Review – Alex & Clayton by John Simpson

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Description:
After quiet, closeted years working as a librarian, Clayton decides to quit his job and use his inheritance to buy a small bookstore in the gay-friendly resort town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It’s the beginning of what he hopes will be a new life free of his old repressions.

Alex, an ex-military man and former cop, decides to retire to Rehoboth and buys a house three blocks from the beach. Determined to fill his time with more than chasing hot guys, he visits the local bookstore, where he meets Clayton.

As winter sets in, the town is all but deserted, and Alex and Clayton find themselves together more than apart. Clayton would like a relationship, but his fear of coming out keeps getting in the way. Alex’s sex appeal might be enough to convince Clayton to take a chance in the open… but it will take something more to make it happen.

Alex & Clayton by John Simpson is a story about two men in their forties who find love at last. Mr. Simpson takes a different approach in telling their story. The stage is set during the first 4 chapters, where the author writes of each man’s upbringing (starting at birth). I was unsure at first, but I found that it worked fine in the end. We were able to see how each man grew into the people they were before they met.

Unfortunately, I had a hard time relating to the characters. I always hope for passion while reading a romance and was saddened to not feel it between Alex and Clayton. The dialogue tended to be repetitious. It felt over the top at times and took me out of the story. Clayton was very vocal during their sex scenes, which was out of character with his lack of experience. He was a shy guy normally and seemed to find communicating difficult. It felt too unbelievable to me.

I liked the overall plot. I love the idea of more seasoned characters. Not all love stories occur while the characters are in their 20’s. There were some very realistic scenes.

Although I was somewhat disappointed in this story, I will try another John Simpson book.

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