The Remaking of Corbin Wale

By Roan Parrish

Love is the real magic ...

Alex Barrow's whole life just imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. Now, he's back in his hometown, opening the bakery he's always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the beautiful man who bewitches Alex.

Corbin Wale is a weirdo—he's heard it his whole life. Yes, he's often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never be with Alex. Even if Alex is everything he's always fantasized about. Even if maybe Corbin is Alex's fantasy too.

When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can't deny their connection. As the holidays work their magic, Alex yearns for the man who seems out of reach. But to be with Alex, Corbin will have to challenge every truth he's ever known. If his holiday risk pays off, two men from different worlds will get the love they've always longed for.

The Remaking of Corbin Wale is a magical holiday romance that is an M/M romance take on Practical Magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monster Press
• Release date: Mar 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9780998967165

Roan Parrish

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she’s gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre. When not writing, she can be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through the city while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

Reviews for The Remaking of Corbin Wale

[brittaniethekid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was quite a nice surprise. I randomly found this book browsing Amazon as it popped up in a "since you liked this other book" recommendation and it was on sale so I figured why not. This reminded me a lot of the manic pixi dream girl YA books I read as a teenager only with my favourite fan fiction tropes thrown in. Down on his luck business owner that can bake? Yes please. (Probably) Autistic artist virgin with a dreamy look in his eyes? Sign me up. Everything coated in magical realism? Just take my wallet. Parrish also has her characters actually talk to each other about ~feelings~ GASP while making them still seem pretty realistic for two adult men characters. Bonus that they're both pretty thirsty for each other. It basically has all the elements to make this a book I couldn't put down and one that I'll be thinking about for a while - especially about some of the bakes described. I really want that oatmeal toast with cinnamon sugar.
The only thing that bummed me out was this looks like a one-off instead of a series, as it was written in 2017 and nothing else has been mentioned from the author. I'd have loved to see Gareth and Orin's story.

[spinsterrevival · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was gorgeous, strange, and very intense; all of it together was a lovely read.

[jamieschecter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I adored this story so much. I don't think I've ever read an MC like Corbin Wale. He's a person people write off as crazy or not all there, but I love how his perspective shows him to be a deeply caring, sensitive man who's developed ways to cope with all the challenges and trauma life has thrown him. I love that Alex takes his time to make Corbin comfortable and puts in the work to create a friendship before diving into a relationship. Alex doesn't invalidate Corbin's experiences or feelings and makes him feel welcome and wanted. A+ pairing and an all around lovely reading experience.

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Roan Parrish has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. her Riven series and Better Than People and Best Laid Plans] standalones are three of my all-time, and many times read, favorites. There was so much to like about this book. It was close to resembling a fairytale. Corbin was almost magical in his innocent. Alex was beyond gentle and understanding with him. It’s not by any means a breezy, quick read... it’s not dark...it’s just complex. It’s a slow burn, but it makes sense how Alex and Corbin come together. Even Alex’s best friend, Garth, fit perfectly into the story. I hated the name of Alex’s bake shop...and I thought that Corbin and Alex should have been portrayed as more the adults that they were, and, Corbin , especially, less childlike. Still a good story with really sweet and loveable characters A word of warning: You can gain 25 pounds just reading about the things that Alex and Corbin bake for Alex's coffee shop:)