Deefur Dog
This review is really just a bunch of ramblings. Sorry about that. It's too late to be coherent.I loved the story and the writing and the characters even though there wasn't any plot. I loved that it was the right length, not overly long, not too short. I liked that while Cam was still grieving, we weren't overcome by everything Mark. There wasn't a lot of angst or self-recrimination. There was just grief and a little guilt but not overly much, either. I felt like it was a good version of the old trope of new guy helps grieving guy move on.
When Cam's brother Neal tells him to put Deefur up for adoption, Cam gets angry and asks whether Neal thinks he should put his daughter up for adoption, too. He later apologizes because he knows Neal loves the child. But that's not the point. Deefur is part of Cam's family. Telling him to put his dog up for adoption is asking him to give up part of his family. It's not that the dog is more important than the child or that his love for them can compare, but it was ridiculous that Neal kept pushing for it.
Great Danes actually do not need a lot of exercise. Although he was too much for Cam to handle as he was, if Cam had taken him to obedience classes, or paid for them (which he could if he could afford a nanny) he would have been fine. He certainly didn't need the acres and acres Cam thought he did.
I think it's funny that Jason is discriminated against because he's a gay nanny. I am uncomfortable with a male babysitter unless he's gay. Straight men are much more likely to abuse a child than a gay man. Plus, there's the stereotype of sensitive without macho posturing. (I said stereotype, okay?) Certainly with a little girl I would be much more comfortable with a gay male nanny.
This whole section which occurs on the first day--before Cam knows anything about Jason other than his resume and references--bugged and confused me:
"We had plans for Emma, ideas of how we wanted, as gay parents, to raise her. I don't want her parents being gay pushed into her life; when it happens, it will happen naturally. So, can I trust you will keep your relationships away from here, and not bring your lifestyle--men--boyfriends--to the house--until we get settled."
I was appalled that Cam used the word "lifestyle" to describe any possible boyfriends Jason might have. It was particularly weird since in the beginning, Cam is disgusted that someone used the same word to describe his being gay. I was equally appalled that Jason didn't even notice. I'm not even sure what the first sentence means. I think he's saying, "I don't want the fact that her parents are gay being pushed into her life," but I still don't know what that means. Her parents are gay. Fact. Now that one is dead doesn't change anything and he shouldn't keep it away from her. But then he says "until we get settled." I don't know what that means either.
Typically, Emma is perfect (just like Jason, to be honest) and she's always happy around Jason. Yeah, sure. A two-year old wouldn't test a new parental type figure in her life. No, not at all. Everything would be roses. I wish that there was a scene showing Emma having a temper tantrum and Jason handling it perfectly and Cam understanding that Jason was right and Emma was just tired or testing or whatever.
I think two weeks is way too long for a two year old to be away from her home and her parent but that's just me. I think Scott did a good job of setting this story in Tacoma/Western Washington without resorting to stereotypes or unverified non-facts. Considering she lives in England, even better. I just read another book where the woman's British upbringing showed in spellings and word choice even though she lives in the US now. True, the Western Washington setting wasn't obvious as it is with the writing of Stormy Glenn, Lou Sylvre, or Nicole Kimberling. But it's not impossible, either. Making a story not horrify natives is just not that hard.
It's not quite five stars for me because it really didn't break any new ground. Let's say 4.25 stars which of course has to be rounded down.