, with a friends to lovers theme this is a good choice. It’s not something I may pick-up again, but it was a very pleasant read while it lasted.