4 stars
What a lovely story! I really enjoyed it, it was the right mix of love, spice, a little bit of tension and a wonderful HEA.
Russell is a famous photographer who, after a nasty public breakup with his also famous boyfriend, goes back to his hometown, buys a cabin and retreats there to lick his wounds. He joins a forum of fellow photographers and "meets" Aiden.
Aiden is younger than Russell, he dropped out of college to take care of his mother, sick with cancer, while working odd jobs and navigating a toxic relationship with his landlord's son. After his mother's death, Aiden accepts Russell's proposal to join him in his town to chase the Northern Lights.
Russell and Aiden have started falling in love with each other during endless chats and shared photos but, despite hitting it off immediately in real life and being very comfortable around each other, they hold back: their negative past experiences influence their behaviour and they both think they could never be enough for the other.
But feeling and attraction push them into each other's arms and they surrender: their first time together was very beautiful and emotional, so filled with feelings.
There are some obstacles on their path, but luckily, no miscommunication or unnecessary angst.
What prevented me from giving 5 stars:
I would have love more intimate moments, like the first time they shared a bed. It felt like their intimacy and closeness was always on/off.
Luc being still saved as Hot Stuff in Russell's phone bothered me.
It seems this is the first book of a series, so I hope we'll get to see Jonah and Daniel again.
Recommended.
Thanks to Alicia for suggesting this book.