Rainbow Reviews

BOOK BLURB:
On Halloween, Graeme accompanies the love of his life, Brandt, to the annual costume party. This year, though, Brandt isn't dancing with Graeme, he's dancing with a handsome stranger, and Graeme couldn't be happier. On the most mysterious night of the year Graeme has one chance to give his beloved the best gift of all and he makes the most of it, from the first dance to the final farewell.

BOOK REVIEW:
When the story begins, Graeme is watching Brandt (dressed in a darling sailor boy costume) at the Halloween dance, hoping that Brandt will be able to move on. He's thrilled to see him dancing with Mark, a lovely man in an incongruous purple pimp costume. At first we wonder why Graeme would want a man he clearly loves dearly to hook up with someone else, but gradually we come to realize that Graeme is a ghost. He's been watching Brandt for a year since he died suddenly, because he cannot move on until Brandt is happy. And Brandt is definitely not happy. He's spoken to Brandt many times, but tonight Brandt actually hears Graeme whispering in his ear, encouraging him to take a chance. In fact, Graeme is surprised to find himself actually liking Mark, though he hates to think of him as a replacement.

Can Brandt bite the bullet and begin to move on with Mark? Brandt and Graeme had been together for five years before Graeme was killed, and Brandt is taking a long time to recover. Can he begin to think of loving again? And can Graeme move on, satisfied that Brandt will be all right without him?

This is a sweet story that takes a very different viewpoint on the 'starting over' theme. Graeme is tied to this dimension until Brandt begins to move forward in his life. Mark comes along at just the right time. Addison Albright has done her usual excellent job of drawing the three characters. Mark, especially, is genuine and sensitive. We don't know if Brandt and Mark will continue to form a relationship, but their interaction is clearly what is needed to help Brandt begin to look forward, rather than back, understanding that Graeme and the memories of their life together will always be a part of his life, but will be an enriching factor, not a limiting factor.

This is a lovely, heartwarming story, and I recommend it.

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