Book Review: Bending the Iron by Libby Drew

Title: Bending the Iron
Author: Libby Drew
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: August 19, 2013 by Carina Press

Michael feels trapped. In his conservative, poor hometown where he has to keep his sexuality hidden. In his dead-end job. In caring for his alcoholic grandfather. Everything changes when he meets Eric, the new curator for the railroad museum. His curiosity about the passionate man quickly gives way to an intense attraction—one that Eric happily returns.

Carefree and refreshingly confident, Eric guides Michael to places he's forgotten, reminding him that it may not be too late to follow his dreams for something more in life. But the truth is, Eric knows exactly how it feels to be stuck in a bad situation. A failed relationship has left him with personal demons that may hurt his connection with Michael.

To give their future a chance, they both must fight being trapped in the past.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Enjoyable romance with good characters but I didn’t understand why the grandfather suddenly changed allowing Michael to change his life.

The Set Up: Michael is trapped in his life working a dead-end job, hiding his sexuality and caring for his alcoholic grandfather. Eric is the new restorer for the railroad museum and is a breath of fresh air into Michael’s life. But Michael isn’t sure he’s ready to make a life change.

Why I Read this Book: This synopsis caught my attention and Carina Press has published many of the MM romance I’ve enjoyed recently.

What I Liked: I liked Michael and Eric. Michael is stuck in his life and feels old at twenty-six. Eric is just getting out of a difficult relationship and is trying to enjoy life. These two have an immediate sexual connection but Eric’s unease with an emotion-less sexual relationship is the catalyst for Michael deciding he’s ready to try an emotional relationship. I love when Eric takes Michael on his first ever vacation for a long weekend as it serves to deepen the men’s emotional intimacy. I also enjoy that neither Michael nor Eric have all the answers to their lives. They both admit to each other their doubts and apprehensions but also a desire to live more meaningful lives. This romance is well written and just the perfect length as any longer may have dragged.

What I Also Liked: I also liked the theme of trains in this long novella. I know it seems a bit silly but I liked it. Eric is in town to restore the railroad museum’s miniature trains since the town was once a hub for railroad production. Michael has been fascinated by trains his entire life as has Eric so it provides a way for the men to begin talking but it develops into a passion for them both. The train theme wasn’t heavy-handed but was a nice, gentle backdrop to this romance.

What I Didn’t Like: The fail for me in this book was Michael had spent nearly ten years caring for his alcoholic grandfather so he couldn’t go to college or have a life of his own. But then suddenly the grandfather changes and Michael can too. This didn’t seem realistic and irritated me a bit since it was a pivotal factor in the romance and Michael’s character development. Still, it didn’t ruin the book for me, just made me sigh a bit at how easy it made everything.

IMO: I enjoyed this gentle romance about everyday men finding love together even if it was a tad contrived to let them have their HEA.

 

J9’s Rating:

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