5 out of 5 stars
Ebook. 1st edition. 46 pages. Published December 1st 2018 by Dreamspinner Press
Blurb:
Tony Gatti had his life planned: get his veterinarian license and go to work with his dad and uncle. Soon after achieving his goals, he learned the shadows and blurriness in his vision went beyond needing glasses. Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic mutation with no cure. With his sight almost gone, he moves into his grandmother’s St. Augustine, Florida, home with his guide dog, Raven, to start life over. Nonna Concetta thinks she knows the perfect job for him. Her vet is looking for someone to destress the cats at a local rescue.
Javier didn’t plan to hire a cute former veterinarian to fill the role of cat cuddler, but Tony couldn’t be more perfect. Worried his attraction is inappropriate and knowing the holiday season always depresses him, Javier wonders if he should ask Tony out, or if he’d just be spreading the gloom to someone who already has enough of his own. But if he takes the plunge, could it turn out to be the best holiday ever?
A Story from the Warmest Wishes: Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar
Likes:
- Tony and Javier.
- All the animals.
- Nonna Concetta.
- Tony’s attitude toward his blindness.
- Javier’s feelings towards his family.
- So much food.
Dislikes:
- Javier could have been better fleshed out.
- The story made me want a kitten.
I don’t know why I waited for so long to read this story. As an animal lover and pet owner, this story was right up my alley. All the animals were adorable. So adorable I wanted to go find a kitten to pet. But I can’t, because then I’d want to take the kitten home and I already have two cats.
I also wouldn’t mind adopting Nonna Concetta. She’s perfectly geeky, completely accepting, and can cook a feast. There’s nothing not to like, and I’d love to see more characters like her. On the other hand, Javier’s family is lacking the same acceptance. The pain Javier went through was real, and I thought he handled it very well. His decisions were mature, even though they cost him personally.
Both Javier and Tony were great guys with big hearts. It’s hard to think of a vet who isn’t a soft touch. Tony might not have been able to practice because of his eyesight, but he showed his compassion for the kittens and cats in his care. Not to mention how well he treated his seeing eye dog, Raven.
The relationship between the men was fast but cute. It worked for the story. I’m glad there wasn’t a ‘one year later’ ending, because their relationship was just starting. I could definitely see a second story being released about these two. In fact, I’d love a second story. This couple is definitely worth it.
Even with all the romance going on, the story didn’t shy away from the realities of Tony’s condition. It wasn’t glossed over, and Tony’s reactions to his own dwindling eyesight made me alternatively happy and sad.
If there’s anything I have to complain about, it’s that Javier was less fleshed out than Tony. I wish Javier’s point of view had gotten more page time. I also wanted to know a little more about Javier in general.
Overall, the presence of the animals makes the story really stand out. I’m a sucker for pets in romance books. And while the reader didn’t see anything more than some kissing, the story was more than just fluff.
Find the Warmest Wishes anthology review here and the full list of stories here.
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