Title: Disasterology 101
Series: Standalone
Author: Taylor V Donovan
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Publisher: MLR Press
Published: July 17th 2013
Rating: 4 Feathers

Review: 

“It was about feeling fulfilled, forming a bond, and knowing you belonged together.”

Reading Carry the Ocean last week put me on a path of reading romances with unconventional heroes.  Or at least, it put me back on that path since it’s always been a storyline I’ve enjoyed.  Anyway, it led me to The Mating of Michael, and it also led me to Disasterology 101.

Disasterology 101 is the story of a man, recently divorced, who has accepted the fact that his generally happy marriage ended because he was never sexually attracted to his wife.  He realizes that, while he tried to ignore it when he was younger, he is actually gay and he’s ready to embrace a new lifestyle with the right man.  The right man happens to be Cedric, except Cedric is severely OCD with both rituals and a debilitating fear of germs.  

For being such an intense story, it was surprisingly tender with very low angst.  Yes, there are problems that come up.  Sex is a huge issue, because sperm and saliva are full of germs.  Cedric can’t even handle people breathing on him, let alone touch him with their tongue.  In addition, Kevin has 3 children.  Children are little germ factories, as any parent can attest to.  As a reader, you wonder how in the world they can overcome any of this.

With a lot of work, that the author doesn’t gloss over.  Kevin has an immense amount of patience as he helps Cedric feel safe with him.  While he helps Cedric push his boundaries, he also knows that this is who Cedric will always be and he also works on learning how to make concessions.  Cedric also learns how to be what Kevin needs.  He works hard to extend his illness, bend the lines, kiss longer than 3 seconds, and be around the children.

I also loved the way Cedric cloaked himself in the punk/thug style.  The fact that his style was so different than how he actually was inside, how he used it as a shield to keep people at bay, reminded me of myself in my youth.  There is something about piercings that make you feel tougher than you actually are inside.  It’s away of saying, “Don’t mess with me”, and it works.

(My only issue, and the only reason this book is a 4 star read, is simply because I have a pet peeve about characters reading one way at the start of the book, and then turning out to be something completely different.  The first couple chapters gave the impression of Cedric being the mans man, and Kevin felt more sensitive.  Then it flops.  I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me.  I got over it quickly.)

Disasterology 101 was so good that I’ve been unable to start another book.  I keep looking through my bookshelf and Kindle, praying for something to jump out at me that would be the perfect cure.  So far nothing.  

I find that I’m tempted to start reading it again.

“He felt happy, and relieved, and had a new appreciation for pop culture.  Special thanks went to a brave NBA CEO who dared to come out as a gay man, Kurt and Blaine, and the folks from Modern Family.”