(Review with spoilers)
First book I read by the author. I loved the romance and I recommend it.
When they were teenagers, Emmett and Houston had feelings for each other, but nothing ever happened between them. Emmett didn't dare take the first step, and Houston thought he didn't like him. They stopped seeing each other at 18. Houston left, angry and upset with Ray, his father, and Emmett joined the army. Ten years have passed and they meet again, although neither of them expected it.
I loved them.
Houston suffered a lot after losing Lucas, his father, and the only good thing he had was Emmett, even though his relationship was not close. But he left, hoping to start from scratch. He is very brave, because he goes back to the place where he suffered, to take care of the person who hurt him. It's normal that he hates him, it's very understandable, and at the same time he loves him too. He doesn't want to be there, he doesn't want to help him, but he can't leave either. His father wouldn't want him to.
Emmett has also suffered a lot, more than anyone should. He has a hard time opening up, he has a hard time trusting, but he has very good friends. And Houston ... He didn't expect to see him again, he didn't expect to have a chance with him. It's not easy, he can't get close to him, not after he lost his first love. He doesn't want to hurt Houston, he doesn't want to lose him. But he still believes in a better future. It hurts to read his suffering, how he doesn't think he is worthy of being loved. His loved ones would love to see him happy. He is also brave, he is able to talk to Houston, to tell him what he has never said to anyone. And it is his example that inspires Houston, the one that makes him gather strength to face Ray.
I didn't like Ray. He hurt Houston, blamed him for Lucas's death, mistreated him. He never meant to hurt him, but he did, and he lost him. He had lost Lucas, and then lost, through his own fault, his son. Years of blaming himself, years of suffering, hoping that his son will be happy, that he can forgive him. He too was brave. You have to be brave to apologize for everything he did, to put up with Houston's answers. He doesn't think he deserves his forgiveness. He only wanted one thing, to see Lucas again. And now he has reason to fight his illness, to live.
I love Ishmael and Tammy.
I loved the first moments with their daughter.
I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.