Guest Reviewed by Morgan
Title: Housekeeping
Author: Kim Fielding
Heroes: Nicky Hauser/Spencer Cartwright
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 98 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 13, 2013
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: When Nicky Hauser walks in on his restaurant-owner boyfriend having sex with a waiter, Nicky loses his lover, his job, and his home all in one night. Although he’s nearly thirty, he’s never settled on a true career, and he has nothing to show for his years with Tom. Depressed and unable to find work, Nicky ends up couch-surfing with friends until he lands a house-sitting gig for a wealthy family.
When Nicky’s clients discover that he loves to clean, demand for his services skyrockets. Word of mouth leads him to Spencer Cartwright, a busy computer consultant and a slob. Spencer and his wife divorced when he came out, but he’s never found the time or courage to settle down with a man. As Nicky sets Spencer’s house to rights, the two men find friendship. But Nicky’s past experiences make him wary of risking everything on love.
Review: We start the story on Nicky’s 29th birthday. He’s having a blast, living the life as a waiter/kept man with is lover of many years, Tom (his boss). Nicky goes to surprise Tom at work and discovers him banging another waiter in his office. Needless to say, he’s heartbroken, and now he’s also homeless and jobless.
With the help of his friends, he stumbles into a sort-of career as a housekeeper/house-sitter and manages to stay off the streets and is even beginning to take classes online when he meets Spencer.
Spencer initially hires him for a two week stint as a housekeeper/sitter, but then is so impressed with his work and has such a big house, he offers Nicky a room if he’ll stay and keep his house full time.
They live together as friends and employer/employee for months, slowly growing to appreciate the other as people, but never crossing any romantic lines. Until… Nicky turns 30 and invites Spencer along. They share a drunken kiss and Spencer wants to take things farther, but Nicky stops him, not wanting to ruin what they already have.
So, though it pains them both, they remain friends and platonic roommates. Until… Thanksgiving. While surrounded by friends and family, Nicky realizes just what he might be throwing away and decides he has to let love guide the way.
**
Kim Fielding is an amazing writer. She is so gifted with her use of humor, tenderness, word choice, character development… the list goes on and on.
I really admire her ability to tell a big story with a few words. Though this is not as “deep” as some of her other stories (Brute, Speechless, etc.), it is just as touching. Both MCs are so lonely and scared, and when they do finally come together, you really and truly believe they have what it takes to make it.
I particularly loved the “reveal” where Nicky finally realizes what he’s missing in Spencer.
“It just occurred to me that a man isn’t measured by what he does for a living and where he lives. It’s who he loves that matters, and who loves him. And I’m feeling very, very thankful to have you all in my life.”
Sigh.
So wonderful.
I highly recommend this short book about love and cleaning and give it 4.5 of 5 stars.
Overall Impression: I loved it!
*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*
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