Posted on  20/08/2024 16:06:01

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 big softy stars!!

First of all, before I start my review.... J.L. Merrow, this is for you:
respectroc nationyandel

For writing Al!!!
He R-O-C-K-S!!

What this novella is about, the blurb will give you a pretty good idea:

Cambridge art professor Larry Morton takes one, alcohol-glazed look at the huge, tattooed man looming in a dark alley, and assumes he’s done for. Moments later he finds himself disarmed—literally and figuratively. And, the next morning, he can’t rest until he offers an apology to the man who turned out to be more gentle than giant.

Larry's intrigued to find there's more to Al Fletcher than meets the eye; he possesses a natural artistic talent that shines through untutored technique. Unfortunately, no one else seems to see the sensitive soul beneath Al’s imposing, scarred, undeniably sexy exterior. Least of all Larry's class-conscious family, who would like nothing better than to split up this mismatched pair.

Is it physical? Oh, yes, it’s deliciously physical, and so much more—which makes Larry’s next task so daunting. Not just convincing his colleagues, friends and family that their relationship is more than skin deep. It’s convincing Al.


What the blurb doesn't tell you however is that it's all told from Al's POV!

I went in expecting a story about Larry, but got Al instead; and I'm telling you folks, it turned out fabulous!

Al Fletcher is simple! Simple but not dumb!! Neither retarded nor autistic; just plain simple! And not only that! He is also huge, tattooed and scarred; the perfect image of a bad-ass thug you wouldn't want to meet at any cost in a little alley after dark. But underneath all that viciousness, Al is all gentleness and kindness, honesty and sweetness! He simply took my breath away!!!

Al is the embodiment of all that's GOOD in humans! His simple way of regarding life in general should be a lesson to each and everyone of us! Because Al is honest to the core and he will never lie to you, unless that is, you call a little heartfelt deception a lie; because Al would rather eat the crappy food you made telling you it's nice, than hurt your feelings.

Al doesn't see innuendos and doesn't assume, the way most of us "smart people" do. No! Al is straightforward and will ask Why? without inviting all the extra bullshit most of us bring into our lives by making the mistake of assuming and making a mountain out of a molehill with no cause whatsoever.

Al is a soul stripped of all that armour and extra glittery layers we humans generally wrap around ourselves to look better in the eyes of others. He knows he is simple and doesn't expect anything from others. He doesn't do things for others because he knows others will always think bad about him, so he does everything because it's right and proper. Something each and everyone of us should at least try to do once in a while!!

I could go on all day talking about Al, but the whole credit here goes to the author. Because J.L. Merrow writes the story in the first person narrative from Al's POV and she totally NAILS it! There is such a thin line authors are threading when writing a story in a simple man's POV!! And few are those who manage to get it just right! This author pulls it off brilliantly and i admit, she blew me off my feet!!

In this novella we have the beauty, little posh college professor Larry, asking the hulking dangerous beast out on a date:
"Would you... Would you consider going out with someone like me?" he asked without looking at me.
"Yeah, but someone like you wouldn't go for a bloke like me." ... I got a face like a squashed potato.

And after a while you will get to notice, that the beast is not quite what you though:
"You're just a big softy inside, aren't you? Larry smiled at me.
I shrugged. If anyone else called me a softy I'd deck them, but I didn't mind Larry saying it."

A dorky college professor that everyone loves because he's small and fragile and the damsel in distress and a big hulk who will practically sweep you of your feet with his innocence, gentleness and kindness! Their story is a must read because it gives you a glimpse into the best humanity has to offer.

You have got to give this one a chance people! Who knows, you may end up loving it, just as much as I did!

Check out this book and more of J.L. Merrow on www.jlmerrow.com