I don’t normally enjoy romance novels, but Storm Grant’s Gym Dandy is a wonderfully light confection. Set in Toronto, it is the love story of Victor Brighton, a personal trainer, and his gym client, Douglas Newkirk, who comes to accept his sexuality over the course of his relationship with Victor.
The novel is geared more toward humor than romance; and although that humor can be a bit corny, it is never forced. It is also juxtaposed to a surprising complexity in the characters. For example, it is refreshing to find an openly bisexual character, Victor, in a beach read. Too often, bisexuality is ignored in GLBTQ pop culture. Victor’s comfort with himself was a pleasant change of pace. The ending was also legitimately surprising, except, of course, for the fact that it’s a happy ending. Grant offers readers a fun book to take on vacation.
One caveat: there is some Canadian English that might be confusing to American readers, such as “First Nations” and “poutine,” but nothing that interrupts the flow of the story or that a curious reader could not easily decipher.
Recommended for public libraries with adult romance sections, or those libraries interested in increasing their number of popular GLBTQ titles.
Reviewed by, Travis A. Ferrell
I like MLR Press and there books and I will be sure to check this one out. I wish I got to see the cover – I am a visual being.
Thanks for the look at this one.
Terry Kate
Naughty in the Backseat