The Remaking of Corbin Wale

The Remaking of Corbin Wale (2017) Roan Parrish

After his life blew up around him, Alex headed back to his home town to take over (and reinvent) his parent’s coffee shop.

Down a boyfriend and a job in forty-eight hours, Alex hadn’t been sure which had been the bigger blow.

Everything about this story is magical.

Corbin was a strawberry. If you had any sense at all, you took it as it was and you never questioned it. You didn’t add sugar and you didn’t add heat. You didn’t put it in a sandwich or use it in a cake. You didn’t do anything to it because it was already as absolutely, perfectly a strawberry as it would ever be. You recognized it, and were grateful for it.

I think what I love best is you are left wondering whether Corbin really was cursed–but it didn’t matter because Alex accepted and loved him regardless.

It does take awhile to get there, but it’s so lovely it’s worth the wait.

(E)very time he walked through the door, it felt like things were right in Alex’s world. He felt a kind of peace and satisfaction that came from having the person you most wanted to see near you.

I mean, that is just the loveliest thing.

Not to say there are not very dark bits. Especially the bits involving Alex’s best friend.

Alex said, “I want you to send me a picture.”

“Hmm? Of what?” Gareth asked breezily.

“Of you. Of what he did to you. We both know that I know.”

Gareth made a horrible sound. Alex waited him out. Then the call disconnected. Alex took one deep breath, two, three. He’d call back after ten breaths if Gareth hadn’t sent the picture. At breath six, a photo lit up his phone and Alex’s breath was gone. The light was dim, but Alex could see enough to be glad he was in Michigan and not able to get his hands on Paul, because he didn’t trust what he might do if he could.

But even that heart-breaking scene is followed by the love that Alex shows to Gareth in how he helps him.

Publisher: Monster Press
Rating: 8.5/10

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