Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Coming of Age
Author: Venona Keyes
Series: Celebrate! – 2014 Advent Calendar
Heroes: Aero & Daniel
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 32 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Akiyoshi ‘Aero’ Kurokuma, author of the wildly popular manga, Ecos, lost his assistant when his best friend retired. After Aero collapses from exhaustion four years later, he is forced to run a contest for an assistant. Placing impossible rules on the contest, Aero is sure no one can win. But a winner emerges: a young man from America, Daniel Beck. The first time he lays eyes on Daniel, Aero realizes he’ll have a hard time hiding his attraction. Daniel is a perfect assistant, but it doesn’t help Aero see past the twenty-year age difference between them. It will take all of Daniel’s charm and the prayers offered at the shrine to make Aero take a chance on the romance they both want.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package “Celebrate!”.
Review:
When popular manga artist, Aero, passes out from exhaustion, he’s forced to hire an assistant but knows there’s no way anyone could win the contest he runs for the job. Until an American named Daniel does just that. Aero might not want an assistant but he quickly changes his mind when he finds a kindred spirit in Daniel and as they spend more time together, something much more blossoms between them.
This story was sooooo cute, I just loved it! I loved that Aero was supposed to be this grouchy recluse but with Daniel around, he was much more engaging and willing to do things. It was adorable the way Aero and Daniel yearned for each other but neither of them were willing to pursue anything for their own reasons. It wasn’t until Daniel’s Coming of Age, that it gives him the courage to take things to another level with Aero.
I really liked this story because it was all about the older/younger man and apprentice/master coupling. I’m such a sucker for those. Plus, I loved that Daniel was so intrigued with Aero’s culture and wanted to experience all the traditions to the max while Aero didn’t want to BUT he did anyway because Daniel wanted to. Together, they’re so cute and I just loved them!
BUT, I wanted it to be LONGER! I wanted to see more of them and actually see them during the festivities instead of being told about it. I loved the ending but I still want to know what happens next.
In the end, a very cute and sweet story about a reclusive artist being brought a little out of his shell because of his American apprentice. I loved Aero and Daniel together and really do hope we get to see more of them one day!
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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