Review: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back by Joe Cosentino

On Cozzi Cove at the New Jersey shore, handsome Cal Cozzi’s seven bungalows are open for summer and love.

Mario and Harold are brothers and college students who happen to look alike, but couldn’t be more different: Mario is searching for love, and Harold is searching for lust. Josh and Greg, a wealthy older couple, are matchmakers for their son, Christopher.

When it comes to Connor, the maid, packed with muscles and a roving sponge, anything can happen. Opposites attract as wild Tim with the secret past meets shy Mark, and porn star Chuck Caliber connects with Sean, a virgin romance novelist.

And what will happen when computer-game designer Arthur has a midnight sea rendezvous with a merman? Even married Cal faces an emotional upheaval when a gay bashing turns into something quite unexpected.

What secrets and passions lie in magical Cozzi Cove?



"Greg took in a deep breath to clear his head. "We've been wondering. I guess now we know. Christopher is straight. Which is fine. We have straight friends." 
"It's different when it's your own son." Josh unpacked their things, putting them away in the closet and bureau. 
"How did this happen?" Greg followed him around the room. 
Josh threw a hanger at his husband. "You played football with him in the backyard when he was a kid. And you bought him a GI Joe doll for Christmas." 
Greg smiled in recollection. "The GI Joe doll was hot.""
This. This is why I love Joe Cosentino's words. This author has a unique writing style that falls within the boundaries of satire and parody. I think I've compared its essence before to the Carry On films, and as I read this story I was once again reminded of this comparison. The humour is full of double entendres and tongue in cheek wit. I can't help but grin my way through his novels.

But.

But.

Beneath the comings and goings and toings and froings and sex and arguments and innuendo are real issues. Coping with the death or illness or betrayal. Learning to love. Hoping. Yearning. Becoming different. Growing. Accepting.

Joe Cosentino writes a novel that could be taken at surface value. It could be read as a humorous story and totally enjoyed in that way. When I read his stories though I see more.

""This isn't Peter Pan," Josh replied, squeezing his husband's hand. "We don't need anyone to believe in us, except us.""

I see a truth not to be ignored. Experience and understanding. Whilst at first glance it easy to see the parody, the rest is there, squeezing its way in under the guise of humour, sex and innuendo. There is not another writer of which I can think of offhand who can have several couples all declaring love after knowing each other for a week without rolling my eyes. Joe Cosentino gets away with it though. Somehow it just fits - kinda like a puzzle I guess, all the parts slot together to make the whole, no matter how obscure they may appear individually.

Though I happen to have chosen two quotes from the same couple, this book is about Cal Cozzi and the holiday bungalows he owns in Cozzi Cove. It's about the guests and locals over a one week period - and if I took it apart and inspected each individual element I would be the first to say Nope, no Siree, this story will not work. And yet it does. This author is yet to disappoint me with his stories. I think he is a  Marmite author, you'll either love or hate his writing style. For me it's love all the way.

To Buy:


For more information see Goodreads.
A copy of this story was given in exchange for an honest review.

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