Daniel's life up until now has been hell. Living with an abusive father who hates what Daniel is has wrecked havoc on Daniel. When Daniel is attacked by two men for being gay, Karl steps in. After taking Daniel home to clean his wounds, a relationship develops between the two.
But everything isn't fine. Daniel's father becomes enraged when Daniel tries to move in with his lover.
How can Daniel and Karl find their way in a world where people believe they shouldn't exist?
When I Dream of You is a bit of a novelty in the usual production by Black and Carmichael, since it's pure romance, without paranormal or horror elements, without angst or kinks; only two men who meet, like and love, simple and smooth.
Daniel is 22 years old and unhappy; he has a very bad relationship with his father and lost his mother many years before. Daniel's father can't accept that his son is gay and he thinks to be able to beat it out of him. When Daniel meets Karl, actually his not Daniel's father who is beating him, but two strangers in an alley. Daniel is a little guy, pretty and cute and he is not up to a fist fight. Karl instead is a very big man, a former professional body builder, now gym owner, and only his presence is enough to intimidate people. He helps Daniel and offers him shelter when the other guy doesn't want to go immediately home and face another fight. Even if Karl is a big boy, he is gentle and caring and he has also a very funny little female dog who immediately takes in sympathy Daniel.
The story is not very long, 45 pages, but it's sweet and romantic. It's easy and nice, not too much angst and very enjoyable. There is sex, but only a little bit, most of the time the two main characters are together is spent in a peaceful and comfortable family picture, two lovers and a dog playing little house
1.5 stars. So-so short m/m romance about a guy with an abusive father who's rescued by a sweet-tempered bodybuilder. While this was a storyline with potential, awkward writing and an abrupt, inconclusive ending definitely detracted.