Ultra Meital Reviews: Emergency Contact by Elle Brownlee

This one was rather cute. I liked the interaction between the characters though there were A LOT of things unsaid and quite a lot of Liam getting lost inside his own head. In a way it's what made this story thought provoking. I mean, there were times I wanted to smack both him and Garrett on the head but other times I could see how Liam's insecurities together with Garrett's inexperience (and sometimes indecision) made it difficult to communicate in order to solve their issues. That being said I LOVED how they meshed together. There was something simply beautiful in the way they could just BE together or just beside each other and feel totally satisfied.

Liam Wright is a mathematician which means to him everything is logical and (should) work in a perfect pattern. He had a rather "easy" life coming from money, having his own place, not needing a lot of people in his circle. Life and his routine suits him. Then his friend Carl appears out of the blue asking for a favor. Calculating what this favor is going to "cost" him, he accepts. All he has to do is help out Carl's cousin with a few tips about New York City life and if needed be his "Emergency Contact" (since Carl would be out of town).

Garrett Honeycutt is ten years younger than (33 years old) Liam. He has lived a rather sheltered life in a small town in Iowa. He came to New York City to model. It's not something he aspired to be/do, it just worked out this way and since he needs money for college he is rather content in making the big money it offers. He isn't ashamed of the job but he is also not that thrilled about it. Coming to Liam's apartment to introduce himself with a home cooked meal feels like the polite and right thing to do. Yet seeing Liam before his mandatory cup(s) of coffee might not be the best idea..

It takes a bit of time (and a lot of coffee) but Liam starts to realize Garrett being in his apartment might not me such a bad idea. Once they start to talk both guys feel drawn to each other. Liam is skeptic, he doesn't understand what a young and vibrant person like Garrett could have in common with someone like him. But after spending so much time together on their first day it doesn't take long for them to build a routine. They simply enjoy each other's company and it's obvious both want more (though we only get Liam's POV). But it takes a bit more time before they get there.

The story flows with months going by and us being A LOT in Liam's head while not all the details about the progression of their relationship revealed. I guess it's the "Telling not showing" fault in a way but it's also isn't as I think the "moral" of this story has a lot to do with what happened inside Liam's head and not really what "happened". He had A LOT of assumptions, which mostly works for him, being a mathematician not only by trade but at heart as well. It was difficult for him to believe Garrett wants him and would STAY with the little he has to offer. It was obvious Garrett got upset with him a couple of times when Liam just failed to see Garrett truly and absolutely wanted HIM and not whatever it was Liam thought interested Garrett more.

I think a part of the reason I enjoyed this story so much was a sort of kinship I felt towards Liam. Being in his head sometimes felt like being inside my own head. It made me think and re-think my own decisions and assumptions. It's so easy getting caught inside your head when there is no one there to confront them. But Garrett WAS there and was doing his best to show Liam his truth. It took a while, a LONG while, as well as a very heartbreaking melt down between the two but they did finally find a way to be together. I liked the way their issues were resolved and the way the story concluded, I have a good feeling about these two.