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Dropping Anchor #2
Finding Home
Dropping Anchor: Book Two
When an inheritance fell in Ian Mackay's lap, he fled the high-pressure banking industry and didn't look back. Since then, he's spent four years living carefree on the island of Tortola, his life a series of hookups and hanging out with friends.
After his best friend moves to Seattle and gets married, Ian finds himself lost. His unapologetic existence doesn't hold the same appeal, and he wonders if he's throwing his life away. After visiting Niall in Seattle, Ian decides to stay, but that means taking his life off hold and finding a real job. Meeting Luke Keys, who is about as far from a player as possible, isn't the plan but might be just what Ian needs. Luke and his values intrigue Ian, and he pursues Luke ruthlessly until Luke agrees to a date.
Their courtship sweeps Ian off his feet, and when the relationship gets complicated, Ian has the chance to cut and run. Habits born from years of being on his own are hard to shake, and self-proclaimed playboy Ian must decide if love is worth fighting for.
When an inheritance fell in Ian Mackay's lap, he fled the high-pressure banking industry and didn't look back. Since then, he's spent four years living carefree on the island of Tortola, his life a series of hookups and hanging out with friends.
After his best friend moves to Seattle and gets married, Ian finds himself lost. His unapologetic existence doesn't hold the same appeal, and he wonders if he's throwing his life away. After visiting Niall in Seattle, Ian decides to stay, but that means taking his life off hold and finding a real job. Meeting Luke Keys, who is about as far from a player as possible, isn't the plan but might be just what Ian needs. Luke and his values intrigue Ian, and he pursues Luke ruthlessly until Luke agrees to a date.
Their courtship sweeps Ian off his feet, and when the relationship gets complicated, Ian has the chance to cut and run. Habits born from years of being on his own are hard to shake, and self-proclaimed playboy Ian must decide if love is worth fighting for.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2014
8 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Bru Baker
43 books121 followersBru Baker writes sophisticated gay romantic fiction with strong characters, real-world problems, and plenty of humor.
Bru spent fifteen years writing for newspapers before making the jump to fiction. She now balances her time between writing and working at a Midwestern library in the reference department. Whether it’s creating her own characters or getting caught up in someone else’s, there’s no denying that Bru is happiest when she’s engrossed in a story. She and her husband have two children, which means a lot of her books get written from the sidelines of various sports practices.
Bru spent fifteen years writing for newspapers before making the jump to fiction. She now balances her time between writing and working at a Midwestern library in the reference department. Whether it’s creating her own characters or getting caught up in someone else’s, there’s no denying that Bru is happiest when she’s engrossed in a story. She and her husband have two children, which means a lot of her books get written from the sidelines of various sports practices.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 4, 2014
4 star review by Roberta
What a sweet, romantic story to read. I was really thrilled to read a mostly angst-free story.
Ian Mackay is this wonderfully Scottish playboy who lives on the island of Tortola. Ian has been living the island life for 5 years and lately it’s not the same. Something is missing in his life and he’s just so unsatisfied. Ian’s youth wasn’t what you’d particularly happy. He’s the product of an wonderful professor mother and an alcoholic father. He doesn’t believe in marriage as he watched his parent’s marriage fall apart. Ian is this really sweet, wonderful, funny guy who at times made me laugh out loud and at others just want to hug him. Ian’s ability to take care of those around him, was sweet to watch. To see that he did in fact have a family of his own, and to watch him realize it, was really kinda cool.
Luke Keys is this great character. He’s this guy who has so many responsibilities that they are coming out of his pores. He’s a yoga instructor, bartender and works at a brewery. Luke is also a voracious reader. That’s my FAVORITE part of Luke’s character. Luke is really hard to pin down as he’s so busy and yet, there’s another secret from Ian that he kept for awhile. Luke has guardianship of his nephew, Leo. Luke feels that as he didn’t go to college and he does so much and also takes care of Leo that he’s not as well educated as Ian, and that is where he’s wrong IMHO. Luke is so talented and smart and giving and so very loyal. Leo is his world and EVERYTHING that he does, is to make sure that Leo is well provided for and taken care of. He’s got a really great relationship with his mother and Leo and adding someone new is scary for him, but he’s willing to try it, however, it’s at a slower pace that works for him.
This book was such a sweet and very tender love story. It’s the story a man who doesn’t know until it happens that he’s capable of such love for another. That even though he shows his friends that he cares, he’s truly unaware of how it touches those in his life. To find that one special person who truly completes him, makes him a bit scared, however, I love that Ian proved not only to himself, but to Luke that he’ll stand and fight for what he wants. Watching Ian grow as a person was truly a wonderful gift and I enjoyed it a lot. Ian had this wonderful sense of humor that kept me giggling and truly enjoying him.
I have to say that this book was really about the growing of Ian and for Luke a bit. They each had to learn that they can’t do everything themselves. That there is always help available and they just needed to avail themselves to it.
This book did have some sexy times in it, however, it wasn’t very explicit, the times that the sex was on screen. More often than not, it was more fade to black. I’m normally a big fan of some really hot, explicit manlove, but for this story it truly worked out better this way and I NEVER thought I’d say those words. But it just added to the sweetness of this story.
I didn’t read the first book in the series and I didn’t feel that I missed out. There was enough of the characters in the story as well as a bit of backstory when it came up to truly be able to follow what was in the first book and not feel lost.
I will say that I really enjoyed this story. I liked this was such a sweet love story. There wasn’t truly much angst in it and that made this a wonderful read.
A copy of this book was provided for reviewing. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!
What a sweet, romantic story to read. I was really thrilled to read a mostly angst-free story.
Ian Mackay is this wonderfully Scottish playboy who lives on the island of Tortola. Ian has been living the island life for 5 years and lately it’s not the same. Something is missing in his life and he’s just so unsatisfied. Ian’s youth wasn’t what you’d particularly happy. He’s the product of an wonderful professor mother and an alcoholic father. He doesn’t believe in marriage as he watched his parent’s marriage fall apart. Ian is this really sweet, wonderful, funny guy who at times made me laugh out loud and at others just want to hug him. Ian’s ability to take care of those around him, was sweet to watch. To see that he did in fact have a family of his own, and to watch him realize it, was really kinda cool.
Luke Keys is this great character. He’s this guy who has so many responsibilities that they are coming out of his pores. He’s a yoga instructor, bartender and works at a brewery. Luke is also a voracious reader. That’s my FAVORITE part of Luke’s character. Luke is really hard to pin down as he’s so busy and yet, there’s another secret from Ian that he kept for awhile. Luke has guardianship of his nephew, Leo. Luke feels that as he didn’t go to college and he does so much and also takes care of Leo that he’s not as well educated as Ian, and that is where he’s wrong IMHO. Luke is so talented and smart and giving and so very loyal. Leo is his world and EVERYTHING that he does, is to make sure that Leo is well provided for and taken care of. He’s got a really great relationship with his mother and Leo and adding someone new is scary for him, but he’s willing to try it, however, it’s at a slower pace that works for him.
This book was such a sweet and very tender love story. It’s the story a man who doesn’t know until it happens that he’s capable of such love for another. That even though he shows his friends that he cares, he’s truly unaware of how it touches those in his life. To find that one special person who truly completes him, makes him a bit scared, however, I love that Ian proved not only to himself, but to Luke that he’ll stand and fight for what he wants. Watching Ian grow as a person was truly a wonderful gift and I enjoyed it a lot. Ian had this wonderful sense of humor that kept me giggling and truly enjoying him.
I have to say that this book was really about the growing of Ian and for Luke a bit. They each had to learn that they can’t do everything themselves. That there is always help available and they just needed to avail themselves to it.
This book did have some sexy times in it, however, it wasn’t very explicit, the times that the sex was on screen. More often than not, it was more fade to black. I’m normally a big fan of some really hot, explicit manlove, but for this story it truly worked out better this way and I NEVER thought I’d say those words. But it just added to the sweetness of this story.
I didn’t read the first book in the series and I didn’t feel that I missed out. There was enough of the characters in the story as well as a bit of backstory when it came up to truly be able to follow what was in the first book and not feel lost.
I will say that I really enjoyed this story. I liked this was such a sweet love story. There wasn’t truly much angst in it and that made this a wonderful read.
A copy of this book was provided for reviewing. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaways!
August 1, 2014
Hearts on Fire Review
Original Review Published here: http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=28069
Finding Home is the second book in the Dropping Anchor series by Bru Baker. This book might be part of a series but can be read as a standalone novel with ease. However, there are several characters that appear this book that was in the prior.
Ian Mackay is more of an anti-hero. He spent much of his time the last few years hooking up with anyone he can find. He unhappy with his playboy life style and seems to be looking for more. He is not what many expect with is Portuguese looks and Scottish accent. Upon meeting Luke, Ian seems to want to date him, unknown and different territory for Ian.
Luke Keys is a man who works three job to take care of his nephew who he has custody of. Luke does not seem to date much spending much of his time either working, or with is nephew. Luke is a complicate man who is warier of Ian’s motives. He makes Ian take is very slow.
The connection between Ian and Luke is searing. I enjoyed seeing Ian and Luke work to make their relationship work. I also liked seeing both Ian and Luke parent the nephew who loved both of them. I liked that the sex scenes were not very detailed and the story was more about the relationship and not about the sex between them.
This book is very well written. The overall plot was very believable. The ending was not as predictable as I thought it might be. However, it was the journey this book takes you was enjoyable and interesting. The main and secondary characters were interesting and mesmerizing. Overall, this was a great book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Original Review Published here: http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=28069
Finding Home is the second book in the Dropping Anchor series by Bru Baker. This book might be part of a series but can be read as a standalone novel with ease. However, there are several characters that appear this book that was in the prior.
Ian Mackay is more of an anti-hero. He spent much of his time the last few years hooking up with anyone he can find. He unhappy with his playboy life style and seems to be looking for more. He is not what many expect with is Portuguese looks and Scottish accent. Upon meeting Luke, Ian seems to want to date him, unknown and different territory for Ian.
Luke Keys is a man who works three job to take care of his nephew who he has custody of. Luke does not seem to date much spending much of his time either working, or with is nephew. Luke is a complicate man who is warier of Ian’s motives. He makes Ian take is very slow.
The connection between Ian and Luke is searing. I enjoyed seeing Ian and Luke work to make their relationship work. I also liked seeing both Ian and Luke parent the nephew who loved both of them. I liked that the sex scenes were not very detailed and the story was more about the relationship and not about the sex between them.
This book is very well written. The overall plot was very believable. The ending was not as predictable as I thought it might be. However, it was the journey this book takes you was enjoyable and interesting. The main and secondary characters were interesting and mesmerizing. Overall, this was a great book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
February 26, 2015
Wow I loved this! I really enjoyed the first book, but this was better for me. I fell in total love with Ian, Luke, and Leo and i was so glad to see so much of Ethan and Niall again. It was great to see Ian grow and to see Luke assimilate to life as a parent who is dating. There were times that the book felt rushed (it would all of a sudden skip to 2 weeks later), but it wasn't too bad. I do wish I saw more of them as a couple and a bit more of how they connected, as a lot of it was off page. Either way, I loved it and want more. I would love to see a bit more of Ian, Luke, Ethan, and Niall a bit further down the road.
July 10, 2014
Bru Baker loves her characters! She loves to put them through a lot too! I gladly accept that and go along for the ride. Luke and Ian are amazing and each have such epic struggles to overcome. Separate, it's hard but not impossible. Together, it's still hard but more rewarding than either anticipate. I read this book and it filled me with hope and it showed that anyone can have a futre if you have someone who loves you holing your hand through it.
July 26, 2014
2nd book of a series but can be read as a stand alone - wouldn't advise it, though - the first book is too good to miss. Slow burn, HEA, sex used to advance the plot, a comfort read with no fluff and a joy to read. This will be a reread for me.
August 26, 2025
The exciting playboy life and one night hook ups Tortola was wearing a bit thin for Ian Mackay. He missed his friend Niall, the guy he had tried to seduce, when he met Ethan and left Tortola to go live with Ethan in Seattle. When the boredom got too much, Ian decided to get off Tortola and head to Miami for more hook ups. However he ended up in Seattle with Ethan and Niall to help them prepare for their wedding.
Nothing prepared Ian for what unfolded within weeks, his life was upside down and he was falling for a guy who served him his drinks at a bar he found. When Luke isn’t impressed with Ian’s flirtyness and innuendos he doesn’t give up.
Ian was in the previous book and the difference in his character in Seattle compared to Tortola is amazing. He’s overwhelmed by the affection he receives from Niall and Ethan’s friends. They give him everything he missed when growing up with his alcoholic father, who has made him feel unloved and unworthy. Now he’s struggling to let others get too close in case they hurt him too.
Ian loves the job he found and helping out at the Sailing school with Niall. When Luke drops a bombshell on Ian, he scarpers off to his friend Niall yet again to help him sort out what is happening to him and fix the big boo boo that Ian made.
I enjoyed the nitty grittiness as much as the warm welcoming feelings Ian received from all his new friends, Susannah, Clare and her brother Frank and his husband Warner, Mrs. Jim and not forgetting little Leo.
One more book to go in this series and I can’t guess yet, who it will focus on this time. Looking forward to that.
Nothing prepared Ian for what unfolded within weeks, his life was upside down and he was falling for a guy who served him his drinks at a bar he found. When Luke isn’t impressed with Ian’s flirtyness and innuendos he doesn’t give up.
Ian was in the previous book and the difference in his character in Seattle compared to Tortola is amazing. He’s overwhelmed by the affection he receives from Niall and Ethan’s friends. They give him everything he missed when growing up with his alcoholic father, who has made him feel unloved and unworthy. Now he’s struggling to let others get too close in case they hurt him too.
Ian loves the job he found and helping out at the Sailing school with Niall. When Luke drops a bombshell on Ian, he scarpers off to his friend Niall yet again to help him sort out what is happening to him and fix the big boo boo that Ian made.
I enjoyed the nitty grittiness as much as the warm welcoming feelings Ian received from all his new friends, Susannah, Clare and her brother Frank and his husband Warner, Mrs. Jim and not forgetting little Leo.
One more book to go in this series and I can’t guess yet, who it will focus on this time. Looking forward to that.
February 19, 2018
Ahh - Ian is a wonderful character, complex in the simplicity of not knowing what he wants to do with his life. He knows he needs something new but doesn't know what that 'new' should be.
Luke is careful and caring and going to make sure any man he gets involved with will be a good match for his family.
And the galaxy craft scene had me laughing out loud. Too funny.
Luke is careful and caring and going to make sure any man he gets involved with will be a good match for his family.
And the galaxy craft scene had me laughing out loud. Too funny.
December 17, 2017
THIS BOOK MADE ME SO HAPPY!
July 24, 2015
Reviewed by Brandilyn for Prism Book Alliance. After enjoying the first book in the Dropping Anchor series from Bru Baker, I was interested to see how she continued the universe. Book 2, Finding Home, stars Ian, who we briefly saw in Island Home as a friend to Niall and the object of Ethan's jealousy. In this installment, he is best friends with Niall. Find the whole review at http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
October 8, 2016
2nd book in a series of 3. I enjoyed them all.
They take place in the islands and Seattle - great MC's, not quite what I was expecting, some interesting twists that kept the whole series sexy, fun and entertaining.
They take place in the islands and Seattle - great MC's, not quite what I was expecting, some interesting twists that kept the whole series sexy, fun and entertaining.
July 28, 2014
3.5 stars.
August 5, 2015
I like it because Ian does not stay as an asshole. I like Luke and Leo too.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews