Book Review for Dumped in Oz by Andrew Grey

Finding yourself in the middle of nowhere Kansas has a way of working its magic on you...if you let yourself believe in it that is.

My Rating for Dumped in Oz: 4 Stars

For Lyle Powers, being transferred to the middle of nowhere Kansas is like the kiss of death to his thinking. But for Lyle who has no ties or boyfriend to stay in Harrisburg, PA, going to Kansas is an eye opening event that may just bring him something much more than he anticipates.

Roger Kypers is part owner of a small restaurant in Wamego, or Oz as the locals call it, and finding Lyle who is new to town makes his heart hope again for a love ever after. Except Roger has a wicked ex-wife determined that he act like a normal straight man if he wants any time with his daughter. But you can’t stop the heart once it is engaged and as Roger and Lyle find out, sometimes love is the biggest surprise of all. Can Lyle and Roger let go of the past in order to have a future together?


What can I say but poor, poor Lyle. I have to admit when we first meet Lyle I wanted to know what the heck was wrong with him. He was so alone even if he didn't admit it to himself. I loved the way his friends took charge and talked him into taking the transfer, saying that a change of scenery would be good for him and you know what, it is! This is a charmingly sweet tale of a two lonely men finding their way to one another by a quirk of fate. I just love this author’s work and his stories are my go to reads when I need a pick me up after a rough day or just a chance to smile a bit when the world is all gray and ugly. His stories have heart which makes mine melt whenever I pick up one of Andrew Grey’s books.It's full of angst, drama, comedy and more that charmed me right from the begining and I have to admit, now I want some of Roger's food. 
 

I just love Lyle and Roger together. You could see these both needed the friendship the other offered and soon, both men find their hearts engaged even if they are scared to the bone about it. The author does a great job in capturing Roger’s battle with Alcoholism & sobriety perfectly. He doesn’t preach about it and puts it in such a way that the reader is rooting for Roger to not take a drink and instead embraces a new friend. What I loved even more was how Lyle found himself slowly becoming part of the community, meeting the townsfolk, getting on in life and embracing all it offered in baby steps.

Roger on the other hand has been scared to rock the boat with his ex on his case for being gay, not sticking up for himself and his daughter being his whole world. But when Roger meets Lyle, Roger finds the strength to stick up for himself and that made me sit up and cheer as I rooted for Roger to finally tell his evil witch of an ex to back off and to show his daughter that being gay means not being different. The secondary characters are perfectly written and I loved how Lyle’s friends came to town to visit him, bringing lightheartedness to the story that had me giggling at times over their quips and remarks. 

Dumped in Oz is a perfect summer time beach read or rainy afternoon read that picks your spirits up and delivers a smile on your face at the end. Mr. Grey is my go to author whenever I need that smile after a particular rough day or even when I need just a heartfelt story to enjoy again. His writing just delivers something tot he heart of the reader that once it takes hold, never lets go. With his emotional yet tender story of two lonely people finding their way to one another, he gives us a story that has its lighter moments and then some really nasty moments that had me growling under my breath as I flipped the page of the e-reader.

If you are looking for a perfect introduction to this author's writing then I highly recommend Dumped in Oz and I can honestly say you will fall in love with his writing and his books. Now I need to get the second book to see what happens next in Wamego, Kansas, which by the way is a real place. :-)

Find Dumped in Oz at Amazon / Publsiher / ARe

Book Two is called Stuck in Oz and is available now! 

When Jeremy and Petey’s mother died, their house was taken to pay the debts she left behind, leaving them homeless. Afraid Petey will be put in foster care, they have no one to turn to but their Uncle Milt, so they pack up Jeremy’s beat-up car and leave San Diego for Wamego, Kansas.

They arrive in the middle of a snowstorm and stop at the local diner to contact their uncle, where they meet Nate. Nate and his aunt help them contact Uncle Milt, and he agrees to help.

Jeremy and Nate hit it off quickly, but Jeremy runs when he’s made to believe their new home isn’t permanent. Nate goes after him, finds him, and convinces him that he’s wanted. However, just as Jeremy and Nate begin to trust each other, Petey’s estranged father appears and threatens to tear Jeremy’s new life and fledgling family apart.