Title: Dapper Gentlemen
Author: J. Rocci
Publisher: Torquere
Length: 3,100 words
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance
Heat: 1 – Sweet/None
Sex Frequency: 1 – None
Keywords/Tags: 2012 TQ Charity Sip, Short Story, Barber, Jazz, Gifts
Rating: Pretty Good

Reviewed by Sadonna

BLURB

Delaney Bixby owns and runs his own barber shop, The Dapper Gentleman, which prides itself on offering an upscale grooming experience to a very select clientele in New York City. When Delaney is closing up shop one night, a special customer drops in for an after-hours shave that leads to slow dancing and professions of love.

REVIEW

This is another short story from the Torquere Charity Sips collection benefiting NOH8.

What a lovely story! This is truly a romantic story set in the unlikeliest places – a barbershop. Delaney is a barber who does things the old-fashioned way and loves it. His shop is well appointed with period details and décor that show his appreciation for the art and craft of gentleman’s barbering. He uses tools that are of the highest quality and keeps his place immaculate.

On the evening in question, Delaney is alone in the shop awaiting his final customer of the day while he’s listening to lovely music on his restored gramophone. Richard arrives and is obviously a bit worn out after his long day on Wall Street but he relents and lets Delaney pamper him with a shave. Their gently flirting banter continues as Delaney gets Richard settled in his chair and then he gives him a thorough but gentle and relaxing shave.
When the shave is finished, Richard tells Delaney he has an important date and their conversation takes an interesting, intimate and lovely turn that includes some dancing!

I don’t want to spoil the story by saying anything else about it, but I will say that it is sweet and terribly romantic. I felt transported to this place given the vivid description of the barbershop and it’s owner. I just really enjoyed the entire story and the perfect ending. If you’ve got just a few a few minutes to read something, I think you’ll like this.


Posted by in 4 Pretty Good, Authors P-R, Contemporary, Heat 1 - Sweet/None, Romance, Sex Freq 1 - None, up to 15k Tags: , , , , , ,