A Timely Gift is the story of vet tech, Rory, and ex-concert pianist Deacon. It’s told in first person from Rory’s pov.

This is a pleasant, low-key, holiday short story about two men in their mid-thirties. Rory’s grandfather gifts him a pocket watch on the winter solstice, ‘to help Rory get his life together,’ so his grandfather tells him. Rory is skeptical, but odd things start to happen once he receives it. One is running into his old lover Deacon. Teenagers when they were dating, they went their separate ways until Deacon moved back to town. The plot goes on to show the men renewing their friendship, and how at times, the watch behaves oddly.

I liked the characters and Rory’s African Grey, Apollo, who learns a new sound, lol.

A light, fast read, A Timely Gift is a sweet story for the holidays. I give this book, 3 Stars.
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Totally cute. Rory’s pagan grandfather gives him a watch a couple of days before Christmas with a cryptic message regarding building a family. A short bit later, he runs into his college ex, Deacon, with whom he had an amicable breakup. It was great to see them reconnect and spend the holidays together. Super sweet. ( )

3.5 Stars ( )