Scan barcode
allingoodtime's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a grumpy/sunshine story, which is something I always love, but Holden is having a difficult time keeping his sun shining lately. Being the guy in the wheelchair, the class clown, and the eternal optimist is a lot of pressure. Holden is an extrovert and loves being around people, but his chronic pain as well as a recent bout of loneliness has made it harder to keep on his happy face. He’s so used to bringing joy, he doesn’t want to let anyone down or have anyone pity him. He thinks nobody can see through him when his smile is just a bit too bright and his jokes are just a bit too forced…until Cal comes to town.
Cal is a lone wolf. He’s never had much of a family, so he made his own family in the Navy. Becoming a SEAL gave him the connections he was always missing growing up, but he lost that “found family” in one fell swoop and hasn’t had the desire to try again. Cal feels like even when he had a found family, it was obvious he was easy to discard so why bother? There is instant chemistry between Cal and Holden. While Cal tries to put distance between them, Holden doesn’t back down. Soon they are roommates trying to ignore the obvious sparks.
There is a scene early on that is the catalyst for Holden and Cal finally giving in to their desires which is fantastically good. I was honestly embarrassed for these fictional characters to the extent that I was blushing, and I rarely blush. You’ll see it coming. You know what’s going to happen, but you cannot stop it from happening. Very well written. It’s funny, endearing, mortifying, and so darn hot.
While Holden is sweet and pretty level-headed, even he has some unresolved issues to work through when it comes to relationships. Even though both men hold everything so close to the chest with others, they are extremely open and honest with each other in most things. Cal has so many self-esteem issues but Holden is patient and quite good at expressing his admiration for Cal.
There is the continuation of the murder mystery cold case from the first book, Bring Me Home, running throughout this story. And the next (final?) book will finally bring Worth home to deal with his mother’s death all those years ago and hopefully give Sam his HEA. While this is a series with that as yet unfinished storyline, I believe these stories can also be read as standalone books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Grief
More...