Yes, Darling

by Dawn Kimberly Johnson

Baker Brockton’s lover, Coby Darling, left town last year because Baker was afraid to come out and admit Coby was more than a friend. Baker’s been miserable ever since, but now Coby’s home for the holidays, and Baker thinks they might have a chance until Coby hints that he might move back to town if Baker can give him what he wants. Baker is furious about another ultimatum—is he willing to compromise if it means they’ll be together?

Genres: M M Romance, Christmas, Short Stories, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance, Gay

29 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2012

About the author

Dawn lives in Huntington, West Virginia, and graduated from the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications at Marshall University. An avid reader and storyteller since childhood, she was first published by Dreamspinner Press in 2009, shortly after discovering a delightful appetite for gay romantic fiction. Her interests include writing, seeking full civil rights for the LGBTQ community, drawing, and playing silly Facebook games. You can connect with Dawn at her author page at Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/aut...

Reviews

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coby is home for Christmas after being gone for a year. Baker his (ex) lover has been missing him and loves him, but doesn't want to risk 'coming out'. The turn-around was whip-lash inducing and I know Baker tells us why, but I wish I had 'felt' it with him.
The story is told from Baker's POV and it was sweet and romantic it was just too short to get any real feeling from the characters.

[Serena Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if you are too scared to come out of the closet, and the man you love leaves the state to start up a life elsewhere? What if this same man then returns one Christmas and you have to confront him – as well as your own fears?

That is what happens to Baker. He has just about managed to settle for a "pretend straight life", get his business going, and is managing to hold on. When Coby returns it is a shock. Not just because Coby is temptation incarnate for Baker, but because the situation forces him to acknowledge a few things. He still loves Coby. He misses him more than he is willing to admit. He is scared to death of coming out, and the personal as well as the professional consequences.

Coby is well aware of Baker's fear. He walked away from his home down because he couldn’t bear it anymore. He came back because he still hasn’t given up, and he now has a potential job in the small town where Baker lives. He just cannot bear the idea of moving there only to be ignored by Baker.

If you like reunions and all the heartache and joy they can bring with them, if you like reading about a man who seriously needs to re-examine his priorities, and if you're looking for a short, sweet read with a little angst, you may like this short story.




NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story didn't speak to me. The main storyline was sweet and romantic, but it felt unfinished and it wasn't as developed as it should be. From the start I had an impression as if something is missing and because of that I couldn't connect with the main couple.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about two reunited lovers. I don't have a lot to say about it - it was short, simple, and enjoyable. I have a little crush on Coby, myself. Ultimately the story is about choosing between fear of the unknown or taking a risk to be happy.

[Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~~

Quick paced with enjoyable writing and cute characters.

Just a snappy holiday delight.

Enjoy :)

[Ami · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Bleh. Just too short (and too fuzzy) for characters with history between them.

[Nikyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, sweet story about second chances where Coby comes back to Baker after a year's separation in hopes Baker's views on living openly have changed. Unfortunately, they haven't but with a little encouragement from his mom, Baker realizes some things aren't as important as love is.

I really liked these characters. Because the story is so short, we don't get much on them aside from a brief recap of their previous relationship. They are interesting characters but I really wish the story was longer so we could see how Baker is affected by coming out. As it is, this feels more like a scene or two than a short story but it was still enjoyable and left me with a smile.

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I thought this was cute, I think I would have liked a little bit more to it in order for it to be great. Coby and Baker were together and Baker couldn’t/wouldn’t tell even his family that they were together. They were best friends and Coby wanted to be proud to be together, not some dirty secret. Baker wasn’t going for that and they broke up with broken hearts. Coby coming back for the man he loves is seen by Baker as an ultimatum and I wanted to slap him. You lost him once, don’t do it again. Coby has been true to who he is. It’s a very short story, so it’s more of the beginning of their next chapter.

[Sucajo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a case of absence makes the heart grow fonder. Baker and Coby had separated a year ago as Baker refused to come out to their friends and families. A series of events, including some good advice from his mother, combine to make Baker consider what he really wants. Baker and Coby made a sweet couple but I wish the story had been just a little longer so it could have dealt more with some of the issues that were raised.

[m. ✨ On Hiatus ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't feel the connection between the main characters. There seemed to something missing, and I don't think the love between Baker and Coby was portrayed convincingly. To me, they never really acted like (former) lovers, just close friends who fooled around in the past.

[Morgana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story of letting love be the most important thing.

[Tailtiu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Anke · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars
Too short and too superficial.

[Mistral · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Isabel]

Second chance et Noel. I'm a sucker for those. Oubliable mais sympa.

[melek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coby and baker have been in love but baker couldn't come out so coby left, but now his back wanting another a chance will baker give him that chance this time.

[Dutchgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, quick Christmas story.

[OkayKim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short!

[Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a nice heartwarming story. Christmas lights blinking on and tangling, hot cocoa, and a HEA for BB and Coby.

[Chad James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Star Rating