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A review by ellelainey
Counting Fence Posts by Kelly Jensen
5.0
Book – Counting Fence Posts
Author – Kelly Jensen
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 61
Cover – Very nice!
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Christmas in July, Holiday, Stranded, Contemporary, Romance
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Confession: When I first read Kelly Jensen, it was in “When Was the Last Time” and I said, in my review that, although this was a new-to-me author, “It's a beautiful piece of art and craftsmanship, just like the story.”. Well, THANK YOU, Christmas in July! Kelly Jensen knocks it out the park once again. And, honestly, I could say the same thing about this story: it's a work of art.
We start off already in the car, during a snow storm and I was relieved for this, because I like when we start off right in the guts of the story. Henry is unrequitedly crushing on co-worker and superior Marc, who is driving but as stubborn bull, so when things take a weathered turn for the worst, things get hot and bothered.
Through a lot of talking – which was great to see – the two begin to share secrets, as the hours drag on. Not only did I love that the situation was realistic – heavy, sudden snow fall that couldn't be fought through, visual detail as well as temperature dropping and rushing to layer up on many clothes – but the chemistry felt real as well. Though we do get some hot scenes, there was no “let's get naked” or impractical stuff here. It was freezing and the characters, and us readers, never forgot that. From breathing fogging, cold fingers, biting wind etc and snowfall, there were subtle, but regular reminders of the weather.
When it comes to Henry and Marc, as characters, I can only say that I'm in love. At first, Marc is grouchy, irascible and frustrating for both me and Henry. But then he slowly begins to melt as the snow piles up and we – me and Henry – get to see beyond the protective armour. *sigh* Henry himself is just loveable and lovely and sweet. He's frustrated, scared and afraid of falling into *that* trap again. Ugh! The feels are ridiculous.
This is no insta-love story, either. This is two adult men being stranded in a situation where emotions are heightened, strength is more vulnerable than usual and they end up saying things that they were normally too scared to say. So when they talk and share a heart-to-heart, they both acknowledge that it's a rotten situation, that it might be temporary, as it's likely that whatever they share in this distressing moment may not last once they're past it. What they share is shared on the knowledge that there may be hurt, but no recriminations, if things fall apart once they're safe. Because they accept the limitations of the situation, but also talk with hope and encouragement, wishing for more after this situation is resolved.
As you can probably tell, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm utterly in love with something and can feel all the emotions, the uncertainty, the *happy sigh* moments that made me smile and crunch in on myself in excitement; that make my toes curl and breath hitch, my stomach tighten in anticipation. All that and more. In 61 pages. Genius!
~
Favourite Quotes
“Marc had never met an obstacle he couldn't defeat. Over, under, around, or through. He probably had that tattooed somewhere on his body.
Henry lost a moment imagining just where that ink might be and how it might flex across Marc's pleasantly muscled frame.”
““You don't think all this is improvisation, do you? I'm good, but I'm not that good.”
“It could just be a 'trapped in a snowstorm' thing. Holy shit, I don't want to die without checking that particular box.”
“I don't think many people have 'see if I'm gay' on their bucket list.””
Author – Kelly Jensen
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 61
Cover – Very nice!
POV – 3rd person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Christmas in July, Holiday, Stranded, Contemporary, Romance
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
Confession: When I first read Kelly Jensen, it was in “When Was the Last Time” and I said, in my review that, although this was a new-to-me author, “It's a beautiful piece of art and craftsmanship, just like the story.”. Well, THANK YOU, Christmas in July! Kelly Jensen knocks it out the park once again. And, honestly, I could say the same thing about this story: it's a work of art.
We start off already in the car, during a snow storm and I was relieved for this, because I like when we start off right in the guts of the story. Henry is unrequitedly crushing on co-worker and superior Marc, who is driving but as stubborn bull, so when things take a weathered turn for the worst, things get hot and bothered.
Through a lot of talking – which was great to see – the two begin to share secrets, as the hours drag on. Not only did I love that the situation was realistic – heavy, sudden snow fall that couldn't be fought through, visual detail as well as temperature dropping and rushing to layer up on many clothes – but the chemistry felt real as well. Though we do get some hot scenes, there was no “let's get naked” or impractical stuff here. It was freezing and the characters, and us readers, never forgot that. From breathing fogging, cold fingers, biting wind etc and snowfall, there were subtle, but regular reminders of the weather.
When it comes to Henry and Marc, as characters, I can only say that I'm in love. At first, Marc is grouchy, irascible and frustrating for both me and Henry. But then he slowly begins to melt as the snow piles up and we – me and Henry – get to see beyond the protective armour. *sigh* Henry himself is just loveable and lovely and sweet. He's frustrated, scared and afraid of falling into *that* trap again. Ugh! The feels are ridiculous.
This is no insta-love story, either. This is two adult men being stranded in a situation where emotions are heightened, strength is more vulnerable than usual and they end up saying things that they were normally too scared to say. So when they talk and share a heart-to-heart, they both acknowledge that it's a rotten situation, that it might be temporary, as it's likely that whatever they share in this distressing moment may not last once they're past it. What they share is shared on the knowledge that there may be hurt, but no recriminations, if things fall apart once they're safe. Because they accept the limitations of the situation, but also talk with hope and encouragement, wishing for more after this situation is resolved.
As you can probably tell, I'm rambling. I do that when I'm utterly in love with something and can feel all the emotions, the uncertainty, the *happy sigh* moments that made me smile and crunch in on myself in excitement; that make my toes curl and breath hitch, my stomach tighten in anticipation. All that and more. In 61 pages. Genius!
~
Favourite Quotes
“Marc had never met an obstacle he couldn't defeat. Over, under, around, or through. He probably had that tattooed somewhere on his body.
Henry lost a moment imagining just where that ink might be and how it might flex across Marc's pleasantly muscled frame.”
““You don't think all this is improvisation, do you? I'm good, but I'm not that good.”
“It could just be a 'trapped in a snowstorm' thing. Holy shit, I don't want to die without checking that particular box.”
“I don't think many people have 'see if I'm gay' on their bucket list.””