Title: Chainbreaker
Author: Kate Roman
Length: 35 pdf pages, 8,100 words.
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m contemporary romance
Rating: B+
Blurb:
San Francisco bike courier Matt Robinson only cares about one thing in this life, his boyfriend, Gulf War veteran Jason Hicks. When one of the other couriers starts pushing Jason around, Matt puts everything on the line to protect his man, even his job, and finds out his sweet, broken blond is a lot tougher than he looks.
Review:
Even though this was released nearly two years ago, I dug it out because I was intrigued by the blurb to the recently released sequel Crankset (review coming soon). I must say, I’m really glad I did. The plot of the story is fairly straightforward and the blurb just about says it all, but Chainbreaker is a delightful slice of life story. It’s also one of those stories that actually improved on the second read through, which is always a pleasure.
The story is told from Matt’s point of view, and opens with him racing back through the streets of San Franscisco, to get back to his boyfriend who works behind the counter at Royal Cycles. We’re given a few brief paragraphs of background to the couple, who have grown up together and been in love since they were sixteen. Unfortunately when their parents discovered this, the two were split up and Jason sent to military school, and then on to Afghanistan where he was injured in service. I feel it would be a spoiler to give the details of exactly how, as I loved the way the story delays the reveal. Let’s just say for now that Jason has a permanent physical disability, but Matt loves him just as much as ever.
The strength of the bond between these two young lovers is never called into question. Indeed, it is this that allows them to cope with their poverty with good humour. They may only have a curtained off alcove in a one bedroom flat shared with three women, but they really seem to enjoy the little things in life: the buzz of the city around them, eating good food and their healthy sex life. I was pleased that while Kate Roman doesn’t sugar coat their poverty in any way, she also doesn’t make it a source of angst for them. I also loved the way the Mission district of San Francisco is portrayed: the city streets and all the diverse secondary characters come alive through the prose. In particular, Mama Yung, the chainsmoking, seventy-something owner of Royal Cycles is a real delight.
Normally I’m not so keen on romances where there’s no conflict between the lovers, but this time it really worked for me. In part this is down to the strength of the writing, but I think it’s mainly the characters. While both young men are clearly very nice guys, they also felt utterly real. Their teasing banter is cute without ever being sugary – a fine line to walk but Kate Roman makes it look effortless. It helps that Matt lashes out when one of the other couriers makes fun of Jason’s disability, and it is this that drives the main plot conflict. A little protectiveness is always an admirable quality in a character. Indeed, Matt really does cherish Jason, seeing him as a precious gift who was returned to him.
This is one of those stories that made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, while giving a fascinating portrait of a vibrant city. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a story that’s low on the conflict, but high on the love quotient.
Hmm. I’ll definitely have to check this one out. Looking forward to the review of the sequel.
I reckon you’d like it, Tam. Like I said, it’s just the thing if you’re in the mood for that kind of story.
I read this one while I was in San Francisco last year, and really enjoyed it! The sequel was ok, but I didn’t think it was as good.
I bet it’s lovely to read it in the city it’s set in! I’ll let you know what I thought of the sequel next Tuesday…
I really liked this story too. I read it ages ago, not long after I came back from San Francisco and I loved the SF setting because I could picture it all in my head from having seen it so recently :).
The romance is really lovely too.
Great review, and like Tam I’m looking forward to the sequel.
I’m afraid I’m mostly picturing the city from the Grand Theft Auto game… Now I feel like a real uncultured yob!
I’m just saying the last place on earth I would choose to be a bike courier would be SF. Ugh. He must have had buns and thighs of steel. I could barely walk after 5 days. Hills of hell.
[…] this story is a sequel to the delightful Chainbreaker (which I reviewed here), I don’t think you’d need to have read that one to understand what’s going on in […]