One Shot by Grant C Holland

 

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Drew Thompson is a widowed single father. Ashe Huntsman is an HIV+ banker. They stumble upon each other, both clad in speedos, at a beefcake photo shoot and attraction at first sight erupts. Soon, they are both unpacking their personal baggage, revealing themselves piece by piece, like peeling back the layers of an onion. Can a budding romance survive the skeletons in their closets and the meddling of concerned relatives over the custody of Drew’s child?

One Shot is a 53,000-word standalone gay romance with hurt/comfort, second chance, and family themes. It has a guaranteed happy ending.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

One Shot is a wonderful romance by Grant C Holland. There is plenty of depth to these men and their story, as they deal with some heavy subjects, including grief and having HIV.

Drew and Ashe meet at a photo shoot, where their bodies are fully on display, and the attraction is all too real. It doesn't take long for the sparks to fly, but both men have some secrets, fears, and doubts. 

Drew's a trainer for an NBA team, thus we get some delightful sports moments. He's a single father to an adorable son, Carter, raising him by himself after the death of his wife. I adore Carter and all his moments in the story. I always enjoy kids in my stories, so this is a big plus for me. 

Drew's emotional baggage is heavy, as he's gay but was in an essentially loveless marriage to a women. His is one of those stories where the grief is real, but also a blessing. It's sad, but well explained. 

Ashe, meanwhile is a banker whose past is messy. After years of being promiscuous, he got sick and discovered he's HIV positive. His journey is very explored, with plenty of care.

There's a lot going on in this story. Drew's dealing with starting to date, and his son's reaction to it. Drew has some issues with his former in laws to deal it. And he also has to deal with his sexuality, as he's always been gay, but "fell" into being a father and married to a woman. 

I appreciate the way Ashe's HIV status is handled, both the diagnosis, the illness itself, and his learning to cope with it. As well, I like the way he struggles with telling people his status. And I appreciate that despite the safety of being with an HIV person being addressed, it also addresses the first reactions and the natural fear involved.

Theirs is a tale with pain and regret. I appreciate everything about this story. The overall theme is written with knowledge and care. The author delivers a thoughtful, heartfelt tale of loving someone who has HIV. We get to follow along as they meet, make confessions, and fall in love. I also love the way Drew deals with his son.

One of my favorite parts of the story is their sex lives. I adore the way Drew approaches sex with the HIV positive Ashe. The bondage is a great touch. 

It's a tale of taking chances. And it's a tale where honesty is more important than ever, and both men are mature and thoughtful.  

Written in alternating first person pov, both men are well developed and their storyline is intriguing. Although the writing focuses on actions and events, there's a good amount of emotion as well.

One Shot is truly a sweet tale. Grant Hollands impresses in this multi-layered romance. And it's a must read for anyone looking for a book with an HIV positive character.