4 out of 5 stars
Ebook. Kindle Unlimited. 236 pages. Published April 1 2018
Blurb:
“If you never try, you’ll never know” Former Navy officer Austin’s career was ended by a plane crash, sending him back to his hometown. When he catches a guy breaking into the apartment opposite, he’s shocked to find it’s his old buddy’s little cousin, all grown up…and stirring feelings that make Austin question his sexuality.
Hale’s always had a crush on Austin, but he came to Hidden Creek looking for three things: love, adventure, and his missing cousin. Austin can’t return his feelings…or can he? Being with a straight guy is a recipe for disaster, but Hale can’t help himself.
Tracking down Hale’s missing cousin may turn out to be the least of their problems. When danger strikes, Austin figures out why he still wants so badly to protect Hale. In Hale, Austin finally sees the light that was missing from his life.
Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains gourmet meals, dangerous liaisons, and plenty of steam.
Likes:
- Hale and Austin are both interesting characters.
- The plot kept me on the edge of my seat.
- Hot sex scenes.
- Austin’s acceptance that he needs therapy.
Dislikes:
- Because the plot is so action driven, there’s not a lot about Hale or Austin’s life outside of finding Michael.
- Some things weren’t explained well.
- Some ridiculous parts about the mystery aspect.
- After the action ended the momentum died off.
This book had me hooked right from the start. Hale develops and instant crush on Austin the moment they meet as teens. It’s a crush doomed to failure, until they run into each other as adults. This book had a ‘finally cool as an adult’ theme that I really enjoyed.
The plot was very amateur sleuth, right up until sh*t got real. It was part mystery, part action, with lots of flirting and, eventually, sex. But some things weren’t explained well, especially at the end. I don’t exactly have questions about what happened, it’s more like I expected to learn more and that didn’t happen.
Hale and Austin’s relationship was fun to watch. It was like Hale had so much magnetism that Austin couldn’t pull himself away even though his brain kept trying to remind him that he was straight. Austin eventually ends up calling himself ‘straight-ish’ which is a bit annoying. Why not just call it what it is and say he’s bi?
I will say that the focus on the action/mystery plot left little time to really get to know the details about Hale and Austin’s lives. I know big things about them, but I didn’t connect to them the way I’ve connected to other characters in this series, like Gabriel and Orion. Maybe it’s because the story takes place over only a couple of days and it’s this crazy whirlwind of activity.
Avery Ford is definitely an author I’ll have to read more from and I’m glad this book introduced me to them.
Love is Love Reviews 