Too Soon For Love by Kimberly Gardner

Michael Striker’s world falls apart when his longterm lover, Phillip Di Martino, passes away, leaving him to cope with the world on his own despite his blindness. However, regaining his independence is proving difficult since Phillip’s relatives are smothering him with love and are treating him like a helpless child.

Michael is befriended by Alan Stuart, a nurse’s assistant who helped look after Phillip, and he is surprised to find he is becoming attracted to the other man despite his grief. Alan has had feelings for Michael since the moment they first met but didn’t act upon them since the timing was all wrong. Determined to be there for Michael, Alan continues to keep his attraction secret but his vow is put to the test when he discovers that Phillip had secrets of his own. Secrets that will hurt Michael.

Kimberly Gardner is a new author to me and one I’ll certainly be reading again. Too Soon For Love pacts an emotional punch in describing Michael’s grief when he loses his lover. Michael’s thoughts and feelings as he struggles to come to terms with his grief and his subsequent attraction to Alan are portrayed realistically.

We get to meet Phillip through Michael’s memories and while there is no doubt the love was there, we are also made aware of just how much Michael is losing his independence along the way. There are also hints that not all was well in Michael and Phillip’s relationship which is a refreshing change from the dead partner who was so perfect no one could ever hope to reach his standards theme. This is all achieved very subtly by “showing” the reader rather than “telling” the reader. Something a lot of authors fail to do.

Both Michael and Alan are likeable characters and well developed. As Michael has to learn to cope on his own, Alan’s supportive behaviour is in direct contrast to that of the Di Martino family who try to do everything for Michael instead of encouraging him to do it himself. Alan is also faced with a major dilemma when he discovers Phillip’s infidelity and chooses to keep it to himself when he could’ve easily revealed the truth to his own advantage but he cares too deeply for Michael to cause him pain. Of course, the truth always comes out in the end.

While they do have sex early on in the story, Michael pulls back as he thinks it is too soon for another relationship and both men try to move on with mixed results. Alan tries to have a series of one night stands but his heart really isn’t in it and he’s never been that kind of guy anyway. He continues to pine for Michael until their paths inevitably cross again.

It takes a long time for Alan and Michael to get to the point where they can commit to each other but the end is a satisfying one as Michael puts the past behind him and embraces his future with Alan.

Rating: ★★★★★★

Available from MLR Press.