Title : Rainbow Connection Word Count:39,000
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Blurb:Two men, one with a past, and one determined to give them a future, together.
Mick Flanagan has kept himself hidden since his only lover died three years ago. He works at night, keeps to his routine, has impressive facial hair, and avoids contact with other people. Enter Ceri Llewellyn, with his constantly changing rainbow-coloured hair, who seems determined to talk to him. Gradually, Mick tells his story and begins to trust Ceri, but Mick has a past that contains more than just a dead lover. Can Ceri show him that he deserves to be loved and, above all else, help him find his true self?
My Review: When we are first introduced to Mick Flanagan, a picture is painted of a lonely, desolate man. Mick is a man who has experienced the loss of his partner Alfie and has totally shut down. It is clear to see that he has OCD issues and he follows strict routines as a coping mechanism. He has allowed his grief to block him off from humanity. He lives in an almost silent world with very few friends, his books and his dvds. He works as a security guard where he observes everything on the complex. That’s where he first sees the delivery guy with the rainbow coloured hair.
When Ceri Llewellyn first meets Mick he is very intrigued by the quiet man and invites him out. Ceri is very attracted to Mick who looks like a mini ‘bear’ with his beard and his hairy arms. Ceri is very outspoken and he is determined to coax Mick out of his shell. He finally gains a toe hold with Mick when he finds out he is passionate about the Doctor Who series. A connection is sparked and Ceri uses this to his advantage. He invites Mick to go away with him so that they can go to a museum of sorts filled with Doctor Who memorabilia.
There is just something about Ceri that gets Mick to open up and finally be himself. Mick gains new insights about himself, things he couldn’t pursue while he was with Alfie. Ceri exposes Mick’s dominant possessive alpha side and for the first time Mick really wants to explore and embrace this new part of himself. They get along great the few days they are away and their sexual chemistry is super hot and something neither has ever experienced with anyone else.
Their budding relationship comes to a screeching halt when Ceri pushes Mick to put away some of Alfie’s things and inject pieces of himself in his own home. Ceri is definitely not wrong, because he is on the outside looking in and sees that Mick’s house is almost a shrine to his dead lover Alfie.Mick tosses Ceri out of his home and possibly his life. It is when he meets up with his old friend Sally that she gives him the same perspective as Ceri. Mick knows he overreacted and he knows he needs some help to come to terms with his grief and his OCD tendencies.
Mick and Ceri make up and their lovemaking is as hot as ever. Even though they are taking things slowly , they decide to be committed to each other and get married eventually . They become the rock they both need and encourage each other in all aspects of their lives. Their love is relatively new, but it is clear to see that it will be longstanding. I give this my ratings of 4 – lose the underwear.
Gay Romance-opposites attract 