Mark and Joe have been together for six months now, and being apart is tough.  Joe can’t wait for Mark to return home from his business trip. He misses Mark terribly and has a surprise he can’t wait to show him.  The surprise part of their reunion is a success, but when Joe decides he wants to have a little fun with his lover and Mark ends up face down in a mud puddle, his bruised pride and ego threaten to put a damper on their good time.  Can Joe ever convince Mark that relationships and being with someone you love isn’t always going to be perfection?

Darling Brat is a great little visit with Joe and Mark.  I loved these guys in Thaw in Winter, and love them even more in Darling Brat.  Joe has his work cut out for him in convincing his straight-laced boyfriend to loosen up a bit.  To Mark’s credit, he is trying. This is a terrific quick read and I look forward to reading more about Joe and Mark.