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My Review:Title: The Remaking of Corbin Wale
Author: Roan Parrish
Published by: Indie
Release Date: March 23, 2018
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 222
Genres: Romance, LGBT, Holiday, Contemporary Fantasy
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:
Blurb:Love is the real magic ...
Last month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.
Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.
When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he’s ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they’ve always longed for.
The Remaking of Corbin Wale is a magical holiday romance that is my M/M romance take on Practical Magic.
4 stars — I settled into this one pretty quickly, and found I was fascinated by the atmosphere surrounding Corbin, and the way he saw the world.
Alex was super easy to like — he was kind, caring, but also a take charge kind of guy. I loved all the little baking tidbits, and even though I’m with Gareth that the name is stupid, I loved how his little bakery gave him so much joy. Mostly, though, I really loved that he actually *saw* Corbin, and that he didn’t let anyone else sway him on what he wanted.
Corbin was so odd…almost childlike because of the way in which he was raised, and the way his senses sort of shaped him. I ached for his fear over the curse, but I loved that he still tried to hold on to hope and search for a solution. He was endearing, and cautious, but so genuine.
And obviously they were pretty sweet (and hot) together. I loved the way they almost pined for one another, and tried to work their way towards one another.
The magic was super unique — it wasn’t overt. In some ways you could almost write it off as just Corbin’s imagination. It was more like extra senses or something. I loved the way it was presented, and how it wove into the story.
I also really loved all the little Chanukah elements woven into the story — even though Alex didn’t practice the religion, I loved learning more about the story and how he saw the festival of lights. It made me want to know more!
Obviously Gareth was fun and cheeky, and I really want to know if he has his own story, b/c it felt like it was setting up for something.
I kind of wish we’d had more closure on what happened with Corbin’s aunts. Like, there’s a part of me that totally understands why there isn’t more, but my need to have ALL the answers is really chafing at me over all of that.
In the end this was a great story to end 2020 with. It was unique and magical.
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