Title: The First Morning After
Author: Marie Lark
Publisher: Loose ID
Release Date: June 6, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Page Count: 2015 kindle locations
Reviewed by: Vallie
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Blurb:
For as long as he can remember, Danny Rojas has wanted all-star first baseman Mitchel Finch. And he could swear that in high school, Mitchel was maybe interested, too. But the baseball team made Danny’s life a living hell back then, and the moment he was able, he got out. Five years later at a friend’s wedding, Danny finally has the chance, and more importantly, the courage, to act on his years-long crush.
Mitchel Finch used to have it so good–a brilliant athlete with lots of friends, a gorgeous girlfriend, and a place of importance in his home town. All he had to do was play it straight. But when an injury ends his baseball career, and his best friend’s wedding reminds him of everything he lost, Mitchel jumps at the opportunity Danny gives him–a night to be honest with himself. A night to finally feel wanted for exactly who he is.
The trouble is, neither of their circumstances has changed by morning. Mitchel is still closeted, and Danny is still the town pariah. Can a connection, building for years and forged in one night, survive the first morning after?
A little conflicted here.
Danny left his small town in Philly straight after high school to finally be free of the racist and homophobic attitudes. Boy do I love me some “came-back-as-the cool-guy-to show-off-to-the-small-town-losers” stories! So Danny came back for his best friend’s wedding only to find he’s sitting next to none other than former baseball hunk and the crush to end all crushes, Mitchell. *not a great fan of the name but okay*
Mitchell, who is apparently not so straight, is in turn crushing on his best friend, the groom.
Umm…awkward…
Long story short, Mitchell decides that Danny is convenient, hot, and an excellent way for Mitchell to try and forget his crush. So they hook up in Danny’s motel room. The hook-up is not hot. Mitchell’s sexual experiences with men have been limited to bathroom hook-ups with men he did not necessarily fancy all that much. He’s used to sleazy. He’s used to ugly. He’s used to not even taking his clothes off. So he does the same thing with Danny.
And Danny…is NOT impressed.
That, naturally, causes Mitchell’s competitive streak to come forth and what started as a quickie after the wedding ends up being a looooong weekend of hooking up with the potential of a relationship in the end.
The writing was okay and the story had backbone, especially with Mitchell coming to terms with who he is and standing up to his bully friends but the whole thing took place over a weekend with a tentative HFN in the finish line. I am not sure if there will be a follow-up to this but if not, I was left wanting.
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