John and Chris, despite sharing a few characteristics with several of Metzger’s other main characters, nonetheless stand as unique creations in their own right. On the positive side, I am genuinely pleased by the wide swath of characters that Metzger brings to life in each of his book. Which, let me tell you, is a horrible place from a reviewer’s perspective. Tea sits in this nebulous place of I don’t know. And it isn’t Big Man, either–which ended up being by far my least liked story by this author. This isn’t a Sex in C Major, kind of a book–one that had me enthralled, but exhausted and wary of recommending it, by the end.

I just happen to find myself not entirely sure that I would ever want to revisit it, either. And despite the length of the book, it did keep me interested the whole way thru. His skill here with creating stories and writing characters is on par with his other works. Especially if Metzger is one of your favorite authors. On the whole…I liked it enough to recommend people read it. But I’ve got to write this review at some point, so I guess I’m just going to have to force myself to come to some sort of a conclusion. When Chris asks him out, he ought to say no.Īfter a month, I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about this story. But John is badly burned from his last relationship and in no fit state to try again. All he wants, from that very first touch, is to never let go. Chris is like nobody John’s ever known, and John is caught from the start.

He didn’t expect to find love at the same time.Īnd it really is love at first sight.

John only went into the cafe to have a brew and wait out the storm.

Tea by Matthew J. Metzger