REVIEW: Danny Doormat – Rowan McAllister

Danny Doormat Book Cover Danny Doormat
Rowan McAllister
MM Romance
Dreamspinner Press
June 30, 2020
234

It’s time to wipe his feet of the idea that he’s not good enough to be loved.

Danny Dorfmann is dependable, no matter what’s going on in his own life. So when widower Asa needs a sitter for his dog, Minion, Danny is the natural choice. Besides, Danny’s had a crush on Asa—a hot architect who’s way out of his league—for years.

Asa is just climbing out of his grief over the loss of his husband and trying to reclaim his life. Love and dating aren’t on his radar, but as one favor turns into another and he spends more time with Danny, romance sneaks up on them.

Friendly adventures gradually turn into something deeper, but a manipulative roommate and interfering family and friends want to douse the slow burn building between Danny and Asa. To keep the chances of a happily ever after going, Danny will have to take a stand—and to hold on to the man of his dreams, he’ll have to stop letting everybody walk all over him.

 

Reviewed by Phoebe Matthews

Member of The Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Rowan McAllister gives us a treat with this sweet romance about living our truth in Danny Doormat. Danny tried to live by everyone else’s yardstick and when he decided that did not work, he struck out on his own. McAllister illustrates how important communication is and how we communicate whether it be as a parent, a brother, or as a friend is important. Everyone views Danny through a set of standards that are not Danny’s and therefore his life must be a mess. This constant barrage of negativity has set Danny on a different path internally and externally. McAllister skillfully illustrates this through Danny’s relationship with his roommate.

 

I will warn you that there is some domestic violence in this book – the most violent happens off-page.

 

McAllister also deals with how everyone grieves differently for a loved one. Once again, perception and other people’s ideas of how one should live their life according to a “standard” is illustrated.

 

These two competing ideas of how one should live one’s life ends up affecting the romance in an interesting way. This is a romance after all and McAllister brings it home for Danny and Asa. There are no easy answers in Danny Doormat just steps forward. So wipe your feet, take a seat, and hang out with Horsemen and enjoy Danny and Asa because McAllister also brings some heat to this romance.

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