OMG! what an interesting book. And I bow to John Solo - his voice, his narration, his empathy for his material - what a superlative job he did with this book and added enormously I'm sure to my own response to the story.

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." - Mark Twain

Age difference is one of many themes in the novel - but Gianni Holmes brings home Mark Twain's message in a stellar way. She convinced me of the point like I've never experienced before.

There are 21 years between chauffeur Owen and business tycoon Declan. Owen has 3 kids, and a childhood sweetheart wife, Jenna, who has left him 15 years before he meets Declan. In those years, he has devoted his all to raising his children in the complete absence of Jenna, though we do learn what happened to her before the end of the novel.

These events are sidebars to the relationship that develops between the mature self-sacrificing giver, Owen, and the dominating "daddy" that the 25-year-old Declan craves acting out.

Declan is also a giver - he lives to look after his "boy", Owen.

These words are crazy, but Owen comes to understand them and Declan, and when he decides to use them, it seems to be a product of his empathetic character, as much as realising it is also a way to get his needs met, while gifting fulfilment and care to Declan.

There's a richness to the story which I appreciated - the trip to the mardi gras in Brazil and to the kids in Columbus, and meeting Jenna again - and Declan's friend Ridge is a great supporting character.

I've never heard of this author but I'll definitely be reading part two of the story, and any other books I can find by her. ( )

Daddy

There’s a lot going on in this story. I do like both Owen and Declan, but there is still much to be learned in their relationship. Can’t wait to read part two. ( )

The book was difficult to read because the character names were interposed so often. ( )