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Porthkennack #4
House of Cards
Calum Hardy’s life has unravelled. Reeling from the betrayal of a man he once loved, he boards a train heading south, with no real idea where he’s going except a world away from London.
Brix Lusmoore can hardly believe his eyes when he spots one of his oldest friends outside Truro station. He hasn’t seen Calum since he fled the capital himself four years ago, harbouring a life-changing secret. But despite the years of silence, their old bond remains, warm and true—and layered with simmering heat they’ve never forgotten.
Calum takes refuge with Brix and a job at his Porthkennack tattoo shop. Bit by bit, he rebuilds his life, but both men carry the ghosts of the past, and it will take more than a rekindled friendship and the magic of the Cornish coast to chase them away.
Part of a series, but can be read as a STANDALONE.
Brix Lusmoore can hardly believe his eyes when he spots one of his oldest friends outside Truro station. He hasn’t seen Calum since he fled the capital himself four years ago, harbouring a life-changing secret. But despite the years of silence, their old bond remains, warm and true—and layered with simmering heat they’ve never forgotten.
Calum takes refuge with Brix and a job at his Porthkennack tattoo shop. Bit by bit, he rebuilds his life, but both men carry the ghosts of the past, and it will take more than a rekindled friendship and the magic of the Cornish coast to chase them away.
Part of a series, but can be read as a STANDALONE.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2024
79 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
About the author
Garrett Leigh
91 books2,427 followersShe/Her
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
Bonus Material available for all books on Garrett's Patreon account. Includes short stories from Misfits, Slide, Strays, What Remains, Dream, and much more. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/garrettleigh
Facebook Fan Group, Garrett's Den... https://www.facebook.com/groups/garre...
Garrett Leigh is an award-winning British romance author and artist. Her debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and she is a 4 time LAMBDA finalist.
In 2017, she won the EPIC award in contemporary romance with her military novel, Between Ghosts, and the contemporary romance category in the Bisexual Book Awards with her novel What Remains.
Garrett is also an award winning cover designer, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
July 1, 2017
4.5 Stars.
The sign of a good book(for me) is if I'm still thinking about it hours after I've finished it-and this was definitely the case here.I found my thoughts drifting back to Calum and Brix's story a lot.
House of Cards isn't a fluffy MM romance.It deals with some difficult topics but the story felt real.
Calum Hardy's life fell apart in the blink of an eye.After the worst kind of betrayal,he's lost his home,his job...
Desperate to get away from London he gets on a train with no idea where he's going or what the future holds for him.He ends up in Truro,in Cornwall.
Brix Lusmoore had his own reasons for leaving London 4 years ago and is now settled in his home town of Porthkennack.He's reasonably content with his life but something is definitely missing.Brix is one of life's givers, he rescues chickens,he opened a Tattoo shop..more for others than himself.He can't quite believe it when he stumbles across his old friend,Calum,one night outside the Truro train station.
This book worked for me in so many ways,
-the writing just drew me in right from the start,
-Brix and Calum had great chemistry,not just sexually...in fact that almost took a back seat.I enjoyed them talking and just being together,
-some fascinating supporting characters,
-the setting in the County of Cornwall was so beautifully described and atmospheric.
Both men are struggling,both have pasts and issues to deal with and the Author definitely kept it real.
Given the subject matter it's understandably an extremely slow burn and anything less wouldn't have worked here and I was so caught up in the story I really didn't notice.
Conclusion: Brix and Calum stole my heart and I loved their story.
Highly Recommended.
I received an Arc of House of Cards from Riptide Publishing,via the Author,in exchange for an honest review..
The sign of a good book(for me) is if I'm still thinking about it hours after I've finished it-and this was definitely the case here.I found my thoughts drifting back to Calum and Brix's story a lot.
House of Cards isn't a fluffy MM romance.It deals with some difficult topics but the story felt real.
Calum Hardy's life fell apart in the blink of an eye.After the worst kind of betrayal,he's lost his home,his job...
Desperate to get away from London he gets on a train with no idea where he's going or what the future holds for him.He ends up in Truro,in Cornwall.
Brix Lusmoore had his own reasons for leaving London 4 years ago and is now settled in his home town of Porthkennack.He's reasonably content with his life but something is definitely missing.Brix is one of life's givers, he rescues chickens,he opened a Tattoo shop..more for others than himself.He can't quite believe it when he stumbles across his old friend,Calum,one night outside the Truro train station.
This book worked for me in so many ways,
-the writing just drew me in right from the start,
-Brix and Calum had great chemistry,not just sexually...in fact that almost took a back seat.I enjoyed them talking and just being together,
-some fascinating supporting characters,
-the setting in the County of Cornwall was so beautifully described and atmospheric.
Both men are struggling,both have pasts and issues to deal with and the Author definitely kept it real.
Given the subject matter it's understandably an extremely slow burn and anything less wouldn't have worked here and I was so caught up in the story I really didn't notice.
Conclusion: Brix and Calum stole my heart and I loved their story.
Highly Recommended.
I received an Arc of House of Cards from Riptide Publishing,via the Author,in exchange for an honest review..
June 20, 2017
4.5 Stars!
I used to be a little more hesitant when it came to a new Garrett Leigh book, but not so much any more. Her style just works for me.
Yeah, her reads are a bit more melancholy. They aren't usually hearts and flowers. But they really bring the emotions. I'm almost always sucked in to the story and the characters from the get go. I almost always have that emotional connection.
This was probably the least amount of steam I've seen in a Garrett Leigh book. But in all honesty in makes sense here. And because of the emotions she evokes in her writing, you can feel the chemistry between the MCs. She is one of the few authors that can pull off little to no steam in her books.
House of Cards was definitely a win for me. I enjoyed the setting, Porthkennack did seem like a magical place. I loved the side characters as well. Brix's crazy family, all of the gang at the tattoo shop....a few of which I wouldn't mind getting their own story.
Definitely a recommended read.
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I used to be a little more hesitant when it came to a new Garrett Leigh book, but not so much any more. Her style just works for me.
Yeah, her reads are a bit more melancholy. They aren't usually hearts and flowers. But they really bring the emotions. I'm almost always sucked in to the story and the characters from the get go. I almost always have that emotional connection.
This was probably the least amount of steam I've seen in a Garrett Leigh book. But in all honesty in makes sense here. And because of the emotions she evokes in her writing, you can feel the chemistry between the MCs. She is one of the few authors that can pull off little to no steam in her books.
House of Cards was definitely a win for me. I enjoyed the setting, Porthkennack did seem like a magical place. I loved the side characters as well. Brix's crazy family, all of the gang at the tattoo shop....a few of which I wouldn't mind getting their own story.
Definitely a recommended read.
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
June 8, 2019
4 Stars
Overall, Leigh is not ever going to be my go to author only because she's known for angst and weighty painful story arcs with characters who have a shit ton of struggle. Granted, that’s on me and not the author, as I rarely want to read about that sort of thing. However, I can't deny that this was compelling despite several tough topics.
Calum and Brix were wonderfully complex and frustrating and didn’t communicate with each other on purpose. These two have a shared history and have always had deep feels for the other. However, life’s unpredictable challenges and their own insecurities and doubts often got in the way and thus, they don’t reconnect til years later when both have been through some extremely low points and personal painful revelations. Can they move beyond their past to make it real this time around?
What this excelled at for me was the quiet yearning, the healing, and the change in Calum and Brix’s world view, that they deserved something better, that they deserved to have each other.
I didn't skim. I didn't stall. This flowed very easily and despite my own personal quibbles and preferences, this was executed wonderfully with a fulfilling HEA.
Overall, Leigh is not ever going to be my go to author only because she's known for angst and weighty painful story arcs with characters who have a shit ton of struggle. Granted, that’s on me and not the author, as I rarely want to read about that sort of thing. However, I can't deny that this was compelling despite several tough topics.
Calum and Brix were wonderfully complex and frustrating and didn’t communicate with each other on purpose. These two have a shared history and have always had deep feels for the other. However, life’s unpredictable challenges and their own insecurities and doubts often got in the way and thus, they don’t reconnect til years later when both have been through some extremely low points and personal painful revelations. Can they move beyond their past to make it real this time around?
What this excelled at for me was the quiet yearning, the healing, and the change in Calum and Brix’s world view, that they deserved something better, that they deserved to have each other.
I didn't skim. I didn't stall. This flowed very easily and despite my own personal quibbles and preferences, this was executed wonderfully with a fulfilling HEA.
May 25, 2019
4.5 Stars
This multi-author written Porthkennack series has been a real highlight of my M/M reading over this past year or so, and this installment was no exception.
House of Cards is Garrett Leigh’s first addition to the series and, I daresay, one of the best offerings so far. I particularly appreciated the perfect pacing of the slow-burn romance which unfolded here between old friends Brix and Callum, whom by all accounts were two very complex and troubled men in their own rights, making them extra deserving of the happiness they eventually found together.
This was a poignant read for me, but one I relished every second of. I loved Brix and Callum, not only as individuals, but as friends, work colleagues, and definitely as eventual lovers. I liked watching them grow together and open up about the hard shit, which wasn’t an easy feat considering the depth of their past hurts and the continuing emotional battles they were each dealing with as they worked to move forward with their lives. They felt very real to me, perfectly fleshed out, and I loved following them through their healing and in their finding true happiness and contentment within themselves and each other.
The aspect of this series that remains the most prominent factor for me in my enjoyment, though, is the Cornish small-town setting of Porthkennack itself. I continue to love this town and its people. Each author in this series has done an exceptional job of creating a strong sense of person and place. It makes me feel as if I’ve been magically transported to Cornwell – the setting is so distinctive, atmospheric, and even slightly haunting in nature, which I love.
This was my first ever Garrett Leigh read and I admit to being a bit apprehensive going in. I’ve spend years assuming the kind of angst Leigh’s known for would be too much for little old me to handle. But if this one experience is anything to go by, I now feel as if maybe she might be the bringer of exactly the kind of angst I love and crave in my romance reads – i.e. character focused stories that are heavy on the feels but light on the unnecessary/OTT drama. For me, this was perfect in that regard.
This multi-author written Porthkennack series has been a real highlight of my M/M reading over this past year or so, and this installment was no exception.
House of Cards is Garrett Leigh’s first addition to the series and, I daresay, one of the best offerings so far. I particularly appreciated the perfect pacing of the slow-burn romance which unfolded here between old friends Brix and Callum, whom by all accounts were two very complex and troubled men in their own rights, making them extra deserving of the happiness they eventually found together.
This was a poignant read for me, but one I relished every second of. I loved Brix and Callum, not only as individuals, but as friends, work colleagues, and definitely as eventual lovers. I liked watching them grow together and open up about the hard shit, which wasn’t an easy feat considering the depth of their past hurts and the continuing emotional battles they were each dealing with as they worked to move forward with their lives. They felt very real to me, perfectly fleshed out, and I loved following them through their healing and in their finding true happiness and contentment within themselves and each other.
The aspect of this series that remains the most prominent factor for me in my enjoyment, though, is the Cornish small-town setting of Porthkennack itself. I continue to love this town and its people. Each author in this series has done an exceptional job of creating a strong sense of person and place. It makes me feel as if I’ve been magically transported to Cornwell – the setting is so distinctive, atmospheric, and even slightly haunting in nature, which I love.
This was my first ever Garrett Leigh read and I admit to being a bit apprehensive going in. I’ve spend years assuming the kind of angst Leigh’s known for would be too much for little old me to handle. But if this one experience is anything to go by, I now feel as if maybe she might be the bringer of exactly the kind of angst I love and crave in my romance reads – i.e. character focused stories that are heavy on the feels but light on the unnecessary/OTT drama. For me, this was perfect in that regard.
August 22, 2022
Ok, Garrett Leigh is officially on my 'must have' list...
I wasn't going to tackle this series not for any reason in particular just because I have so many books...specifically series on the go right now that I thought I'd try and behave because seriously the books in this series have gotten some really good reviews but I was trying to behave myself and then I saw "House of Cards' by Garrett Leigh...what can I say, willpower...I has none.
Add to this the fact that Calum's last name is 'Hardy' and seriously how could I ignore a book with such an awesome name in it? Well obviously I couldn't.
'House of Cards' was one of those books that grabbed me from the start, as seems to be the case with me and Garrett Leigh stories. First off for me this was not a romance story...it was more...so, so much more. This was friendship, love, second chances, starting over all wrapped up in a beautiful gift of words.
When Calum Hardy's life takes a very rapid nose dive he gets on a train and heads out of London neither knowing nor caring where he's going. When Brix Lusmoore spots a familiar form at Truro station it doesn't really enter his mind not to stop. It's been years since he's seen Calum but he'd know him anywhere. Calum's hit rock bottom both in his life and in the bottle he's been consoling himself with on his train ride to who-know's-where so he's pretty sure he's imagining seeing the friend who disappeared from his life years earlier the friend he's missed every day since.
Brix loads Calum into his van and takes him home but for Brix and Calum this is only the beginning. Both men have a lot to sort out and work through before they can find their way home to each other.
I loved, loved, loved everything about this book...well, everything except Rob and Jordan they can go die in a fire both of them. They are the dickiest of dicks...yep, I hated them both.
Ok enough of that on to better things like Calum. He's so broken seriously, I didn't think a vat of crazy glue was going to put him back together but still there was also such a sweet and decent man there. Thank heavens Brix is better than crazy glue, but sadly he's got his own problems and issues and yet, he's got a strength of character that's amazing. He's a fixer, a nurturer. He takes Calum back into his life and he gives him the a home and the strength to he needs to start rebuilding his life and in doing this he finds the strength to begin fixing his own fragmented life.
As well as Calum and Brix there's a wonderful collection of characters in Porthkanneck who definitely keep life interesting, so needless to say I was more than a little happy to learn that book #6 in the Porthkannek series will be Kim's story. We met him here in 'House of Cards' and I have to admit the blurb for his book promises to be every bit as good as this one.
'House of Cards' is a story that will make you both smile and cry. It will leave you wishing that you could visit this quirky, fictional place where people can nurse their wounds and make themselves whole again and at the end of it all it'll leave you feeling like you went to Porthkanneck without leaving your favorite reading chair.
********************
A copy of 'House of Cards' was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't going to tackle this series not for any reason in particular just because I have so many books...specifically series on the go right now that I thought I'd try and behave because seriously the books in this series have gotten some really good reviews but I was trying to behave myself and then I saw "House of Cards' by Garrett Leigh...what can I say, willpower...I has none.
Add to this the fact that Calum's last name is 'Hardy' and seriously how could I ignore a book with such an awesome name in it? Well obviously I couldn't.
'House of Cards' was one of those books that grabbed me from the start, as seems to be the case with me and Garrett Leigh stories. First off for me this was not a romance story...it was more...so, so much more. This was friendship, love, second chances, starting over all wrapped up in a beautiful gift of words.
When Calum Hardy's life takes a very rapid nose dive he gets on a train and heads out of London neither knowing nor caring where he's going. When Brix Lusmoore spots a familiar form at Truro station it doesn't really enter his mind not to stop. It's been years since he's seen Calum but he'd know him anywhere. Calum's hit rock bottom both in his life and in the bottle he's been consoling himself with on his train ride to who-know's-where so he's pretty sure he's imagining seeing the friend who disappeared from his life years earlier the friend he's missed every day since.
Brix loads Calum into his van and takes him home but for Brix and Calum this is only the beginning. Both men have a lot to sort out and work through before they can find their way home to each other.
I loved, loved, loved everything about this book...well, everything except Rob and Jordan they can go die in a fire both of them. They are the dickiest of dicks...yep, I hated them both.
Ok enough of that on to better things like Calum. He's so broken seriously, I didn't think a vat of crazy glue was going to put him back together but still there was also such a sweet and decent man there. Thank heavens Brix is better than crazy glue, but sadly he's got his own problems and issues and yet, he's got a strength of character that's amazing. He's a fixer, a nurturer. He takes Calum back into his life and he gives him the a home and the strength to he needs to start rebuilding his life and in doing this he finds the strength to begin fixing his own fragmented life.
As well as Calum and Brix there's a wonderful collection of characters in Porthkanneck who definitely keep life interesting, so needless to say I was more than a little happy to learn that book #6 in the Porthkannek series will be Kim's story. We met him here in 'House of Cards' and I have to admit the blurb for his book promises to be every bit as good as this one.
'House of Cards' is a story that will make you both smile and cry. It will leave you wishing that you could visit this quirky, fictional place where people can nurse their wounds and make themselves whole again and at the end of it all it'll leave you feeling like you went to Porthkanneck without leaving your favorite reading chair.
********************
A copy of 'House of Cards' was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2017
*4.25 stars*
The thing with Garrett Leigh's stories is that despite the melancholic tone or the heavy topics, they always feel like home. I might have had a shitty day, but reading a Garret Leigh book is warmth and comfort for me.
Ιn true Garrett Leigh fashion, House of Cards is angsty but melodrama-free. Ιt addresses hard but everyday issues, such as abuse, with the respect they deserve. It's steady paced, but doesn't lack tension. And Porthkennack provides an excellent background.
Brix collects strays. Stray chicken that are destined for slaughter, stray people who lost their way. I got the feeling, though, that Brix kept saving others because that's the only thing that was standing between him and the edge. Until Calum.
Calum comes with buggage. After losing everything overnight, he'll end up jobless and homeless. But in Porthkennack, he'll find Brix and a new home. From the start it was obvious that Callum is not just another stray. Actually, out of the two of them, Brix is the one who needs saving the most.
I loved that there was history between the MCs and that they have been in each other's past as friends. But Brix and Callum were always meant to be a couple, despite bad timing and life's shitty plans for them. The steam is pretty low, but given the circumstances and Brix's hung ups, it's understandable. There is a lot of UST and tons of feels, though!
There is always some level of diversity in Leigh's's books. In House of Cards, you get great representation of bi and trans folks, and a very positive portrayal of open relationships. I honestly loved all secondary characters in this book: the gang of misfits in the tattoo shop (especially Lee), even Brix's quirky family. Except Rob and Jackson. They can both go straight to hell and burn for all I care.
I was hesitant before I picked this book up. I shouldn't have. There hasn't been a book by this author, I haven't loved. Also, there's a stray, bald chicken named Bongo. Nuff said.
Definitely recommended!
The thing with Garrett Leigh's stories is that despite the melancholic tone or the heavy topics, they always feel like home. I might have had a shitty day, but reading a Garret Leigh book is warmth and comfort for me.
Ιn true Garrett Leigh fashion, House of Cards is angsty but melodrama-free. Ιt addresses hard but everyday issues, such as abuse, with the respect they deserve. It's steady paced, but doesn't lack tension. And Porthkennack provides an excellent background.
Brix collects strays. Stray chicken that are destined for slaughter, stray people who lost their way. I got the feeling, though, that Brix kept saving others because that's the only thing that was standing between him and the edge. Until Calum.
Calum comes with buggage. After losing everything overnight, he'll end up jobless and homeless. But in Porthkennack, he'll find Brix and a new home. From the start it was obvious that Callum is not just another stray. Actually, out of the two of them, Brix is the one who needs saving the most.
I loved that there was history between the MCs and that they have been in each other's past as friends. But Brix and Callum were always meant to be a couple, despite bad timing and life's shitty plans for them. The steam is pretty low, but given the circumstances and Brix's hung ups, it's understandable. There is a lot of UST and tons of feels, though!
There is always some level of diversity in Leigh's's books. In House of Cards, you get great representation of bi and trans folks, and a very positive portrayal of open relationships. I honestly loved all secondary characters in this book: the gang of misfits in the tattoo shop (especially Lee), even Brix's quirky family. Except Rob and Jackson. They can both go straight to hell and burn for all I care.
I was hesitant before I picked this book up. I shouldn't have. There hasn't been a book by this author, I haven't loved. Also, there's a stray, bald chicken named Bongo. Nuff said.
Definitely recommended!
July 15, 2017
I've read several of Garrett Leigh's books and enjoyed all of them.
I've tried to write this review several times. I've deleted the words each time. For some reason it's not really coming together for me. So, I'm going to keep it short and simple.
House of Cards has a somber air to it. Both characters struggling to rebuild lives that fell apart for them. Brix and Calum knew each other in London years ago. Happenstance brings them back together in Cornwall to a completely different kind of life. A healing kind. I enjoyed seeing them help each other overcome their past and forge a new future.
I would have really liked to see more of the toxic relationship that Calum escaped from. I also desperately wanted to see more of Brix and Jordan's trials. All of the side characters were extremely colorful. I enjoyed them but didn't quite connect with them. The lifestyle in this corner of Cornwall felt very foreign to me so I was never able to picture myself there. Combine that feeling with the unique slang and accents in the story that I barely understood and I felt like an observer the whole time.
But like other Leigh stories, I was still sucked in and invested in the characters. Brix's situation was obvious to me from early on. I found myself hoping these young men would find their way to a HEA. While they do have a solid HFN, I thought it read like the first book in a series. There were many unfinished threads and unanswered questions.
Review ARC graciously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
I've tried to write this review several times. I've deleted the words each time. For some reason it's not really coming together for me. So, I'm going to keep it short and simple.
House of Cards has a somber air to it. Both characters struggling to rebuild lives that fell apart for them. Brix and Calum knew each other in London years ago. Happenstance brings them back together in Cornwall to a completely different kind of life. A healing kind. I enjoyed seeing them help each other overcome their past and forge a new future.
I would have really liked to see more of the toxic relationship that Calum escaped from. I also desperately wanted to see more of Brix and Jordan's trials. All of the side characters were extremely colorful. I enjoyed them but didn't quite connect with them. The lifestyle in this corner of Cornwall felt very foreign to me so I was never able to picture myself there. Combine that feeling with the unique slang and accents in the story that I barely understood and I felt like an observer the whole time.
But like other Leigh stories, I was still sucked in and invested in the characters. Brix's situation was obvious to me from early on. I found myself hoping these young men would find their way to a HEA. While they do have a solid HFN, I thought it read like the first book in a series. There were many unfinished threads and unanswered questions.
Review ARC graciously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
January 10, 2025
I love me a good old slow burn, friends to lovers story, and I definitely got that here. House of Cards isn't as angsty as some of Leigh's other books but that's okay for this one, the issues the lads are dealing with are heavy enough, especially Brix.
Loved the main characters, loved the setting, the chooks and the side characters too but!! Me being the vindictive cow that I am, I wanted Rob and Jordan to PAY!! That's just me though, I really do need my pound of flesh 😳
Loved the main characters, loved the setting, the chooks and the side characters too but!! Me being the vindictive cow that I am, I wanted Rob and Jordan to PAY!! That's just me though, I really do need my pound of flesh 😳
June 15, 2017
4.5 Stars
House of Cards, like the other books in this series, takes place in a village called Porthkennack, in Cornwall. While the setting is the same town, all of the novels work perfectly as stand alone. I've grown to really like this charming seaside town and it's eclectic inhabitants.
Garrett Leigh writes broken characters like no one else. And the way that her characters always help each other heal (without succumbing to magic-dick syndrome) just does me right. I love her characters, their chemistry and the angst! Delicious, delicious angst -- it is a very important food group, after all.
And I love that her characters don't feel overdone. They're real people with real problems. Maybe not always every day problems, but I've never had trouble identifying with the characters she's created. Plus, when I finish one of her books, I always end up thinking about it for some time -- and at random times, too. They stay with me, you know? And, to me, that is a mark of an excellent book.
Calum Hardy and Brix Lusmoore are both a bit broken by life and circumstance, and I loved how they complimented and helped each other in the story. Calum is fresh out of an abusive relationship where he was left with nothing, including self-worth and Brix, well, he was harder to figure, because Brix seems so put together. And, for the most part he is. Brix carries the weight of his secret alone and he feels that this is way it should be.
But I've got to tell you, if it weren't for Calum reminding Brix of what it's like to really feel alive, I don't know how long Brix would have bothered to try. He spends his time helping others, but he never ever lets anyone in to help him, and he needs it most of all.
Finding Calum on a bench at the train station in an out of the way town near Porthkennack was not something Brix expected. Not that Calum ever expected to see Brix again, either. It was pure happenstance that brought them together. With neither of them knowing that finding each other was exactly what they needed.
Brix collects strays. He's a nurturer and rescuer. He keeps chickens, that are rescues, from going to the slaughterhouse and he takes in people, too, that need a safe place to be. He runs a tattoo shop in town where the other artists definitely have stories and pasts, some of whom I'd dearly love to read more about. Calum fits right in and no one even looks sideways at him. I appreciated that. Calum needed that safe space where he could just be.
Brix may have rescued Calum, but Calum rescued him right back and Brix didn't even realize he needed it. They were friends, first and foremost and though Brix kept some things close to his chest, Calum was steadfast in his friendship making sure that Brix knew he didn't have to go it alone anymore. And I liked how organically their relationship developed. They don't jump right into bed - for reasons that I am not going to spoil - and their bond just grew stronger for it.
The writing is strong, as I've come to expect with this author, too. In fact, the only thing I would have liked more would have been to get to know Calum more. What we do learn about him I loved, but I wanted more. Where he came from. How he got involved with that abusive SOB, etc. But I think House of Cards is more about Brix and him not just coming to terms with his circumstances, but learning that he still deserves to live and love. And he's not magically 100% ok by the end of the story, but he makes so much progress and I have no doubt he will get where he needs to be. And Calum will be right there beside him.
The steam level is pretty light and Garrett Leigh keeps us waiting a good long time. Slow burn is the name of this game. And I loved it. When Brix and Calum do end up in bed, their sexual tension is palpable. The story ends on a strong HFN and I'm pretty confident that both Brix and Calum are solid.
I truly enjoyed House of Cards and would definitely recommend it.
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ARC of House of Cards was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
House of Cards, like the other books in this series, takes place in a village called Porthkennack, in Cornwall. While the setting is the same town, all of the novels work perfectly as stand alone. I've grown to really like this charming seaside town and it's eclectic inhabitants.
Garrett Leigh writes broken characters like no one else. And the way that her characters always help each other heal (without succumbing to magic-dick syndrome) just does me right. I love her characters, their chemistry and the angst! Delicious, delicious angst -- it is a very important food group, after all.
And I love that her characters don't feel overdone. They're real people with real problems. Maybe not always every day problems, but I've never had trouble identifying with the characters she's created. Plus, when I finish one of her books, I always end up thinking about it for some time -- and at random times, too. They stay with me, you know? And, to me, that is a mark of an excellent book.
Calum Hardy and Brix Lusmoore are both a bit broken by life and circumstance, and I loved how they complimented and helped each other in the story. Calum is fresh out of an abusive relationship where he was left with nothing, including self-worth and Brix, well, he was harder to figure, because Brix seems so put together. And, for the most part he is. Brix carries the weight of his secret alone and he feels that this is way it should be.
But I've got to tell you, if it weren't for Calum reminding Brix of what it's like to really feel alive, I don't know how long Brix would have bothered to try. He spends his time helping others, but he never ever lets anyone in to help him, and he needs it most of all.
Finding Calum on a bench at the train station in an out of the way town near Porthkennack was not something Brix expected. Not that Calum ever expected to see Brix again, either. It was pure happenstance that brought them together. With neither of them knowing that finding each other was exactly what they needed.
Brix collects strays. He's a nurturer and rescuer. He keeps chickens, that are rescues, from going to the slaughterhouse and he takes in people, too, that need a safe place to be. He runs a tattoo shop in town where the other artists definitely have stories and pasts, some of whom I'd dearly love to read more about. Calum fits right in and no one even looks sideways at him. I appreciated that. Calum needed that safe space where he could just be.
Brix may have rescued Calum, but Calum rescued him right back and Brix didn't even realize he needed it. They were friends, first and foremost and though Brix kept some things close to his chest, Calum was steadfast in his friendship making sure that Brix knew he didn't have to go it alone anymore. And I liked how organically their relationship developed. They don't jump right into bed - for reasons that I am not going to spoil - and their bond just grew stronger for it.
The writing is strong, as I've come to expect with this author, too. In fact, the only thing I would have liked more would have been to get to know Calum more. What we do learn about him I loved, but I wanted more. Where he came from. How he got involved with that abusive SOB, etc. But I think House of Cards is more about Brix and him not just coming to terms with his circumstances, but learning that he still deserves to live and love. And he's not magically 100% ok by the end of the story, but he makes so much progress and I have no doubt he will get where he needs to be. And Calum will be right there beside him.
The steam level is pretty light and Garrett Leigh keeps us waiting a good long time. Slow burn is the name of this game. And I loved it. When Brix and Calum do end up in bed, their sexual tension is palpable. The story ends on a strong HFN and I'm pretty confident that both Brix and Calum are solid.
I truly enjoyed House of Cards and would definitely recommend it.
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ARC of House of Cards was generously provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 6, 2017DNF at 40%. I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'm a little burnt out on tattoo artist books.
July 20, 2017
I didn’t like this. I’m not sure what I expected of this, but there were several things that just weren’t for me.
Calum walks in his boyfriend having sex with some other guy one day. So that’s when Calum has had enough and simply walks out. Since everything is in his ex’s name he is left with nothing. But Calum doesn’t care. He gets on a train and only gets off it when he’s reached the end.
And that’s where Brix finds him sitting on a bench. Calum ended up in Porthkennack without realizing that’s where Brix lives now. Calum and Brix haven’t seen each other in years, but they used to be close friends.
Brix takes Calum home and offers him a place to stay. Calum can even join his tattoo shop if he wants to. So that’s how Calum ends up having a roommate and a job. But he still has a hard time opening up to Brix about his past and what happened with his ex..
I haven’t read the other books in this series, so I had no idea how very English this was going to be. I was completely lost at times with words as moggies, emmet, and other really English words interspersed here and there.
The hurt/comfort in this had so much potential, but for some reason I never felt the comfort parts. I think it was because there was a lot going on with the characters. We had Calum and his abusive ex, his money problems, his closed tattoo shop, and then we had Brix and his weird relationship with his family, and of course his health problems. I felt as if these guys were both in need of someone strong to help them through, but not necessarily each other.
And the sudden revelation of Brix felt a bit strange to me. I’m never a real fan if this kind of thing in my books, so that might have had something to do with it.
I also wanted
This just wasn’t my type of book.
Calum walks in his boyfriend having sex with some other guy one day. So that’s when Calum has had enough and simply walks out. Since everything is in his ex’s name he is left with nothing. But Calum doesn’t care. He gets on a train and only gets off it when he’s reached the end.
And that’s where Brix finds him sitting on a bench. Calum ended up in Porthkennack without realizing that’s where Brix lives now. Calum and Brix haven’t seen each other in years, but they used to be close friends.
Brix takes Calum home and offers him a place to stay. Calum can even join his tattoo shop if he wants to. So that’s how Calum ends up having a roommate and a job. But he still has a hard time opening up to Brix about his past and what happened with his ex..
I haven’t read the other books in this series, so I had no idea how very English this was going to be. I was completely lost at times with words as moggies, emmet, and other really English words interspersed here and there.
The hurt/comfort in this had so much potential, but for some reason I never felt the comfort parts. I think it was because there was a lot going on with the characters. We had Calum and his abusive ex, his money problems, his closed tattoo shop, and then we had Brix and his weird relationship with his family, and of course his health problems. I felt as if these guys were both in need of someone strong to help them through, but not necessarily each other.
And the sudden revelation of Brix felt a bit strange to me. I’m never a real fan if this kind of thing in my books, so that might have had something to do with it.
I also wanted
This just wasn’t my type of book.
July 16, 2017
**Gratuitous chicken pictures included**
Can I just tell you how happy I am that this author wrote a book that opened the door for pictures of my chickens? I know people are used to dog pics but no one is ever all that interested in pics of my girls. (& you may not be now but......that's not going to stop me). Why chickens you ask? Well, because one of the MC's rescues chickens. (I was in love with him from the first minute he was on page).
So....the book. The book was really good. Both of the main characters are going through some struggles and when they meet up, they desperately need someone to rely on. Calum has left London and an abusive relationship and fate has caused him to cross paths with an old friend, Brix. The two men used to be close but life happened and they haven't seen each other in years. Brix runs a tattoo studio and takes in strays, both human and poultry. Brix is happy for the most part but he's lonely and he has some issues of his own that he keeps a secret. He invites Calum to stay while he gets back on his feet and the two men tentatively renew their friendship.
This had the classic Garrett Leigh feel to it. There's something almost melancholy in the way she writes. You could feel the foggy, cold ambiance of the Cornish seaside. This is a really slow burn story and they're not intimate until 75% or so (maybe even later). It worked really well though as a plot device and their steps from friendship to intimacy felt very realistic.
Over the course of the story the two men find peace in their personal lives and they build a friendship, a love, a business and you guessed it, a chicken rescue. I thought this story was very well done and I enjoyed it a lot. It's one of my favorites from this author.
Now....chickens. In the book one of the things that helps Calum heal is spending time out with the chickens & holding and petting his favorite. This is a real thing. We use them as therapy pets with the elderly because they're easy to hold & pet and if they're raised as pets they are very mellow & sweet. They're also safe to be around people who have dog & cat allergies. Chicken breeds are much like dog breeds. Different ones have different temperaments. Some of mine were rescued as adults & others we've had since babies. The adults live outside but the babies come in at night & there is a great deal of baby snuggling done by my kids before they go in their box for the night. Unfortunately the adults are so tame they are constantly trying to sneak in the house. (One knows how to use the dog door.) They're not allowed in (for obvious reasons) but periodically I'll walk in and find one sitting on a dining room chair, the couch & once even on dishes I was loading in the dishwasher. So.......that's the crazy that happens at my house and why these MC's have a special place in my heart. Pictures under spoiler tag so they don't take up a lot of space.
**ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Can I just tell you how happy I am that this author wrote a book that opened the door for pictures of my chickens? I know people are used to dog pics but no one is ever all that interested in pics of my girls. (& you may not be now but......that's not going to stop me). Why chickens you ask? Well, because one of the MC's rescues chickens. (I was in love with him from the first minute he was on page).
So....the book. The book was really good. Both of the main characters are going through some struggles and when they meet up, they desperately need someone to rely on. Calum has left London and an abusive relationship and fate has caused him to cross paths with an old friend, Brix. The two men used to be close but life happened and they haven't seen each other in years. Brix runs a tattoo studio and takes in strays, both human and poultry. Brix is happy for the most part but he's lonely and he has some issues of his own that he keeps a secret. He invites Calum to stay while he gets back on his feet and the two men tentatively renew their friendship.
This had the classic Garrett Leigh feel to it. There's something almost melancholy in the way she writes. You could feel the foggy, cold ambiance of the Cornish seaside. This is a really slow burn story and they're not intimate until 75% or so (maybe even later). It worked really well though as a plot device and their steps from friendship to intimacy felt very realistic.
Over the course of the story the two men find peace in their personal lives and they build a friendship, a love, a business and you guessed it, a chicken rescue. I thought this story was very well done and I enjoyed it a lot. It's one of my favorites from this author.
Now....chickens. In the book one of the things that helps Calum heal is spending time out with the chickens & holding and petting his favorite. This is a real thing. We use them as therapy pets with the elderly because they're easy to hold & pet and if they're raised as pets they are very mellow & sweet. They're also safe to be around people who have dog & cat allergies. Chicken breeds are much like dog breeds. Different ones have different temperaments. Some of mine were rescued as adults & others we've had since babies. The adults live outside but the babies come in at night & there is a great deal of baby snuggling done by my kids before they go in their box for the night. Unfortunately the adults are so tame they are constantly trying to sneak in the house. (One knows how to use the dog door.) They're not allowed in (for obvious reasons) but periodically I'll walk in and find one sitting on a dining room chair, the couch & once even on dishes I was loading in the dishwasher. So.......that's the crazy that happens at my house and why these MC's have a special place in my heart. Pictures under spoiler tag so they don't take up a lot of space.
**ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
December 30, 2019
Although House of Cards is the fourth book in Riptide Publishing's Porthkennack series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Garrett Leigh writes eloquently of the Cornish setting of House of Cards with its bays, inlets and caverns perfectly suited to smugglers and wreckers who lured ships onto the rocks in order to loot their cargos.
While some of Brix's family still continue the Cornish tradition of freeing goods from their former owners, Brix himself rescues poor bald chickens destined for the slaughterhouse, and gathers people like Lee who is trans, Jory, and Kim and Lena with their open relationship and "all that free love and stuff" as Lee says. And when Brix happens upon Calum dejectedly sitting on a bench outside the Truro train station, he at first thinks he's seeing things.
A few years back in London, Brix was Calum's friend / mentor in the tattoo arts, although to Calum Brix was more of a "fuckin' beautiful legend" who brought out Calum's latent bisexuality. There was a sexual energy to their friendship, a certain "rightness" that would have eventually been explored, but Brix abruptly left London and Calum hooked up with his horrid ex Rob and in fleeing Rob's stifling influence, Calum is left homeless as well as jobless.
As always, I marvel at how Garrett Leigh manages to craft stories of grace, acceptance, love, forgiveness and compassion that, in the hands of other authors, might have become an angst-fest of epic proportions. Leigh doesn't really expand on Calum's abusive relationship with Rob but even the hints of what it was like are equal parts sad and terrifying. But as Calum comes out the other side of that dysfunctional relationship, Calum realizes:
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Garrett Leigh writes eloquently of the Cornish setting of House of Cards with its bays, inlets and caverns perfectly suited to smugglers and wreckers who lured ships onto the rocks in order to loot their cargos.
While some of Brix's family still continue the Cornish tradition of freeing goods from their former owners, Brix himself rescues poor bald chickens destined for the slaughterhouse, and gathers people like Lee who is trans, Jory, and Kim and Lena with their open relationship and "all that free love and stuff" as Lee says. And when Brix happens upon Calum dejectedly sitting on a bench outside the Truro train station, he at first thinks he's seeing things.
A few years back in London, Brix was Calum's friend / mentor in the tattoo arts, although to Calum Brix was more of a "fuckin' beautiful legend" who brought out Calum's latent bisexuality. There was a sexual energy to their friendship, a certain "rightness" that would have eventually been explored, but Brix abruptly left London and Calum hooked up with his horrid ex Rob and in fleeing Rob's stifling influence, Calum is left homeless as well as jobless.
As always, I marvel at how Garrett Leigh manages to craft stories of grace, acceptance, love, forgiveness and compassion that, in the hands of other authors, might have become an angst-fest of epic proportions. Leigh doesn't really expand on Calum's abusive relationship with Rob but even the hints of what it was like are equal parts sad and terrifying. But as Calum comes out the other side of that dysfunctional relationship, Calum realizes:
He’d run blindly into Brix’s life with his own bag of bullshit, but the longer he spent with Brix, the more he realised the closest thing to a best friend he’d ever had was drowning under the weight of something Calum couldn’t see. And perhaps he always had been.What transpires between Brix and Calum is slow and nurturing and perfect because this isn't one of those sex-on-every-surface stories. I think this might be the best book in the Porthkennack series so far, and I'm giving House of Cards a solid 4 stars.
I received an ARC from Riptide Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Stop by my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
September 2, 2025
It was one of my favourite Garrett Leigh stories in the first incarnation, and this revised version is just as gut-punchingly brutal with the biggest pay-off in a HEA.
There's very few things I love more than when Garrett writes about people who feel so real you go through their emotions with them.
The opening chapter still makes me rage so hard against Cal's so-called partner. I want to introduce him to a bit of two-by-four with a rusty nail in it.
When his actions set Cal reeling though, it unwittingly puts him back into the orbit of his former tattoo artist colleague Brix Lusmoore, a wild and deep soul from Porth Ewan, a tiny place clinging to the Cornish sea coast.
And Brix, how much do I love Brix...
Enough to want to take all his demons and bury them deep inside the caves his family uses to smuggle their dodgy DVDs and other tax-free hauls.
The narrative hasn't changed much from the original one which made up part of the Porth Kennack series from Riptide, but it does now solidify the link with the Rebel Kings series, which has referenced back to these characters.
We get a guest appearance from Rubi Matheson himself, plus an interesting link for Saint Malone and one of Brix's lost sheep tattoo artists, which made me smile a lot.
This remains one of my favourites because of the way both men fight their personal battles to reach the equilibrium they need to open up to each other.
It's slow burn for the greatest of reasons, but there's no love or emotions lost because of it. When Brix finally drops his walls, the scene is cathartic and joyous all at once.
It was a pleasure to journey back to this far-flung Cornish port and catch up with the natives and I'm eagerly waiting now to see what changes Kim & Jas' story has had when Junkyard Heart re-releases.
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
There's very few things I love more than when Garrett writes about people who feel so real you go through their emotions with them.
The opening chapter still makes me rage so hard against Cal's so-called partner. I want to introduce him to a bit of two-by-four with a rusty nail in it.
When his actions set Cal reeling though, it unwittingly puts him back into the orbit of his former tattoo artist colleague Brix Lusmoore, a wild and deep soul from Porth Ewan, a tiny place clinging to the Cornish sea coast.
And Brix, how much do I love Brix...
Enough to want to take all his demons and bury them deep inside the caves his family uses to smuggle their dodgy DVDs and other tax-free hauls.
The narrative hasn't changed much from the original one which made up part of the Porth Kennack series from Riptide, but it does now solidify the link with the Rebel Kings series, which has referenced back to these characters.
We get a guest appearance from Rubi Matheson himself, plus an interesting link for Saint Malone and one of Brix's lost sheep tattoo artists, which made me smile a lot.
This remains one of my favourites because of the way both men fight their personal battles to reach the equilibrium they need to open up to each other.
It's slow burn for the greatest of reasons, but there's no love or emotions lost because of it. When Brix finally drops his walls, the scene is cathartic and joyous all at once.
It was a pleasure to journey back to this far-flung Cornish port and catch up with the natives and I'm eagerly waiting now to see what changes Kim & Jas' story has had when Junkyard Heart re-releases.
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR Tours, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2019
Genre: MM Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 4 of 11 from the Porthkennack Series
POV: Third Person
Rating:
Calum Hardy’s life was upended by a single painful moment. With everything to lose, he made a decision to leave it all behind and ended up in the scenic town of Porthkennack, Cornwall. What he never expected was to find Brix Lusmoore, an old friend that brought back the past that both of them was not ready to face.
Calum and Brix were two broken souls with gentle but closed hearts. I like how they were good for each other but there were times I wish they stand up for themselves when/where it mattered. I liked their friendships with the supporting characters which were interesting.
I really enjoyed the ambiance of the book. However, the story was too slow and too linear to grab my attention. It touched a heavy subject but it felt just on the surface. There were issues brought up that were not fully addressed or resolved too easily. I would have preferred it with more intensity.
House of Cards is a story of love and healing. It would appeal to readers who enjoy slow burn romance.
🔹➕🔹 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🔹➕🔹
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone Book 4 of 11 from the Porthkennack Series
POV: Third Person
Rating:
Calum Hardy’s life was upended by a single painful moment. With everything to lose, he made a decision to leave it all behind and ended up in the scenic town of Porthkennack, Cornwall. What he never expected was to find Brix Lusmoore, an old friend that brought back the past that both of them was not ready to face.
Calum and Brix were two broken souls with gentle but closed hearts. I like how they were good for each other but there were times I wish they stand up for themselves when/where it mattered. I liked their friendships with the supporting characters which were interesting.
He’d run blindly into Brix’s life with his own bag of bullshit, but the longer he spent with Brix, the more he realised the closest thing to a best friend he’d ever had was drowning under the weight of something Calum couldn’t see.
I really enjoyed the ambiance of the book. However, the story was too slow and too linear to grab my attention. It touched a heavy subject but it felt just on the surface. There were issues brought up that were not fully addressed or resolved too easily. I would have preferred it with more intensity.
There was no doubt in his mind that Calum was lost, but who wasn’t?
House of Cards is a story of love and healing. It would appeal to readers who enjoy slow burn romance.
🔹➕🔹 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🔹➕🔹
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
December 11, 2017
Comencé la serie Porthkennack sobre personajes que viven en una población de Cornualles hace meses, pero fue un DNF. El lenguaje, propio de la zona, me dificultaba mucho la lectura y por tanto el que la disfrutara. Así que me metí de lleno en House of Cards con muchas dudas y temiendo un abandono. Bah, debería haber leído el libro mucho antes, no tenía nada que temer. Si bien el lenguaje está lleno de vocabulario y expresiones de la zona, en cuanto te acostumbras es fácil entender todo, no te saca de la historia.
Y la historia huele a Garrett Leigh desde la primera línea. Está ese ambiente nostálgico, a veces triste, esos personajes castigados por la vida, buenos secundarios, dosis de realidad, ese angst, mucho Garrett. Tanto Brix como Calum se ganan el corazoncito lector desde el primer momento, quieres que sean felices, por ser buenas personas, porque se lo merecen. Pero ellos no son los únicos protagonistas, lo es también Porthkennack y su mar, sus montañas, viento, habitantes y pubs.
Mi único pero es el que siempre encuentro en los libros de Garrett, tiene muy buenos diálogos, pero no consigue, en mi opinión, construir la tensión necesaria alrededor de esos diálogos que provoquen que los puedas vivir con la suficiente emoción, a veces quedan muy asépticos. Un ejemplo: las declaraciones de amor, siempre me pasa con esta autora, los primeros I love you vienen de pronto y con la misma ilusión que si dijeran: me encanta el jamón ibérico.
Pero, en general, un libro muy recomendable.
Y la historia huele a Garrett Leigh desde la primera línea. Está ese ambiente nostálgico, a veces triste, esos personajes castigados por la vida, buenos secundarios, dosis de realidad, ese angst, mucho Garrett. Tanto Brix como Calum se ganan el corazoncito lector desde el primer momento, quieres que sean felices, por ser buenas personas, porque se lo merecen. Pero ellos no son los únicos protagonistas, lo es también Porthkennack y su mar, sus montañas, viento, habitantes y pubs.
Mi único pero es el que siempre encuentro en los libros de Garrett, tiene muy buenos diálogos, pero no consigue, en mi opinión, construir la tensión necesaria alrededor de esos diálogos que provoquen que los puedas vivir con la suficiente emoción, a veces quedan muy asépticos. Un ejemplo: las declaraciones de amor, siempre me pasa con esta autora, los primeros I love you vienen de pronto y con la misma ilusión que si dijeran: me encanta el jamón ibérico.
Pero, en general, un libro muy recomendable.
July 28, 2019
This is the first time I'm rating a GL book this low. Not sure what happened, because there were so many elements here that I usually like in an m/m romance.
I didn't connect to the characters. I didn't feel their connection. For the most part their conversations were about nothing important. It felt like they were just cohabitating and it wasn't until more than half way through the book that they finally started opening up to each other.
I get why Brix was the way he was, but I didn't get Calum. There was such a melancholy to his character. Also, I didn't understand the type of relationship he had with his ex and the way he "handled“ the betrayal made no sense to me.
I didn't care about the side characters, either. It felt like they were just there, not adding much to the story.
I didn't connect to the characters. I didn't feel their connection. For the most part their conversations were about nothing important. It felt like they were just cohabitating and it wasn't until more than half way through the book that they finally started opening up to each other.
I get why Brix was the way he was, but I didn't get Calum. There was such a melancholy to his character. Also, I didn't understand the type of relationship he had with his ex and the way he "handled“ the betrayal made no sense to me.
I didn't care about the side characters, either. It felt like they were just there, not adding much to the story.
May 4, 2019
3.75 Stars
Calum Hardy has fallen into a place where his self-confidence is lacking due to staying in an abusive relationship. Standing up for himself, Calum loses his home, job and reputation. Forced to leave London, Calum boards a train to Cornwall where his life changes upon being reunited with his old friend.
Brix Lusmoore is a man who has learned to surround himself with those he can trust and to accept his given hand. Finding happiness with his rescued chickens and by helping others, Brix is an interesting soul and is in a unique position to offer Calum the opportunities he desperately needs. As they rekindle their friendship, old feelings rise to the surface.
As this character driven plot unfolds, the connection between Calum and Brix is felt due to their longstanding friendship and mutual respect. With Brix’s nurturing tendencies, Calum begins to open to the possibility of what he feels. This story is certainly a slow burn showing how two characters have endured, but can find what they’ve been seeking.
Throughout, I liked Calum and Brix and felt for their circumstances. It was also easy to get a sense of the Cornwall community which added to the atmosphere of the plot. While there are difficult themes explored, there were times when I wanted the plot to delve into more of the emotional aspects.
House of Cards is a story about new beginnings, acceptance and a second chance relationship. This book will appeal to those looking for a MM romance with heart.
This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Calum Hardy has fallen into a place where his self-confidence is lacking due to staying in an abusive relationship. Standing up for himself, Calum loses his home, job and reputation. Forced to leave London, Calum boards a train to Cornwall where his life changes upon being reunited with his old friend.
“…I’ve just . . . lost myself, you know? And I don’t know how to get it back.”
Brix Lusmoore is a man who has learned to surround himself with those he can trust and to accept his given hand. Finding happiness with his rescued chickens and by helping others, Brix is an interesting soul and is in a unique position to offer Calum the opportunities he desperately needs. As they rekindle their friendship, old feelings rise to the surface.
“I don’t need you to fix things. It’s enough that you’re here.”
As this character driven plot unfolds, the connection between Calum and Brix is felt due to their longstanding friendship and mutual respect. With Brix’s nurturing tendencies, Calum begins to open to the possibility of what he feels. This story is certainly a slow burn showing how two characters have endured, but can find what they’ve been seeking.
Throughout, I liked Calum and Brix and felt for their circumstances. It was also easy to get a sense of the Cornwall community which added to the atmosphere of the plot. While there are difficult themes explored, there were times when I wanted the plot to delve into more of the emotional aspects.
House of Cards is a story about new beginnings, acceptance and a second chance relationship. This book will appeal to those looking for a MM romance with heart.
This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
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July 10, 2017DNF at 40%
It is my own fault. I shouldn't have asked for an ARC, because after my last book by the author I swore to myself not to read anything by Garrett Leigh again. But I fell into the trap of nice reviews and...my own sloppiness.
Reading House of Cards simultaneously with Elena Ferrante's L'amica geniale Series (an audio version) was not a good idea and not to the advantage of this book, but I like to combine audio books and eBooks in different genres with each other. Until now it worked perfectly. But here the difference is simply galactic. Sorry.
I don't like the story, I don't care about the characters, I dislike the writing. I don't like the vulgarity of her language. Too many f*ck words, and THAT can your read in a nice conversation on one single page:
a prize wanker
a cunt
a lecherous prick
wankers
a slut
lucky fucker
an arsehole
It pains. The dialogues are painful to read. The characters are painful to follow. No, not because it is a heartbreaking, it is jut bad. It is just not my kind of book.
But the author is popular among the MM readers, and so it looks like her works make many people happy, unfortunately I'm not among them. I was bored to death.
***Copy provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
January 31, 2018
House of Cards was written by Garrett Leigh as her contribution to the Porthkennack universe series published by Riptide Publishing. This is the first of the series I’ve read, and it can be read as a standalone, but after looking at the previous books in the collection I’d definitely like to read them all.
Centered around the seaside Cornish town of Porthkennack, with its rugged natural beauty and host of wacky characters, House of Cards is a friends to lovers story with several intense issues at its heart. Running from an abusive relationship, Calum Hardy stumbles into his long lost friend Brix Lusmoore at a train station in Cornwall.
The friends have lost touch but their reunion turns out to be perfect timing for both men.
The abuse Calum has suffered from his recent ex has wreaked total havoc on his self esteem. Garrett Leigh paints a picture of a once confident, smiling man who is all but unrecognizable to Brix when they meet up again after four years.
After reconnecting with his friend, and living and working in Porthkennack, Calum is able to get healthy again and find some joy in life.
Brix, on the other hand, has returned to his boyhood home to escape a deeper, more life altering problem. Including any details in this review would spoil the skillful way Leigh has crafted the reveal, but it is safe to tell you that Calum’s stalwart support is just what Brix needs.
I’m typically not a huge fan of the friends to lovers trope, but this story really worked for me.
Talk about a slow burn...well this one’s pretty slow, but it is exactly what these characters need to be able to come to terms with their issues.
It also makes these guys’ past history believable. Their attraction to each other is undeniable, but their friendship is the foundation.
House of Cards isn’t your typical Garrett Leigh novel, but it won me over with its steady pace, creative characters, and interesting story line. There’s enough going on in this novel that I didn’t miss the high angst and intensity of her usual writing. This book is a soothing comfort read which I highly recommend.
Centered around the seaside Cornish town of Porthkennack, with its rugged natural beauty and host of wacky characters, House of Cards is a friends to lovers story with several intense issues at its heart. Running from an abusive relationship, Calum Hardy stumbles into his long lost friend Brix Lusmoore at a train station in Cornwall.
The friends have lost touch but their reunion turns out to be perfect timing for both men.
The abuse Calum has suffered from his recent ex has wreaked total havoc on his self esteem. Garrett Leigh paints a picture of a once confident, smiling man who is all but unrecognizable to Brix when they meet up again after four years.
After reconnecting with his friend, and living and working in Porthkennack, Calum is able to get healthy again and find some joy in life.
Brix, on the other hand, has returned to his boyhood home to escape a deeper, more life altering problem. Including any details in this review would spoil the skillful way Leigh has crafted the reveal, but it is safe to tell you that Calum’s stalwart support is just what Brix needs.
I’m typically not a huge fan of the friends to lovers trope, but this story really worked for me.
Talk about a slow burn...well this one’s pretty slow, but it is exactly what these characters need to be able to come to terms with their issues.
It also makes these guys’ past history believable. Their attraction to each other is undeniable, but their friendship is the foundation.
House of Cards isn’t your typical Garrett Leigh novel, but it won me over with its steady pace, creative characters, and interesting story line. There’s enough going on in this novel that I didn’t miss the high angst and intensity of her usual writing. This book is a soothing comfort read which I highly recommend.
May 4, 2022
I quite liked this one!
I tend to have quite variable success with Leigh's stories, but this one thankfully worked for me. Enjoyable writing, and I really liked how very British this felt--strong sense of setting here! Some good representation and there are sensitive topics handled well and also in a way that felt organic to the story. I did feel a little exhausted by the cheating ex-boyfriend plot, just because it's *so* overdone in this genre--you'd think one of every three people has walked in on their boyfriend having sex in their bed judging by how often it happens in MM romance. But I liked the characters and their connection, and this was an enjoyable read for me overall.
I tend to have quite variable success with Leigh's stories, but this one thankfully worked for me. Enjoyable writing, and I really liked how very British this felt--strong sense of setting here! Some good representation and there are sensitive topics handled well and also in a way that felt organic to the story. I did feel a little exhausted by the cheating ex-boyfriend plot, just because it's *so* overdone in this genre--you'd think one of every three people has walked in on their boyfriend having sex in their bed judging by how often it happens in MM romance. But I liked the characters and their connection, and this was an enjoyable read for me overall.
September 4, 2019
4.5 stars from me. A lovely story of old friends who'd lost each other and their way in the world, but found each other again and were determined to make every day count.
Yes, there are serious issues in the story, and of course, it wouldn't be a Garrett read without lashings of angst 😉, but worth every minute of the read. The 'real' stars of the show, without a doubt, were the rescued battery hens 🐔, and my only niggle was that Rob got away with absolutely everything....we can only hope that that situation will change 😠.
Yes, there are serious issues in the story, and of course, it wouldn't be a Garrett read without lashings of angst 😉, but worth every minute of the read. The 'real' stars of the show, without a doubt, were the rescued battery hens 🐔, and my only niggle was that Rob got away with absolutely everything....we can only hope that that situation will change 😠.
October 30, 2017
House of Cards is a super-slow-burn romance but it's also the story of a friendship.
Both MCs have lived very difficult lives and have secrets about their pasts. Calum just kept it a secret from his new friends but he shared it with the reader from the start. We learned what was going on with him pretty much from the first page but throughout the story we learned more details about the situaton he was in to better understand what he was going through.
On the other hand, Brix's secret only got revealed near the end of the story but there were clues along the way so it wasn't difficult to guess what it was. Still, I wasn't disappointed that I was able to guess it early or by the way the author handled it.
Since it's pretty clear from the prologue what Calum was going through I don't think it's a spoiler to say that he was in a very toxic relationship for four years. I couldn't understand how he could have landed in the situation he was in when the book started but later on he opened up about his past to Brix and it became clear how little by little he found himself in a deadend with no way to escape.
I would have liked to see more of the journey he had to go through in order to gain his life back and to find himself again after being with an abusive and manipulating person for so long but sadly that didn't happen here. While it passed time for him to ovecome what had happened, we just saw the results, we didn't see the process and that's something that I feel was missing from the story.
As I said this is a slow-burn romance and it only had one sex scene near the end but it didn't feel like the story was lacking anything because of that. It was actually the opposite. Both MCs had a lot going on and they hadn't seen each other for many years so it was fitting that first they had to establish a connection again and work in getting their friendship back. There was attraction between them but they had to have a few conversations and earn each other's trust again before it went anywhere.
I think this is the first story I've read that features a chicken as a side character. And a well liked one too! Bongo was a sweetheart, she was a resqued lab chicken that liked to cuddle with Calum. How sweet is that! Ok, it's also smelly but let's not focus on that.
There are so many interesting secondary characters in this story that I can't just pick one as a favorite. Brix had an amazing group of mismatched friends, every one of which had his own interesting story. We learned some of them and we just got teased about some others. I'm just glad that the next book in the Porthkennack series by Garrett Leigh is around the corner and it features Kim. I was hoping I'll get to know his story!
4.5 stars
* A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
Both MCs have lived very difficult lives and have secrets about their pasts. Calum just kept it a secret from his new friends but he shared it with the reader from the start. We learned what was going on with him pretty much from the first page but throughout the story we learned more details about the situaton he was in to better understand what he was going through.
On the other hand, Brix's secret only got revealed near the end of the story but there were clues along the way so it wasn't difficult to guess what it was. Still, I wasn't disappointed that I was able to guess it early or by the way the author handled it.
Since it's pretty clear from the prologue what Calum was going through I don't think it's a spoiler to say that he was in a very toxic relationship for four years. I couldn't understand how he could have landed in the situation he was in when the book started but later on he opened up about his past to Brix and it became clear how little by little he found himself in a deadend with no way to escape.
I would have liked to see more of the journey he had to go through in order to gain his life back and to find himself again after being with an abusive and manipulating person for so long but sadly that didn't happen here. While it passed time for him to ovecome what had happened, we just saw the results, we didn't see the process and that's something that I feel was missing from the story.
As I said this is a slow-burn romance and it only had one sex scene near the end but it didn't feel like the story was lacking anything because of that. It was actually the opposite. Both MCs had a lot going on and they hadn't seen each other for many years so it was fitting that first they had to establish a connection again and work in getting their friendship back. There was attraction between them but they had to have a few conversations and earn each other's trust again before it went anywhere.
I think this is the first story I've read that features a chicken as a side character. And a well liked one too! Bongo was a sweetheart, she was a resqued lab chicken that liked to cuddle with Calum. How sweet is that! Ok, it's also smelly but let's not focus on that.
There are so many interesting secondary characters in this story that I can't just pick one as a favorite. Brix had an amazing group of mismatched friends, every one of which had his own interesting story. We learned some of them and we just got teased about some others. I'm just glad that the next book in the Porthkennack series by Garrett Leigh is around the corner and it features Kim. I was hoping I'll get to know his story!
4.5 stars
* A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
June 30, 2017
I admit that I have only read two books by Garrett Leigh and I tend to avoid her works because I am worry about the level of angst. Well, I am satisfied to say that in
House of Cards
, the fourth entry to the Porthkennack series, Garrett Leigh successfully balances the angst, the drama, and the hopefulness between the two main characters.
Yes, it started with Calum Hardy being down on his luck, losing his place of work and money, with practically no place to go and nothing owned thanks to his bastard cheating of a boyfriend. While Brix Lusmoore has secrets of his own, one that he has been carried along as personal baggage for the past four years.
However, it never gets to the point where I thought the angst was written 'for the sake of angst alone, you know? It is somber, probably supported by the atmospheric location of Porthkennack, but at the same time it also feels earnest. This town simply becomes sanctuary where all these characters belong.
I loved the slow burn (and oh, how it SLOWLY burns with low level of steam as well! *heart feels content*) romance between Calum and Brix. Although they know each other from a decade ago, that they are friends, but it takes time for both to acknowledge their feelings and to act on it. I loved the contemplative conversations that Calum and Brix have as they slowly learn about one another that didn't happen the years before.
I loved the connectedness between Calum, Brix, and the rest of the 'strays' that Brix collected as part of his tattoo shop crews. Each of them has their own story to tell, although Lee, who steadfastly becomes Calum's best friend, is the only one with a solid background.
And gosh how I loved the good-for-cuddling hens and the cantankerous cats *laugh*
All in all, for me, House of Cards is a wistful, quiet, and at its core -- I think -- a very romantic story.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Yes, it started with Calum Hardy being down on his luck, losing his place of work and money, with practically no place to go and nothing owned thanks to his bastard cheating of a boyfriend. While Brix Lusmoore has secrets of his own, one that he has been carried along as personal baggage for the past four years.
However, it never gets to the point where I thought the angst was written 'for the sake of angst alone, you know? It is somber, probably supported by the atmospheric location of Porthkennack, but at the same time it also feels earnest. This town simply becomes sanctuary where all these characters belong.
I loved the slow burn (and oh, how it SLOWLY burns with low level of steam as well! *heart feels content*) romance between Calum and Brix. Although they know each other from a decade ago, that they are friends, but it takes time for both to acknowledge their feelings and to act on it. I loved the contemplative conversations that Calum and Brix have as they slowly learn about one another that didn't happen the years before.
I loved the connectedness between Calum, Brix, and the rest of the 'strays' that Brix collected as part of his tattoo shop crews. Each of them has their own story to tell, although Lee, who steadfastly becomes Calum's best friend, is the only one with a solid background.
And gosh how I loved the good-for-cuddling hens and the cantankerous cats *laugh*
“There’s a home by the sea for any emmet who’s got the heart for it. My nan taught me that.”
“Did she? What do you think she’d say about my heart, eh?”
“That it was made for mine.”
All in all, for me, House of Cards is a wistful, quiet, and at its core -- I think -- a very romantic story.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
July 12, 2017
I'm going to be a dissenting voice on this book. Brix and Calum did not make me care for them and they should have. Brix saving battery hens is a biggie, a passion of my daughter's and therefore mine, but that didn't make me care enough. Calum made me tired and I wanted to tell him to communicate. I didn't feel pulled in by the eclectic cast of secondary characters either. I found I don't care much for tattoo work, I mean, I love the artistry of it but I don't want to actually know about it. Also, the pace didn't help, and I'll discuss the main niggle on the blog later because it's a spoiler.
Consider this a spoiler review
Consider this a spoiler review
May 2, 2019
3 totally saw that coming stars
I liked this book as much as you can like a book that was difficult to read; by which I of course mean that the book was heavy on British local slang..? Which is difficult for me to understand since yours truly is not British- as if my lack of propriety didn't give it away already.
And I'm not totally crazy for Brix and Calum- they are good characters, but I think I would've loved them more if I actually understood what they were saying/thinking/doing. Also that major twist? I totally called that a few chapters in. So..
I liked this book as much as you can like a book that was difficult to read; by which I of course mean that the book was heavy on British local slang..? Which is difficult for me to understand since yours truly is not British- as if my lack of propriety didn't give it away already.
And I'm not totally crazy for Brix and Calum- they are good characters, but I think I would've loved them more if I actually understood what they were saying/thinking/doing. Also that major twist? I totally called that a few chapters in. So..
April 29, 2024
This is a revised and re-edited version of the story.
Brix left London years ago for his hometown in Cornwall but before he left London, Calum was his friend. We don't know why he left and neither does Calum, just that he disappeared. However, this story begins with heartbreak, with Calum walking in on his partner in bed with another man. Its clear that Calum is in a highly abusive situation, financially and emotionally and in a panic, he bolts for the nearest train ending up in Cornwall, drunk, no phone, no money and incoherent where he is found by Brix.
Brix takes in strays and Calum is no different. He gives him a place to stay, space in his tattoo shop and the renewal of their friendship. And this is a book about friendship and found family. Despite his conflicted relationship with his hometown and his family, Brix has made a good life for himself despite his secrets and he welcomes Calum into it. Their relationship is so sweet and they are both so good to each other in their own ways. Despite being barely functioning, Calum still looks after Brix in a million small ways and the re-emergence of their chemistry and attraction for each other weaves throughout the plot.
This is no lighthearted romance. Both Calum and Brix have heavy secrets and have both experienced the worst kind of betrayal by those they closest to them but their chemistry is undeniable. This is necessarily a slow burn and when these two do come together, its steamy but more emotional than anything.
I loved this story and Garrett Leigh did a phenomenal job with the research on this one - its spot on for the time making this so viscerally real.
I loved this book and cannot wait for Kim's story.
ARC provided for my honest review
Brix left London years ago for his hometown in Cornwall but before he left London, Calum was his friend. We don't know why he left and neither does Calum, just that he disappeared. However, this story begins with heartbreak, with Calum walking in on his partner in bed with another man. Its clear that Calum is in a highly abusive situation, financially and emotionally and in a panic, he bolts for the nearest train ending up in Cornwall, drunk, no phone, no money and incoherent where he is found by Brix.
Brix takes in strays and Calum is no different. He gives him a place to stay, space in his tattoo shop and the renewal of their friendship. And this is a book about friendship and found family. Despite his conflicted relationship with his hometown and his family, Brix has made a good life for himself despite his secrets and he welcomes Calum into it. Their relationship is so sweet and they are both so good to each other in their own ways. Despite being barely functioning, Calum still looks after Brix in a million small ways and the re-emergence of their chemistry and attraction for each other weaves throughout the plot.
This is no lighthearted romance. Both Calum and Brix have heavy secrets and have both experienced the worst kind of betrayal by those they closest to them but their chemistry is undeniable. This is necessarily a slow burn and when these two do come together, its steamy but more emotional than anything.
I loved this story and Garrett Leigh did a phenomenal job with the research on this one - its spot on for the time making this so viscerally real.
I loved this book and cannot wait for Kim's story.
ARC provided for my honest review
May 3, 2024
Garrett Leigh has the ability to make me feel every single emotion her characters are feeling just by describing their actions and thoughts without over the top descriptions and inner dialogue, which for me is PERFECTION. This book was mainly a story about how shitty people have no qualms about fucking with the ones around them, affecting their lives in deep ways, but if you find your people, the ones that care for you and are generous and wholesome, you can heal and find a safe space in which to thrive. The themes of hurt/comfort and queer found family are some of my favourites, maybe because I've always felt a bit broken until I found my people. But first, our characters are put through the ringer.
She manages to break our hearts in the first chapter with all the bs Calum so-called boyfriend puts him through. For anyone who has suffered psychological abuse by a partner, Calum's journey will be a familiar one. He is so broken down, has so little self-esteem, that you just want to hug him and keep him safe. Luckily, Brix finds him and gives him a home. They know each other from before and while I wanted them to reconnect and tell each other all their secrets, it was reasonable for them to not do that. But it was a slow burn while Calum found his place and started trusting there's good people still in the world. And Brix needed to feel safe to open up about his issues too.
The side characters were amazing and I loved how the Rebel Kings were kinda present, especially Rubi. I appreciated my man Saint being a protector for my trans sibling Lee.
And Brix rescuing chickens had my little vegan heart doing a happy dance.
I imagine Brix and Calum being happy by the sea with their chicken and their unwanted crates of contraband in the yard forever.
She manages to break our hearts in the first chapter with all the bs Calum so-called boyfriend puts him through. For anyone who has suffered psychological abuse by a partner, Calum's journey will be a familiar one. He is so broken down, has so little self-esteem, that you just want to hug him and keep him safe. Luckily, Brix finds him and gives him a home. They know each other from before and while I wanted them to reconnect and tell each other all their secrets, it was reasonable for them to not do that. But it was a slow burn while Calum found his place and started trusting there's good people still in the world. And Brix needed to feel safe to open up about his issues too.
The side characters were amazing and I loved how the Rebel Kings were kinda present, especially Rubi. I appreciated my man Saint being a protector for my trans sibling Lee.
And Brix rescuing chickens had my little vegan heart doing a happy dance.
I imagine Brix and Calum being happy by the sea with their chicken and their unwanted crates of contraband in the yard forever.
August 4, 2017
3.5 stars
Garrett Leigh doesn’t do light and easy. Her romances are gritty, which is often a more realistic look at life and love. That’s definitely the case in ‘House of Cards.’
The setting of the Cornish coast added depth and meshed well with the story - tough, stormy, and dark.
For a large chunk of the book, Calum is hardly holding on. His ex did a number on him, and his confidence is completely shot.
It would be hard not to fall for Calum. All he wanted was a home and someone to call his own.
Brix is a paragon of virtue. He loves his friends and family deeply, and spends his time off rescuing chickens. But Brix also has personal demons that keep him from finding his happily ever after.
When Brix and Calum are reunited, it’s under less-than-perfect circumstances. But if doesn’t take long for the two to fall back into the easy friendship that they once shared.
I think what I liked most about the book was how easily the two just clicked, despite the years and the circumstances.
Brix slowly coaxes Calum back to his former happy self. It takes a long time, but bit by bit Calum re-builds himself. Living with Calum also makes Brix question his life of solitude.
I’d say for the majority of the book, the focus is on Calum’s healing, rather than the romance. It dragged at points, but that healing was necessary for Calum and Brix to come together as whole and happy equals.
Once the two start moving beyond friendship, it’s a slow process. Though Brix and Calum were clearly made for each other, they don’t make falling in love easy.
Both have to let go of misgivings and past hurts. The happy ever after is hard-won, but perfect!
If you’re looking for a slow-burn MM romance with lots of emphasis on healing, give ‘House of Cards’ a try!
Garrett Leigh doesn’t do light and easy. Her romances are gritty, which is often a more realistic look at life and love. That’s definitely the case in ‘House of Cards.’
The setting of the Cornish coast added depth and meshed well with the story - tough, stormy, and dark.
For a large chunk of the book, Calum is hardly holding on. His ex did a number on him, and his confidence is completely shot.
It would be hard not to fall for Calum. All he wanted was a home and someone to call his own.
Brix is a paragon of virtue. He loves his friends and family deeply, and spends his time off rescuing chickens. But Brix also has personal demons that keep him from finding his happily ever after.
When Brix and Calum are reunited, it’s under less-than-perfect circumstances. But if doesn’t take long for the two to fall back into the easy friendship that they once shared.
I think what I liked most about the book was how easily the two just clicked, despite the years and the circumstances.
Brix slowly coaxes Calum back to his former happy self. It takes a long time, but bit by bit Calum re-builds himself. Living with Calum also makes Brix question his life of solitude.
I’d say for the majority of the book, the focus is on Calum’s healing, rather than the romance. It dragged at points, but that healing was necessary for Calum and Brix to come together as whole and happy equals.
Once the two start moving beyond friendship, it’s a slow process. Though Brix and Calum were clearly made for each other, they don’t make falling in love easy.
Both have to let go of misgivings and past hurts. The happy ever after is hard-won, but perfect!
If you’re looking for a slow-burn MM romance with lots of emphasis on healing, give ‘House of Cards’ a try!
August 22, 2022
It's a Garrett Leigh book, I don't really need to say any more given how much I adore her writing and how she always seems to capture my heart with everything she writes.
Here it's two people who've been left emotionally bruised and, in Calum's case, with a physical one too, when their paths cross once again.
Brix hasn't seen Cal for four years when he finds him slumped on a bench at Truro Station.
What follows is a beautiful story in which two people not only reconnect with each other, but also with their own personal fears, and together they begin to build a new friendship.
Cal finds a home in Brix's cottage and in his tattoo parlour, he finds a job and a friendship circle that supports him without conditions.
This is a slow burn romance for very legitimate reasons and it works so very well to give the reader time to fall in love with them both the way they are with each other.
With the wonderful sense of place that the whole Porthkennack series has, this narrative crafts a gently enfolding warmth of comfort around Cal, Brix and their friends, while drawing closer to Cal finding out what Brix is hiding about his return home.
While it's fairly easy to work it out, there's still a gut-thumping weight when it finally comes out and I loved the sensitivity and weight that Cal gives to the information.
All in all, this book is just a fabulous low key but highly emotional story that pulls the reader deeply and very satisfactorily into rooting hard for Brix and Cal's happy ever after.
Here it's two people who've been left emotionally bruised and, in Calum's case, with a physical one too, when their paths cross once again.
Brix hasn't seen Cal for four years when he finds him slumped on a bench at Truro Station.
What follows is a beautiful story in which two people not only reconnect with each other, but also with their own personal fears, and together they begin to build a new friendship.
Cal finds a home in Brix's cottage and in his tattoo parlour, he finds a job and a friendship circle that supports him without conditions.
This is a slow burn romance for very legitimate reasons and it works so very well to give the reader time to fall in love with them both the way they are with each other.
With the wonderful sense of place that the whole Porthkennack series has, this narrative crafts a gently enfolding warmth of comfort around Cal, Brix and their friends, while drawing closer to Cal finding out what Brix is hiding about his return home.
While it's fairly easy to work it out, there's still a gut-thumping weight when it finally comes out and I loved the sensitivity and weight that Cal gives to the information.
All in all, this book is just a fabulous low key but highly emotional story that pulls the reader deeply and very satisfactorily into rooting hard for Brix and Cal's happy ever after.
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