ARC Review: The Remaking of Corbin Wale by Roan Parrish

Blurb:

Last month, Alex Barrow’s whole life imploded—partner, home, job, all gone in forty-eight hours. But sometimes when everything falls apart, better things appear almost like magic. Now, he’s back in his Michigan hometown, finally opening the bakery he’s always dreamed of. But the pleasure of opening day is nothing compared to the lonely and beautiful man who bewitches Alex before he even orders.

Corbin Wale is a weirdo. At least, that’s what he’s heard his whole life. He knows he’s often in a fantasy world, but the things he feels are very real. And so is the reason why he can never, ever be with Alex Barrow. Even if Alex is everything he’s always fantasized about. Even if maybe, just maybe, Corbin is Alex’s fantasy too.

When Corbin begins working at the bakery, he and Alex can’t deny their connection any longer. As the holiday season works its 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.

Jewel's rating:

"You remake the world a hundred times a day.

The Remaking of Corbin Wale is a story made of magic. It's roots steeped in metaphor and fashioned and baked with love. I savored every delicious word.

Corbin Wale is cursed, or so he believes, anyway. Everyone treats him like he's a freak and Corbin believes they're right. Corbin has led such a solitary life, it just broke me. He believes that he can't get close to anyone. That everything he touches is tainted. Wrong. But Corbin has such a huge heart and his imagination is vast, so he took to drawing to keep him company. Many of the characters he drew became his friends and companions, and he wouldn't let himself hope for more. Until Alex.

Alex Barrow just moved back to Ann Arbor to regroup after losing his job in New York and having his relationship end all within a space of 48 hours. It was like the fates were telling him he needed to take a step back and reevaluate his life. So he did. He moved back home and took over the family run cafe and turned it into a bakery. Alex finally feels right again, especially when he meets Corbin Wale. Alex needs to be needed and he's never found that. He's protective of those he cares about and Corbin activates that instinct in him unlike anyone ever has.


There was so much about this story that just burrowed deep in my being and stayed there. While the story really didn't strike me as paranormal or fantasy, at all, it still felt a bit magical. Otherworldly. The way Corbin saw the world was unique and I am in awe of him. But no one, until Alex, saw Corbin at all. Not really.

The Remaking of Corbin Wale is about reshaping who you are. It's about refashioning your world view. It's about needing someone and being needed in return. It's about love.

There was more in the world than he’d ever been told. And there was less.

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ARC of The Remaking of Corbin Wale was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

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