Brief Encounters

Title: Fair Puckled
Author: Bella Leone
Length: 5,200 words (19 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m contemporary
Rating: B

Blurb:

When Jackson Stuart accompanies a professor on a research trip to Scotland for the Highland Games, he is thrilled to see the majestic country he has only ever read about in books. The one thing his books haven’t prepared him for is the stunning ginger warrior who wants to welcome Jackson to Scotland in the very best way. When he gets a true taste of the warrior, he may never go home to Boston.

Review:

This is a cute “just getting started” story with a lot of local colour. Jackson’s grandparents came from Scotland decades ago and he’s thrilled to get the chance to act as his advisor’s assistant and garner a trip to Scotland where they are trying to find connections between the ancient Olympics and the Highland Games. His first day he literally runs into a tall hottie and then sees him again when he’s out at a pub, however the guy seems to disappear each time. The day of the games he follows the guy into the bathroom and gets caught staring as he used the urinal and before long he’s finding the advantages of a kilt and no underwear.

It’s a short story and really the two men only get together near the end, before that you find out a bit about Jackson and his career aspirations and his family background. There are a few coincidences which could cause an arched eyebrow for some, but I know the world is sometimes a very small place, especially in academia. This is also written in present tense. It’s quite well done and I didn’t have too much trouble getting into it, even though it’s not my favourite tense.

Still, on the whole, I really enjoyed the touches of local colour of the games and Jackson’s absolute awe at being in the country of his ancestors and also how he’s thrown off a bit by the handsome Highlander to who takes him in hand. Besides, who can resist hot men in kilts. Definitely a fun short read when you are in the mood for some accents.