The Remaking of Corbin Wale

I received a galley of this book from Riptide Publishing via NetGalley, though this has not influenced my thoughts or opinions of this book.

Wow, this book blew me away. I've recently read all of Roan Parrish's Middle of Somewhere series, and enjoyed it (though some books were better than others). This book felt so richly layered with a touch of mysticism* that the book felt reminiscent of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, Nuts by Alice Clayton, and the first book in the Middle of Nowhere series. All that said, the book still felt fresh and new.

Alex was such a likable and empathetic main character, especially with how gentle and empathetic he felt toward Corbin. It was nice to see their friendship/relationship develop over time and with repeated interactions. No insta-love here. I also loved that Alex had strong feelings about Thanksgiving and how problematic a holiday it is, and the nod to his Jewish heritage with Chanukah. Parrish didn't give it lip service but instead made it a strong feature of the second half of the book, and I thought it was very well done.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this one. Excited to see if Gareth and Orin have a book next!

* SpoilerAlthough it's presented as a mysticism and fantastical element, I thought that some of Corbin's actions seemed representative of neurodiversity.

DNF - PG 21

Why?

Because Alex is really creeping me tf out.

Let me give you a little context and background, first. I went into this book, loving it. It has been on and off my list since probably its release in 2017. It was available first on Kindle Unlimited, so it went on my list. Then it was taken off KU, so I removed it. Then my library got it as an ebook, so back it went. Then my library no longer had it, so it came back off my list. Then my library got it as an audiobook and I have been listening to so many audiobooks this month that I thought this was the perfect time to finally read what promised - to me - to be a cute, soft little romance in the manner of a Hallmark movie.

And considering that I find most of the male love interests in the Hallmark movies that I have seen to be rather creepy, I guess I was more right than I expected. (Likely would not have even made it this far into the book if I'd had a different audiobook on my phone while I was exercising this morning but it was either this or listening to nothing, so I listened so I made a few more pages instead of pulling the plug when I first wanted to. Probably around page 12.)

So, Alex. Three chapters into the book and every chapter has been from his perspective. I'm guessing little to none of the book will be told from Corbin's perspective. It might have helped to show that Corbin was just as much of a lustful budding stalker as Alex was, but, as it is, Alex is out there in this realm all by himself.

At the point when I stopped the book, Alex was in the middle/end of the first real conversation he has had with Corbin. Prior to this, they've exchanged a handful of words at a time, mostly of the ‘Hi, what can I get you today?' variety because Corbin has been a return customer to the bakery Alex has taken over for his mom. So, the have spoken a little, but entirely superficial, customer service conversation that you get in everyday life that are irrelevant and mean nothing. Probably a total of five conversations.

So, the two scenes that made me totally bow out of this book are as follows.

Alex gives Corbin a fresh slice of bread as a snack. Watching Corbin eat makes Alex fantasize about putting Corbin on his knees and getting a blowjob from him. (Pretty sure this is the second day that Alex has seen Corbin.)

Alex sits down across from Corbin and watches him. Starts to fantasize about him. Likens Corbin's lips to a bruised peach and wants to shove his fingers in Corbin's mouth. (Pretty sure this is the very next day.)

There's also a strange fascination that Alex seems to have about Corbin being shorter and thinner than he is - and with all the specific forms the fantasizing has taken, I cannot help but to think that this is ‘better to subjugate'. Alex also does not let anyone forget that Corbin is a little wild looking, was bullied in high school - in all the usual ways slender boys are - and then his ears look a little like a fairy's.

Either Corbin is something not human - in which case Alex is super objectifying and exoticizing him (and it's something I'm not interested in) - or Corbin is 100% human - in which case Alex is super objectifying and exoticizing him (and I an only guess that Alex will try to keep him a little wild and fairy-like which is creepy).

So, yeah.

Also, I was going to give a little disclaimer that, you know, I only read twenty pages, maybe I had a kneejerk reaction to Alex, typical me stuff when I don't know if I was the issue and maybe I'm just too sensitive - then I went and read some of the one star reviews and I found out that Alex actually goes and gets worse and I am seriously not here for this creepy ass whatever fetishizing and I am so glad that I am as kneejerk-y and sensitive to this stuff as I am otherwise I would have kept reading and just bleh.

I really enjoyed Corbin and Alex's love story. I forgot that this was even a holiday story because I was so invested in them as individuals and as a couple. I am a huge fan of Roan Parrish and they did not disappoint in The Remaking of Corbin Wale. This is a story that will be on my re-read list for every holiday season.

This book made my heart happy. I enjoy romance in books but I usually don't love romance books. This pleasantly surprised me because the characters were lovable, it was kind of witchy, and while there was some tension, it didn't exactly follow the predictable formula that a lot of romantic novels follow.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I thought I would like this book more than I did. Roan Parrish has a beautiful writing style, and I'm a sucker for the “lonely misfit finds love” trope. Parrish creates a memorable character in Corbin Wale, and my heart broke for him several times as he displayed his resigned expectations that everyone he met would either ignore or tease him. However, I couldn't help feeling that there was a power imbalance between him and Alex, and it bothered me in a way I couldn't ignore. Supposedly Alex is in a vulnerable spot too - he has lost his lover and his job in New York City - but as soon as he moves to Ann Arbor everything goes smoothly for him. His new bakery cafe is an instant success, he has a great relationship with his mom and her boyfriend, he rescues his best friend from a bad relationship, and he is perfectly, unerringly patient and understanding about Corbin's eccentricities. I wanted to see a little more growth or change in Alex or maybe a flaw or two; he's like the Prince Charming who rescues the princess in the forest.

There are two secondary characters in the novel who seem poised to get their own story, so hopefully we'll get a chance to see Alex and Corbin again, even if it's in a supporting role. I'd love to see a sequel in which Corbin has come into his own enough to stop being constantly grateful to Alex and get grouchy or bitchy about something.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.