David’s dilemma is one a lot of people share: how to deal with an elderly parent who has dementia or Alzheimer’s while still having a life – social, personal, or otherwise. And, ultimately, whether (and when) is the right time to move his father to an institution because it is not safe for the older man to live without 24/7 supervision and care. Lynn Lorenz describes this conundrum with brutal honesty, incredible sensitivity, and makes no bones about the dangers of leaving this decision for too long. As a result, ‘David’s Dilemma’ is a fantastic book and one I recommend everyone with an elderly parent read – if for no other reason than to see they are not alone.

David has to deal with a lot. Yes, he has a good job as a landscape designer that he loves and makes enough money to afford a house and to take care of his elderly father. But what he does not have is a personal life. Part of the issue is the sheer lack of time, but then there is his father’s homophobia – and that is bad enough that even the mention of a date with a man makes the old man angry enough to risk a stroke. David has not been looking for Mr. Right, but when he needs a detective’s help to find his father after the old man wandered off, the two men meet and hit it off.

Travis is a detective and used to seeing the worst of humankind. His ex is fifteen years younger and cheated on him, so Travis is willing to try something else. He longs for companionship and love, but he also knows that being a cop’s partner is challenging and not many are ready to accept the consequences of him risking his life on a regular basis. Meeting David makes Travis realize he is interested in a man who is about his age, a new situation for him, but he has no idea if they can ever become more than friends.

David and Travis start off as friends. Between regular calls, long discussions, and compatibility across the line, they both soon want more. But David still has his father to deal with, Travis still has a dangerous job, and to make matters worse, other obstacles start popping up. I was so hoping they’d manage to find a way to be together, but it looked less than likely for the longest time. Way to keep me in suspense!

If you enjoy stories that appeal because of their honesty when dealing with issues around aging, if you want to see two men who seem like unlikely partners make a go of it, and if you’re looking for a gripping emotional drama with a touch of suspense, real men with real problems, and a friendship that gradually grows into love, then you will probably like this novella as much as I do. It’s got great characters and some twists and turns that might just surprise you.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

DNF at 19%, therefore no rating.
It was insta-love of the sappy kind ("honey" and "baby" after the first meeeting - no, thanks). Also it was angsty in a bad way.
But the main reason I aborted: It was boring.