MAJOR ADVANACEMENT by Andrew Grey

Fiction, Contemporary Gay Romance

3***

Blurb: Second-grade teacher Dade Saracina has had all of the military life he could possibly want. He grew up with an ambitious father who moved them all over the world, and now he just wants to put down roots. So the last thing he wants or expects is a handsome, kind, and attention-drawing army major to come to his rescue. Major Clifton Rogers loves a challenge, and he’s been curious about the quiet man who lives near him. Seeing trouble, he jumps into action, and damn near sinks into Dade’s eyes when they meet his. The attraction between them seems undeniable, but Dade keeps him at arm’s length, and once Cliff meets his father, the general, he understands why. As much as Dade resists, Cliff gets past his defenses and works his way into his life and heart. But Dade’s father has definite ideas about what his son should be doing, and he isn’t the kind of person who likes to lose or takes no for an answer. Cliff and Dade are going to need to be certain of what they want in order to stave off the general’s assault on their potential happy ending.

THOUGHTS: Dade’s father is a retired general, who tries to run his son’s life and Dade wants nothing to do with him or the military. Dade meets Cliff, who saves his life when the apartment below Dade’s is on fire. Yes, sparks fly, but unfortunately, Cliff is a West Point graduate and gay. As much as Dade doesn’t want to become involved with him, he can’t deny the pull between them. Unfortunately, Dade’s father does everything he can to come between them, including trying to get Cliff transferred and trying to move Dade to another school. The romance between Cliff and Dade is nicely done. But the best part of the story is the way Dade and his mother stand up to his father and force  him to look at the way he’s been treating the family.

Though not one of Mr. Grey’s better stories, it is a good one. Recommended.