Review: When Was the Last Time by Kelly Jensen

Paul Summerfield is stunned by the gentle reminder it has been over a year since he and his partner, Evan Akkerman, have made love. He vows to take Evan out for Valentine’s Day. Dinner and sex. Lots of sex. There’s only one catch—he’s supposed to be in San Francisco that week cataloging the art collection of an important new client. No problem, he’ll just change his schedule and cut his trip short by a day.

In San Francisco, Paul struggles with regrets and the fear his love is slipping away from him. Every call to Evan seems only to prove the distance between them is increasing. All this, and a key piece of his client’s catalog is caught up in customs. To keep their Valentine’s date, Paul will have to choose between the career he’s built over fifteen years and the man he’s loved for just as long.

I'm a sucker for established couples. I love reading about post-HEA bliss, or the lack-thereof. 

For Paul and Evan it was neither. They were very obviously in love with each other after being together for years. But they're stuck in a routine that doesn't lend much time to spend with each other. They lost sight of each other and Paul is determined to get it back. The romance, the dates, the sex, all of it. He sets up a romantic date for them on Valentine's Day.

Unfortunately, things don't go quite as planned. Paul's entire romantic gesture falls apart at the seams and he's a little panicked. Not just that he's messed up their date, but that he's messed up everything with Evan. But they've been in love for fifteen years now and he should have known Evan better than that.

I really liked that Paul was so hellbent on making everything perfect for Evan. It was super sweet and endearing. They were totally in love, so in reality he didn't have anything to worry about, but he desperately wanted everything perfect for Evan and to make up for lost time. 

Evan's reactions were equally as cute. He wasn't demanding or pouty with Paul, but instead loving and understanding. It wasn't like Paul was just blowing him off for whatever, it was his job and Evan knew this. So, he decided to make an equally grand gesture to show his love.

It all rang very true to me.  A couple of very real guys, in a real relationship, trying to balance love and real life problems. It's what I imagine all relationships go through from time to time and Paul and Evan decided to do something about it.

I really enjoyed this short glimpse into their life. Their story made for a short, but all around satisfying read.

 A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

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