Guest Review: A Way With Words (Memories with The Breakfast Club (Kindle Worlds)) by Lane Hayes

Tony De Luca is a simple guy. He works for his uncle’s Brooklyn-based construction firm. And he knows from experience that keeping his head down and doing his job is the best way to deal with the meddlesome family members he sees daily. They think he’s quiet and maybe a little awkward but the truth is more complicated. Tony has a secret he isn’t ready or willing to share. He’s an expert at avoiding familial scrutiny. At least he was until the sexy guitar player showed up.

Remy Nelson is a small-town, free-spirited guy looking for a new life in the big city. He stays busy playing his instrument on a busy Manhattan street corner during the day and bartending at night. Remy is more interested in finding steady employment than a mate, but he can’t deny his attraction to the dreamy construction worker with soulful eyes, a kind heart, and a unique way with words. Falling for Remy wasn’t what Tony expected, but keeping him will require courage. And an end to keeping secrets.

Reviewer - Lost in a Book

"I was the world’s greatest actor who’d never get an award for his umpteenth season playing a straight guy."

A Way With Words is all about the struggle of Tony who is very much in the closet with the door bolted shut until he meets Remy. Tony is a construction worker in New York City. He sees the gorgeous and talented Remy busking on the corner for two months and after staring like a creeper one day, decides to say “hi.” After some awkward conversation, Tony learns where Remy works at night and this is where they meet up again.

Tony is like a skittish cat during their early interactions. Luckily Remy is very understanding of his situation and provides a sort of oasis where he can finally be himself. There's some heat and chemistry to their interactions as they slowly build a solid foundation for a relationship.

There wasn't much going on in the book besides Tony coming out and him finding his voice to tell his family. Tony does not have a way with words and fortunately for him, Remy offsets his awkwardness. I think awkward is an understatement for Tony's conversational skills. The constant rambling and bumbling through conversations while apologizing and the frequent admission that he doesn't have a way with words got old. Really. Quick.

Tony is from a large Italian family that was loud and obnoxious. I come from an Italian family so I know that in the heart of chaos, you'll find crazy ass love with a helping of pasta and gravy and a side of well meaning intrusion. Tony's family was always around and very involved in setting him up with a good wife to make lotsa babies. The family trying to set Tony up was a big part of the story line. It was becoming unbearable for him to live a double life with his family and he has to decide if he will finds his words and tell his truth or continue the lie.

This was a short and quick read with very mild angst. Novellas are hit or miss for me. When done right they can be an all encompassing story that is truly a pleasure to read. Unfortunately, this wasn't. There wasn't enough meat to sink my teeth in. The complete lack of confidence, never ending rambling and some very weird conversations on Tony's part detracted from the story instead of it being a device to propel it forward. The beginning held promise but I think it lacked substance to continue. There were a few sweet moments throughout. I liked Remy and thought he complimented Tony. If you are a fan of easy breezy novellas, maybe you'll like it.

"Something was changing inside of me, insisting I shed the pretense and be real. I was like a turtle who’d outgrown his shell. I needed new shelter. A place to grow and stretch and be myself. My real self."

A review copy was provided.