HAPPY ENDING - L.B. Gregg
Men of Smithfield - Book 2
Aspen Mountain Press - www.aspenmountainpress.com
ISBN-13: 978-1-60168-203-1
April 2009
Erotic Gay Romance, Short Story

Smithfield, a small town in the United States - Present Day

Every Friday at two o’clock, Seth Weston has his weekly massage. On this Friday, he really needs it because of all the stress he is feeling ever since his sister died and he became the guardian to his six-year-old niece, Molly. He doesn’t have a boyfriend because his ex couldn’t deal with the new responsibilities Seth has and turned his back and ran away. All Seth wants is an hour where he can forget everything.

Seth is not pleased when his usual massage therapist will not be working on him. He has no choice but to accept David, who is the replacement. David has magical hands, and Seth can’t help but respond to David’s ministrations, which leads to an extremely “Happy Ending” from Seth. David is disgusted, though Seth is the most relaxed he has felt in a long time.

Later that night, Seth takes Molly out to dinner at his favorite restaurant. He doesn’t expect to see David, who waits on their table. David is still upset over the way Seth acted, but Seth doesn’t mind. Even though Seth thinks David is a bit too strange for his tastes, he can’t help but want more TLC from David’s hands.

One night, Seth corners David in an alley after work, and they have a hot and heavy make out session. Seth can barely control himself and wants David more than any man before. Seth wishes he didn’t feel this way about David because they are two totally different people. David enjoys life and lives in the moment. Seth has too many responsibilities and feels David doesn’t have any. Seth will be in for a few shocks when it comes to David, because he is not what Seth originally thought him to be.

David wants Seth but isn’t willing to change who he is for him. He is willing to give Seth a chance, but Seth has to work for David’s respect. As these two try to work things out, someone sends blackmail pictures to Seth of that night he shared with David in the alley. Seth must swallow his pride and ask David for help and hope that they can overcome their differences in order to have a HAPPY ENDING for them both.

Feel the need for a story where opposite attracts? L.B. Gregg has delivered such a story with HAPPY ENDING. L.B. makes sure to insert real life everyday issues into a nice romance with a touch of mystery that readers will not want to miss. And if you have been on the fence whether or not to start reading gay romance, I would recommend HAPPY ENDING as the perfect start. The conversations between the characters and the love scenes are just right.

Seth comes across as a major jerk who feels he is entitled to everything. It takes a man like David to show him that the world does not revolve around Seth. One of the great things in reading HAPPY ENDING is to watch Seth fall down a notch because of his growing feelings for David. David is truly wonderful. He is adorable and written in a way that you can’t help but smile every time he appears on the page. And the way he is with Seth will make you laugh because he tells Seth how it is.

The intimate scenes between Seth and David are nice and steamy and you wish L.B. had written a long story so we could get a few more of them. Some may be shocked by the first love scene between these two men, but it sets the tone for the need that Seth has for David.

David’s various younger brothers and sisters, as well as Seth’s niece, Molly, bring a great deal to the plot, and Seth’s ex-boyfriend and Molly’s father bring out the emotions because of their greed and selfishness.

L.B. Gregg is a rising star in the M/M romance world. For those who enjoy men finding a great love with the men who can complete them, I recommend you pick up HAPPY ENDING.

Kate Garrabrant