Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Saint Martin’s Day
Author: Kim Fielding
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Neno & Toby
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 31 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Five years ago, Neno Kova fled California, graduate school, and his lover, Toby Cowan, to return to his native Croatia. Since then, he’s led a quiet life as a librarian—until one November afternoon when Toby, who has never stopped loving Neno, shows up in Zagreb. When he left the United States, Neno wasn’t ready to give up his home and family to take a chance on a long-distance relationship. But Saint Martin’s Day has arrived, the day pressed grapes turn to wine and autumn turns to winter. Perhaps it will be a day when other changes are possible as well.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.
Review:
It’s been five years since Neno left Toby and school in California to return home to Croatia. Five years since Neno has led a quiet life as a librarian but when Toby reappears in his life, Neno is beyond conflicted. He’s left with a choice: embrace who he is and take another chance on a life with Toby or live in the closet forever. So, when Saint Martin’s day arrives, Neno takes a chance and brings Toby along to experience the holiday.
There’s not many stories set in Croatia so when I saw this one, I was intrigued about it. I loved that after so long, the feelings between Toby and Neno were still so strong. I also liked that Neno didn’t just jump into Toby’s arms and ride off into the sunset. He was conflicted over Toby being there and what it would mean for his life. I also LOVED that Toby essentially went and fought for Neno and showed him that even years later, Neno still meant so much to him.
This was a sweet story but I wanted it to be LONGER! I really liked that Toby went all the way to Croatia to get Neno back but I wanted to see more of them together but also of how Neno’s whole family took them being together and not just his mother. I wanted to see what happened next and if that would change anything.
All in all, though, this was still a lovely story. I adored the fact that Toby loved Neno enough to take a chance of going to a foreign country to get him back. I also liked that Neno still loved Toby even though it had been years. I wish it had been longer but it’s still a great little story.
Overall Impression: I liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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