Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Despite the Odds
Author: Chris T. Kat
Series: Odds Are #1
Heroes: Michael & Joshua
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 114 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 3, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Never judge a book by its cover.
Michael Campbell can’t hold a job for more than a few days. He’s lucky his foreman is giving him another chance with the solar panel project at an elementary school in Atlantic City. When he spies a man walking strangely in front of the school, Michael laughs, assuming he’s drunk or high. Little does he realize that Joshua Stone, a teaching assistant, has cerebral palsy, and he’s having a bad muscle control day. Taking a tumble right in front of the handsome construction worker is just his luck.
When Michael learns the truth, he feels bad for his cruel behavior. He offers to give Joshua—and his tricycle, the Racing Rhonda—a lift. Joshua accepts the help, and suddenly there’s a gorgeous man breezing into his life, turning his world upside down. But Michael has more issues than his inability to hold down a job, and neither man is sure if they’ll be able to overcome their fears in order to be together.
Review:
Michael can’t hold a job to save his life. When he’s late once again, he’s given one last chance to show he’s worth keeping. His day starting off badly, he can’t help but laugh when he sees a man stumbling, thinking the man’s most likely drunk. Michael quickly learns the man isn’t drunk but has cerebral palsy instead. Joshua’s used to being laughed at for his disability but when he falls in front of Michael, he’s beyond mortified. When his muscle control gets worse as the day goes on, Michael’s there to offer him a ride to make up for his cruel behavior. What sparks is a friendship that turns into something more. But Michael has his own issues and mixed with Joshua’s fears, will they be able to overcome their problems for a chance at being together?
I really adored this book. One thing I love is the fact that Ms. Kat isn’t afraid to write about disabled characters. So when I say this one, I knew immediately I had to read it and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely loved, loved, loved Joshua as a character. It’s a bit sad in the beginning because of Michael’s behavior but once they get passed that and start to become friends, it turns into a very sweet story. I really liked that Michael tried to make up for laughing at Joshua. I also really liked the fact that Michael had his own problems that Joshua could help with and ultimately accept. It was nice to see that while Joshua was the physically disabled one, Michael still had a disability of his own.
This was a wonderful book but I really wished it had been longer. I wanted to explore more of Michael and Joshua’s relationship and see how things progress from here. I also wish it had been a little deeper and more fleshed out so that we could have gotten to know Michael and Joshua more especially while they were building their friendship.
In the end, this was still a phenomenal story. I absolutely adored Michael and Joshua and loved the development between them. I found them sweet and adorable together and honestly hope this is not the last we see of them because I’d love to see where things go from here!
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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