We Danced - Jeff Erno

We Danced, Jeff Erno, Dreamspinner Press
For six years, Rex Payton has focused on two things: keeping his late father’s small-town Kentucky bar afloat and raising his nephew, Tyler. After the tragic loss of his parents and sister, Rex has no interest in romance. He’s respected in his community and regarded as one of Carlisle’s most eligible bachelors, but he’s accepted that his life isn’t conducive to a romantic relationship, especially as a closeted gay man.
Enter Josh Billings, a veterinary student who’s serving an internship in town. Josh’s deepest passion is helping animals. Romance is the furthest thing from his mind… until the night he meets taciturn, handsome Rex Payton. Chance and an after-hours dance conspire to forge an intimate connection neither man looked for—one neither man can ignore after the dance leads to a kiss.
Suddenly romance isn’t so insignificant, but it’s also not without complications. For this relationship to work, Josh has to decide if he can cope with dating a single dad, Rex has to open his heart, and Ty has to learn to share his dad’s affection.


This was my first book by Jeff Erno and I absolutely fell in love with these characters. This was a beautifully written contemporary story that will tug at your heart-strings and get you hot under the collar.

Rex Payton knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life and it didn't involve running the bar that was his families business. But life doesn't always work out the way we plan it. When his sister and mother are killed in a car accident and then his father dies of a broken heart just a few months later Rex steps in to not only take over running the bar but also raising his 8 month old nephew. It cost him his dream and the man in his life but raising Tyler made it all worth it.

Josh Billings has returned to his childhood hometown to spend his summer doing an internship with the local animal hospital. Josh has known since he was a young boy that he would be a veterinarian some day and nothing was going to get in the way of achieving his dream. With one year of school and his internship all that he has left he has almost made it. Who knew something as mundane as forgetting your cell phone at the bar could change your whole life?

One dance....One kiss....and everything changes.

Rex is one of those completely selfless character's that you hope exist somewhere in real life. Not many 20 something year olds would give up their single carefree lives to raise a child that isn't their own. The relationship that he has with Ty was real and really sweet to read.

Josh is hard working and single minded until he meets Rex and then he realizes he might be able to have a life outside of school and his goal of becoming a vet.

While I am not usually a fan of the insta-love with these two characters it worked. And while there isn't a lot of internal tension the drama that comes from around Rex and Josh more than makes up for it. I wanted to cry for Ty and Rex and then I wanted to bitch slap Aunt Kathy.
The chemistry between Rex and Josh is off the charts, and I really hope they took the desk with them. But the relationship the evolves between all three was the best part of the story. The family times they had made the story that much more real and satisfying to read.

If you are looking for something sweet and sexy with the most adorable 6 year old thrown in for those awww moments, then We Danced is playing your tune.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by Dreamspinner Press. Many thanks.