Luca

Open Wounds #5

by Michelle Frost

Life hasn’t always been kind to Luca Barlos. His second chance came in the form of Rourke MMA and a brother who refused to give up on him. Now, he has a job he enjoys, friends, and a crush he can’t ignore. Luca may be shy, but he knows what he wants—the gorgeous detective with chestnut hair and a kind smile.

Clark hasn’t always been a tough-guy detective. In school, he was the nerdy, chubby kid. Now he’s all grown up, living his dream of being a cop and working up the nerve to ask the object of his affections on a date.

Luca is the first novella in the continuation of the Open Wounds series. The series is best read in order.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Queer, Sports

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2022

About the author

Romance writer. Dog mom. Hoarder of coffee cups. She/her.

Reviews

[AussieMum · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars
This series was a fave of mine a few years ago but it’s safe to say that Luca will not be on my reread list. It was overly sweet, had nearly all relationship progression off-page and very little plot.
Basically, everything was nice and I was bored. YMMV.

I’ll still be checking out the next book when it’s released. Can’t like them all.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short, sweet. I've forgotten much of the finer details on this series, but I bet I'd have enjoyed it more had I actually read this closer to the other four books

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting so long with fingers crossed that Michelle would revisit this world, that we would see Luca’s story and catch up with all these great characters and this little novella was just what I was hoping for.
It carries on from the timeline at the end of Vidar’s book. (Book 4) Luca is a blanket of comfort read. We see him and Clark healing as they get to know each other, and start their relationship. Luca is such a strong character given all he’s been through. Clark is just a sweetheart.
As with the previous books this book is full of found and blood family, loyalty and laughs.
I adored it and can not wait to see more with these tasty treats coming out way shortly.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

LUCA was such a soft and gentle read and I'm so glad we got Luca's story after all these years! After everything Luca has been through he deserves a happy ending and I loved how sweet Clark was around Luca. They make a great couple and if you're looking for a low-angst and cute read then this is definitely it.

Content Warning: prior to the book starting, Nico was living on the street and got pulled into a motorcycle club that forced him to run drugs

[Reverly Kerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved books 1-4

This was way too short no real character development. Very disappointing. The other books were on a more deeper level .It seemed wordy without saying anything

[lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHY ARE WE GOING SO FAST

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luca and Clark's story may have been short, but it was still delightfully sweet. The way they shyly danced around each other at first was really adorable, and I was thrilled when Luca finally worked up the courage to have a longer conversation with Clark. Their dates may have been low-key, but I could tell how much it meant for each of them to make time to be together and explore their new connection. Knowing how deeply Luca had been burned in the past, it made me so happy to see him open up and begin to trust that Clark would always treat him right. Their romance wasn't the steamiest, but the love they shared was no less strong for it. I hope they'll continue to make appearances throughout the rest of this series because I'm not ready to say goodbye!

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions. 

[FHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being rescued from a horrific life, Luca is slowly taking back control of his life.
Watching the enigmatic Detective Clark from afar, Luca is enamoured with the bigger man.

Clark is smitten, Luca has caught his eye but he is hesitant to make a move. Under the protection of the Rourkes, Clark knows he needs to thread carefully.

With them both having secret crushes, the chemistry is quick to ignite once they do come together.
With a little bit of cheering from the the Rourke family these two come together and find the happiness they both deserved.

A sweet, quick read with lovely characters, a few passionate moments and the appearance of past characters enhanced this story even more. A lovely addition to this series.

[Flick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, low-angst read

I really enjoyed the Open Wounds series so I was really excited when I saw there was a new book. Luca is a total sweetheart (which is astounding given everything he’s been through) and absolutely deserved to find the happiness he has both with Clark and the rest of his found family. I liked the soft slide into a relationship ship between Luca and Clark, though I did wish we got to see more of it (a lot happened off-page). Clark was lovely; he comes across as confident (and in many ways he completely is) but he has a softer more vulnerable side that we really got to see with Luca. It was so sweet to see them open up to each other. I can’t wait for Rory’s book!

[Leanne Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was short but was a beautiful read and is the 5th book in the Open Wounds series and it was lovely to see Luca thrive and open himself up to a relationship after everything he has been through. I loved how his relationship with Nico progressed and has become solid.

Luca and Detective Clarke both have past traumas and hang ups and it was amazing to see them work through them separately and together to be able to get a happily ever after.

My only disappointment with this book was that it was such a short read, i felt this should have been like the other books and had more depth to it aswell as go much deeper into their lives. But overall it was a beautiful read.

[Devoted❤️Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling

Aww, I love Luca and want to wrap him in the gentlest, squishiest hug ever. “It was at that moment, arms still holding the beautiful man in front of him, he knew he’d fallen so much faster than he’d meant to.” Clark, who I can understand why he goes by Clark, is such a caring, so patient, so sweet match for him. They make me smile and sigh. I’m so happy there is more to come in this amazing found family and world.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It very quickly became apparent that this was part of a series, I looked it up to find I had read the first one but a while ago, I don't remember much about it sadly. This one was a touching but short read as we meet shy young Luca who has strong feelings for Detective Clark. Luca's past has been horrific making him nervous, cautious and prone to panic attacks, but he couldn't have fallen into better hands than caring Clark who is gentle, patient and kind. It's a sweet read.

[Courtney Glover Towns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I'm glad to see that Luca and Clark got themselves sorted out. It was great to see Lucas development after all he'd been through and the solid relationship he had with Nico. Luca and Clark's relationship was sweet and beautiful. It was great to see Luca get his happy ever after.

[TLF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luca gets his man

This was a sweet novella. Luca after suffering so much at the hands of a MC and having been rescued by his brother and members of a rival MC has a crush on a certain police detective Clark. The feeling is mutual and this a sweet, low angst short story with a HEA for Luca and Clark set in the world of the Open Wounds series. Looking forward to more.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luca is a short and sweet novella set in the Open Wounds series. Luca had been rescued by his brother and members of a rival MC. Luca and Clark both have secret crushes on each other and had great chemistry. I really loved that we got to revisit with some previous characters. Overall, a fantastic story that is well written with great pacing.

[kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved jumping back into the world of Open Wounds.
Luca finally gets his HEA and he is so deserving of it!
I loved the chemistry between him and Clark, each having been crushing on the other without acting on their feelings.
Finally they connect and it truly is like they were made for each other. They balance each other perfectly!
I can't wait for more in the Open Wounds series.

[Readingbks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 5th Book in the wonderful Open Wounds Series! This is a novella. I loved Luca and Clark's story and I loved revisiting some old friends too! Enjoyable and romantic! I read an advanced copy of this story and this is my unbiased review!

[Vintage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet

Totally cute and tender love story between Luca and his crush Clark. Clark is totally #boyfriend goals and he patiently woos Luca. Looking forward to more from this group.

[Rebecca Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love Michelle so much! Her work is always amazing!
Luca & Clark are too sweet for words. The chemistry is there and the love is wholesome! The Rourke family is amazing as always, the dynamic is so full of love and so beautiful!
I can’t wait to catch up with Rory & Magnus next! 😀❤️😀❤️

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

predictably so

I’m probably bias but this book follows the very typical line like the others in the series.
Smaller top, bigger bottom- not the books I enjoy. But I did read them all giving them a chance…

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! So Good!!

Well written story and well developed characters! You have to read this series in the correct order for the best experience! They are just awesome!

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok but not a lot happened. Too short

[Macky · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5⭐️

[Katie Clausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

😍😍😍😍

This was really good!! So glad for Luca and his ending!!!! The series is almost over!!! I'm not ready!!! On to the next!!!

[Courtney Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet

Loved this shirt and sweet love story of Luca and Clark. It left me smiling and wanting more from this world can’t wait to dive into Rory!

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my fav. Too short and Luca deserved more.

[Pam Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

Sweet Luca ❤️ so happy he got his happily ever after with loving and patient Clark. I’ve really enjoyed this series.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Homelessness recounted

[Dani Elle Maas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this series and i am so excited to see it being continuid!
cannot wait for whatever is coming

[Anne]

I think the story would have deserved more pages to explain/show/develop the relationship between the MCs.