Ami's Hoard

3.5 stars

At 29 years old, Austin still likes to party hard, can't keep a permanent job, can't wake up early in the morning (his lateness is one of the reasons that he can't keep his jobs), don't know how to do laundry right, and sometimes must resort to ask for financial help from dear old Dad. While Ben, Austin's father right hand man, is only three years older than Austin, but is more solid and financially secure. Although Ben is also lonely, don't have many friends, and don't have enough adventures to color his life. So Austin asks Ben to help him to be a grown-up ... and later realizes that he wants Ben more than just a life mentor.

As always, Kim Fielding's writing is comfortable. This is a lovely opposite-attract type of story. Despite his somewhat less than mature way of life, Austin is pretty likeable. Yes, I admit, there were times that I wanted to throttle him, especially when he screws up yet again -- but Austin is actually "people smart", his supervisors like him (except for his tardiness) and he has good creative ideas. So he's not total failure. I also like Ben ... maybe because he feels closer to me as a character (I also don't like to stay up late, or go out to parties, or eat out at new/trendy/popular restaurants -- I'm pretty much boring girl *lol*)

So yes, I was loving how Austin and Ben's relationship progresses. I loved the way Austin steadily learned to be more responsible and dependable. I sure did love Austin's father as well.

Unfortunately, the ending feels WAY too rushed for my liking. This is a kind of story in which I want a good, satisfying, happy-ending closure for both men because I was invested with their life from the get-go. So the way that everything concluded in such manner -- what, barely 2 pages?? -- made me pout hard in frustration.

PS: With all due respect for the author and the cover artist ... this cover is horrible!