Liviania’s review of David’s Selfie by Daisy Harris
M/M Contemporary Holiday Romance published by Samhain 18 Nov 14
I’ve never been that excited by holiday romances. It’s not that I don’t like them, I’m just not compelled to search out romances about Christmas or other holidays. Especially not Christmas, because even though I enjoy it, it eats up so much of the rest of my life. So no, I didn’t read David’s Selfie because it is set at Christmas. I read it because it has the word selfie in the title. I feel like the word and action both get a bad rap, especially since people have been taking photos of themselves since cameras were invented. It didn’t hurt that the story – single father meets go-go dancer – sounded fun.
The eponymous David is a doctor and a widower. Given his grief and that he has a three-year-old, he’s been single for awhile. When he decides to try meeting people online, he’s faced with the task of taking a nude picture to send to potential suitors. (The scene with him trying to find a good position to take the photo from is pretty funny.) His first meeting is an obvious bust, so he hides in a club bathroom, where he ends up losing his cell phone. Luckily for him, the guy who finds it is honest. That would be Craig, a student making ends meet by dancing at the club. He’s pretty intrigued by whoever might own the cell phone, because the dick pick is pretty hot.
The initial hookup between David and Craig is simple; building a relationship is harder. David has to think of his daughter, Maia, and not introduce her to people he isn’t serious about. He’s also somewhat concerned about being out as bisexual, even though his still close sister-in-law has no issues with it or thinks it makes him an unfit parent. Craig is younger and much less well off, so there’s a bit of a power imbalance in the relationship. It makes sense that he doesn’t rely on David (and David’s money) to just fix the problems in his life, because he knows he needs to be able to care for himself when and if the relationship ends. It is hard not to just move in with David though, since his roommate is awful and possessive.
This is a sweet, happy romance. The Christmas-time setting is perfect for the feel of the story. There’s very little conflict, and what there is is mostly external. I feel that the beginning of the story is stronger than the ending. I love their first meeting in a little cafe and their initial forays into dating. I like that the initial obstacles in their relationship aren’t insurmountable and that both men put in the effort to make their relationship work, even though it was somewhat unconventional. But it feels a little like everything just wraps up in a quick “I love you” bow. (Well, plus a cute and funny many-years-later epilogue.)
There isn’t much depth to this novella, but it is a wonderful read for a lazy not-having-to-work day. I might’ve even felt a little extra Christmas spirit.
Grade: B
Summary:
Sometimes a guy’s best angle is below the belt.When David, a single father, vows to get laid just once before the year ends, he doesn’t figure on losing his cell phone—and with it one very revealing picture. Lucky for him, his phone is found by a disarmingly handsome man who might be perfect for the kind of casual Christmas fling David is after.
Go-go dancer Craig never would have guessed that the guy with the cute cock shot would turn out to be a doctor. Or that he’d find himself lying about his night job and worrying David will find out the truth. To complicate matters, each of their hook-ups requires days of planning. Yet before he knows it, Craig has a new boyfriend, and possibly a whole new family.
David’s ready to dive head-first into something new, but if Craig’s going to commit, he’ll need to come clean about his job, his past, and—most of all—the naughty picture that drew him to David in the first place.
Warning: Contains a male exotic dancer and extremely intimate photography. May contain traces of Zumba, bad roommates, and sad childhoods. Call your doctor if after six hours you still can’t get the grin off your face.
Read an excerpt here.
