Detour by Talia Carmichael

[reviews_and_ramblings]

In her author bio, you can read: “Talia Carmichael is a romantic who believes that family, no matter if it is by blood or those you choose as family, is integral to who you are”. I think that from these words you can understand, and appreciate, most of this debut novel, Detour. It’s basically a very positive intake on what the life of a gay man could be, when you don’t loose the support of your own family, a support that gives you the strength, and hope, to believe you will find a loving relationship as the one your parents have.

Both Robert, a nerdy like science professor in a small college, and Miguel, an hunky patrol cop, come from loving and supporting family; this allows them to be comfortable with being gay, and happy, and ready to fall in love and talk of long-term commitment almost as soon as they meet. True, at first it was a little disconcerting to read about Miguel, a cop, that was not only out with his family, but also at work, and no one, absolutely no one, had something against it. Not only that, at least 2 of his brothers are gays too, plus some of his colleagues and most of his poker night friends. I was like, well, I’m reading again one of that modern fantasy tale, is not possible this situation, and place, exist somewhere in this world. But then I thought, why not? Why everytime I read about “happy” gay men, I have always to be pessimistic? Why I couldn’t believe there is this chance for them? And so I decided to let it go the pessimistic attitude and read the story.

It’s a funny and light story, with a lot of supporting characters I think the author is introducing for following stories. True there are also some sad events, it’s almost a necessary step when talking about cops and the dangers of being one, but that doesn’t unbalance the general light tone of the novel. Robert and Miguel respect all the cliché of the top and bottom couple, where Miguel, the cop, is of course the top and Robert, the professor, the bottom. Robert is all blushes and babbling, Miguel is all teasing and hot. Robert is so clueless he doesn’t realize Miguel is gay until Miguel practically doesn’t undress in front of him with an obvious hard on. From that moment one, Miguel and Robert are like octopuses to each other, not letting one moment they are together go without a kiss, a stroke or a love word. It’s sugary, it’s pink glasses perspective, but it’s also so tender and sweet. Is it realistic? Sincerely, I don’t care, I like romance, that is all.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2277

Amazon Kindle: Detour
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 12, 2011)

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Cover Art by Paul Richmond