Wide Open Spaces (Belen’s Review)

Title: Wide Open Spaces (States of Love)
Author: Renee Stevens
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 31st 2016
Genre(s): M/M Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 98 pages
Reviewed by: Belen
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 2.8 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Devon fled Wyoming as soon as he turned eighteen, leaving behind his high school love, Levi. After six years in the big city, Devon returns to his hometown. Not much has changed, except that Levi is no longer in the closet. He’s also single and living his dream—managing the local wild horse population. Both of them are very interested in picking up where they left off, but Devon is no more ready to reveal his orientation than he was as a teenager.

No one is going to shove Levi back in the closet—not even Devon. For a relationship to work, they’ll have to put the past behind them and find the courage to face the future as who they really are—a couple in love. But Devon doesn’t know if he’s strong enough. Maybe Levi would be better off without him—and his hang-ups.

Devon Rhodes ran off to Washington six years earlier leaving behind the love of his life, Levi. Now he’s returned home to Wyoming and hopes to put the past behind him and perhaps build a new future with Levi.

When Levi returned to their hometown of Rock Springs after college he did so out and proud with a boyfriend in tow. The boyfriend’s gone now, but he’s still out…and in love with Devon.

Devon has never gotten over Levi, and wants to be with him, but is terrified of being outed. Levi is more than happy to let Devon go at his own pace, not forcing him to be “out”, but still wants to be able to spend time outside of their homes with one another.

For such a short story it seemed like it took forever for Devon to get his head out of his ass. I liked Levi, but couldn’t understand the character’s easy acceptance of Devon back into his life. Also, I’ll admit Devon’s fear of being outed just rubbed me wrong until towards the end. My biggest issue with the story, though, is that I thought it ends abruptly. I was disappointed in only getting a HFN and would have loved an epilogue or another chapter or two to hammer out a HEA.