Expected Release Date: November 18, 2011
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://kcburn.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Official Blurb:
Detective Kurt O’Donnell is used to digging up other people’s secrets, but when he discovers his slain partner was married to another man, it shakes him. Determined to do the right thing, Kurt offers the mourning Davy his assistance. Helping Davy through his grief helps Kurt deal with the guilt that his partner didn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth, and somewhere along the way Davy stops being an obligation and becomes a friend, the closest friend Kurt has ever had.
His growing attraction to Davy complicates matters, leaving Kurt struggling to reevaluate his sexuality. Then a sensual encounter neither man is ready for confuses them further. To be with Davy, Kurt must face the prospect of coming out, but his job and his relationship with his Catholic family are on the line. Can he risk destroying his life for the uncertain possibility of a relationship with a newly widowed man?
What Worked For Me:
- I loved that Davy didn’t really fit in with a sterotype I was expecting based on some of his earlier behavior in the story. No spoilers, but… nom.
- I’m a sucker for a tortured hero. Grieving, emotionally abused, and completely out of his element in his newfound friendship with Kurt, Davy was an absolute joy, even when he made serious mistakes.
- The love scenes were wild and passionate, without crossing over into BDSM or taking over the story, which I loved.
- Oh the angst. The annnnnggggggssssssttttt. De-li-cious. We’ve got Davy grieving over his partner’s death, overcoming the emotional abuse he suffered throughout that relationship, and fighting his attraction to Kurt. Then we’ve got Kurt coming to terms with the idea that he might be *gasp* gay, and how coming out will affect his life, both personally and professionally. Coming from a devout Catholic family, he is terrified that he will lose the love of his large family, and as a police officer, he sees the quiet bullying and discrimination that other homosexual officers have to suffer through.
- I’m not a big fan of protagonists spending a long amount of time apart, even though it was absolutely necessary for the plot. Estranged lovers just hurt my heart, even when they make for an exceptional read.
- Part of the ending just seemed a little too… not convenient, per say, but.. unrealistic perhaps.
I have to be up front and honest here — KC Burn is hands-down one of my go-to authors when I want a passionate, sexy, emotional love story between two fellas. She ranks right up there with Josh Lanyon for me, so that should tell you something.
There were a few minor things in this story that I wasn’t really a fan of, but that was more because of my own personal preferences in romance rather than some issue with the writing style or character development.
I really enjoyed Davy’s character in general, and watching Kurt struggle over his sexual identity was heartbreaking, sexy, and beautiful.
A very solid 4/5 Stars.
