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A review by colleen_m
On Solid Ground by Melissa Collins
3.0
Quick, sweet read that had some character inconsistencies but overall, a decent story that should keep you entertained for a bit.
Title: On Solid Ground
Author: Melissa Collins
Series: On Solid Ground
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Main Characters:
Jacob “Dax” Daxton is a discharged Army soldier suffering from PTSD after having watched a comrade (and lover) die in his arms. He went into the army to avoid coming to terms with his sexuality and now that he no longer has the regimented routine of war to occupy his mind, he's back to trying to figure out how to deal with his life.
Beckett Ridge is a tattoo artist who's had his fair share of hurt in the past. Coming from a broken home, where his mother was less than useless, and his sister in and out of rehab, he could use a little happiness in his life.
Plot/Conflict:
Dax comes into the shop to get a tattoo done in remembrance of his of fallen comrade. But when he has a panic attack in the middle of the session, Beck’s response makes him realize that Beck is different, and could potentially be a new friend in California, if not more. But Dax is still trying to figure out how to cope outside the military, how to deal with his anxiety attacks, come out to his family, and find a job. Meanwhile Beck’s sister is back in rehab, leaving him with her young daughter to take care of. Their timing is awful, but if they can stick it out, there is definitely something there.
Loves:
Eh. I liked a lot about this book, but not a lot of loves.
Likes:
I liked Dax’s easy acceptance of his attraction to Beck. I went into this thinking he was seriously closeted, completely in denial, but he wasn’t, he’s had a relationship with a man before at least, while he was in the army. I liked the real portrayal of PTSD, and veteran services. This was definitely a highlight for me.
I liked the throw in of the dangerous element. Towards the end of the book, Beck’s niece turns out to be in danger, and Dax has to swoop in and save the day. This helped balance out the internal struggle drama between Beck and Dax.
Peeves:
So there was some drama, mostly in the form of half-formed jealousy due to miscommunication. Or lack of communication. That was annoyingly unnecessary and angsty.
There were a lot of subplots going on. Not too many to keep track of, but it was kinda weird for them to keep popping up and they didn’t always lend themselves to furthering the main story.
There were some incongruous moments for me with Dax. Here is this shy, PTSD ridden vet, who is terrified to make a move, and then once he is with Beck, he turns into a confident alpha male in the sack. It was a jarring switch, and then when we get back to Dax’s POV, he is back to being timid. He also switched from emotionally distant to in love ridiculously quickly.
Favorite Quote:
Title: On Solid Ground
Author: Melissa Collins
Series: On Solid Ground
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Main Characters:
Jacob “Dax” Daxton is a discharged Army soldier suffering from PTSD after having watched a comrade (and lover) die in his arms. He went into the army to avoid coming to terms with his sexuality and now that he no longer has the regimented routine of war to occupy his mind, he's back to trying to figure out how to deal with his life.
Beckett Ridge is a tattoo artist who's had his fair share of hurt in the past. Coming from a broken home, where his mother was less than useless, and his sister in and out of rehab, he could use a little happiness in his life.
Plot/Conflict:
Dax comes into the shop to get a tattoo done in remembrance of his of fallen comrade. But when he has a panic attack in the middle of the session, Beck’s response makes him realize that Beck is different, and could potentially be a new friend in California, if not more. But Dax is still trying to figure out how to cope outside the military, how to deal with his anxiety attacks, come out to his family, and find a job. Meanwhile Beck’s sister is back in rehab, leaving him with her young daughter to take care of. Their timing is awful, but if they can stick it out, there is definitely something there.
Loves:
Eh. I liked a lot about this book, but not a lot of loves.
Likes:
I liked Dax’s easy acceptance of his attraction to Beck. I went into this thinking he was seriously closeted, completely in denial, but he wasn’t, he’s had a relationship with a man before at least, while he was in the army. I liked the real portrayal of PTSD, and veteran services. This was definitely a highlight for me.
I liked the throw in of the dangerous element. Towards the end of the book, Beck’s niece turns out to be in danger, and Dax has to swoop in and save the day. This helped balance out the internal struggle drama between Beck and Dax.
Peeves:
So there was some drama, mostly in the form of half-formed jealousy due to miscommunication. Or lack of communication. That was annoyingly unnecessary and angsty.
There were a lot of subplots going on. Not too many to keep track of, but it was kinda weird for them to keep popping up
Spoiler
Dax’s father dying, Delaney’s final letter, the VA guys, Beck’s rape years back, etc.There were some incongruous moments for me with Dax. Here is this shy, PTSD ridden vet, who is terrified to make a move, and then once he is with Beck, he turns into a confident alpha male in the sack. It was a jarring switch, and then when we get back to Dax’s POV, he is back to being timid. He also switched from emotionally distant to in love ridiculously quickly.
Favorite Quote:
Life is like that sometimes. It backs you up into the corner, kicks you while you’re down, makes you question everything you know, who you are and then leaves you so bloody and beaten that gettings up seems impossible.
But then your lungs start working again. The beating of your heart rouses you from the coma you thought you were in. Your legs start moving once more, and before you know it, you’re standing - and running, fast and far away from everything you thought you ever knew about yourself, about the world.