The Other Guy

Emory James is, by his own admission, not the type of person the adjective exciting would ever deign to touch with a ten-foot pole. Cautious, reserved and staid, however, all crowd around him like best friends. Still, he gets by -- or at least he gets by up until his fiancée dumps him at the altar. Out of spite, he takes a solo honeymoon to Thailand, where he can pretend to be someone better than himself for a little while. In meeting Nate, a fellow traveler, Emory slowly discovers how to stop pretending.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Cary Attwell tells the story after the love story with his novel, The Other Guy. It's the story no one wonders about. What happens to the guy who gets dumped at the alter by his fiancee? After watching the romantic comedy - everyone cheering for the Ex, the other guy gets lost in the details. 

Until now. 

Emory is a reserved, stable, reliable man. The kind women always talk about wanting. And, at least in fiction, the man that they usually end up leaving behind. From the start of this novel, readers will connect with Emory based on the sympathy they feel for him immediately. Being left alone at the alter will definitely play on people's hearts. From that single string of hope readers will feel for him, the bond will only strengthen as The Other Guy turns into an evolution for Emory. With an unexpected twist that most readers won't see coming. I know I didn't. 

And I don't feel too spoiler-ish in revealing that the unexpected twist is Nate. (Could-be-Abercrombie-model-photographer who goes with his gut feeling.) Readers will love him right off the bat. He provides the adventure Emory needs to heal his broken heart. But he also allows Emory to come to terms with who he really may be. 

As someone who hides away his true self so that others will like him, Emory's life needs a bit of shaking up. And Nate aims to please. This love story will have readers laughing, wiping away stray tears, and cheering with hope that the guy gets the guy this time. 

Told from Emory's point of view, The Other Guy gives the usually "left-behind-guy" a fighting chance to reclaim his life and his ability to love.  

Rating: 4/5 Cups

The Other Guy