Title: One Night Ever After
Authors: Tere Michaels, Elle Brownlee, Elizah J. Davis
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: October 2, 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
Just a Drive by Tere Michaels
After weeks of flirting, “One Night” Wyatt Walsh spends a fabulous night with his shy coworker, Benji Trammell. As Wyatt tries to sneak out the next morning, he receives a call from his frantic, very pregnant best friend Raven—she needs him immediately. With no other way to get from New York City to the Pennsylvania town where Raven and her husband live, Wyatt accepts Benji’s offer to drive him there. Wary and unsure of each other, they start the trip at odds, but as time goes on, the barriers that usually keep people at a distance fail. And what started out as “just a drive” becomes a step toward romance.
Just a Stranger by Elle Brownlee
The excitement of meeting a stranger in a club can’t be beat. Loud bass sets the rhythm to Michael Wiercinski’s primal urges as he flirts with Andrew, a cute guy offering the promise of a hot night with no strings, no complications. Still, when their night is done, Michael admits there was something about Andrew that left him wanting more. Months go by with no sign of Andrew until Michael moves back home to help after his father’s heart attack. Once there, Michael is completely amazed to find Andrew Lucas living in his hometown. Despite surprising “complications” in Andrew’s life, Michael vows to take advantage of this second chance to make Andrew more than just a stranger.
Just a Weekend by Elizah J. Davis
James is a homebody in a predictable, if not altogether comfortable, rut. He’d rather stay in with a book than brave the Seattle bar scene. One night, after allowing his friend Kara to coax him out for drinks, he meets Devin—charming, gorgeous, and way out of his league. With a little bit of help from Kara, James leaves with Devin to indulge in a night together, which is as much time as he’s bound to get with a guy as hot as Devin. He doesn't expect the easy rapport that quickly develops between them, and when the weather conspires to keep them together, James wonders if this could be more than just a weekend fling
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: This is a good anthology with a loose theme of men meeting one night and what develops from it.
Why I Read this Book: I am a huge Tere Michaels' fan as she’s written one of my favorite series of all time, Faith, Love & Devotion.
Just a Drive by Tere Michaels: I wanted to like this story more than I did. Wyatt is used to picking men up for just one night and he does that with his shy coworker, Benji. But as Wyatt is trying to duck out the next morning, he gets a phone call from his best friend that she need him. Benji overhears and agrees to drive Wyatt from the City to small town Pennsylvania. Benji is so kind and Wyatt is not. Wyatt doesn’t even have to ask for things but Benji is right there to provide them, from a long drive to getting Wyatt time off work with pay. I never understood why Benji would be attracted to Wyatt and this was the story’s fail for me. I did like that the story showed Benji and Wyatt’s relationship after they both returned to the City. Still, if I’m honest I have to admit this was my least favorite of the stories in this anthology because I never understood why Benji would want Wyatt and be so willing to forgive and work with his commitment issues.
Just a Stranger by Elle Brownlee: This was my favorite of the stories. Indianapolis police detective Michael takes home Andrew from a club. When their night together is done, Michael wakes up alone but wanting to find Andrew. Michael is unsuccessful until he returns home to farm country to help his family and he’s shocked to find Andre living in his hometown—and with kids. This story has lovely romantic development. Michael and Andrew are both mature men who have lived lives and have the scars to prove it. I understood why Andrew had to give himself some emotional distance from Michael and how Michael accepts this but slowly whittles away at Andrew’s shell. The best thing about these two is they communicate! Readers are privy to their private discussions ranging from the mundane to important things like building a life together. This story isn’t the most sexually explicit but the relationship was so well developed that I didn’t miss it much. Michael’s lovely family and Andrew’s kids are also lovely components to this story that was my favorite in the anthology. I’m now going to believe that the farm country that surrounds my area is as accepting as it is in this story!
Just a Weekend by Elizah J. Davis: James doesn’t normally bring men home from a club but he does after rescuing Devin from an ex-boyfriend. A snowstorm and babysitting duties force James and Devin together for a long weekend but could this fling be more? This was my second favorite story because the men spend lots of non-sex time together. James gets roped into watching his young nieces and how Devin responds to it is light, humorous and fun. The chemistry between James and Devin is very good as their night of sex is followed by a weekend of getting to know each other while watching My Little Ponies with a cranky five year old. The author makes a great decision to continue the story after the weekend which made me enjoy the story more as it separated the forced intimacy of the snowy weekend the men spent together and the long term relationship they both were craving.
IMO: I read this anthology for one story and it ended up being my least favorite. Still, I got two stories I did enjoy so I’d recommend this anthology.
J9’s Rating:
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