The Healer

Knights of Boston #1

by Courtney W. Dixon

To heal the body, you must first heal the soul.


José

I lost everything. My parents were murdered, my best friend was sent to prison for a drug deal gone wrong, and eventually, my grandmother, who raised me since I was fifteen, died. I have been living life day to day to make a good life away from gangs and violence. As a nurse, I can finally do something meaningful. But I’ve been lonely, too, until the bumbling nurse standing a foot taller than me had me constantly irritated, yet I found him strangely endearing.

Jonas

Family is everything. Family is life and goodness, and I would do anything to protect them. Including protecting them from me. When I came out as gay at thirteen, it threatened to tear the family apart. Some supported me. Some were disgusted. So, back into the closet I went to maintain the peace. But after eighteen years of absolute loneliness, there is only one man who could finally pull me out to see the light of day. José is a fiery nurse I work with, and I want him. Unfortunately, I keep irritating him too much for him to really notice me.

Can the two men stop dancing around each other and colliding long enough to realize they are the perfect match? Will Jonas’ family finally accept him as he is? And danger lurks too close to home for José. Can he protect those he loves in time?

CW: Homophobia, bullying, racism, teenage drinking and smoking, death of parents, sibling abuse, attempted murder, violence, explicit language, and sex.

Knights of Boston is a three-book subseries from Kings of Boston, filled with fan-favorite secondary characters. Each book will work as a standalone and the characters will not mingle with each other. Each one will be its own story.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Gay, Dark

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2023

About the author

Courtney W. Dixon loves to write steamy hurt/comfort romance, giving her characters challenges, struggles, and sometimes trauma... Fine, a LOT of trauma. Her team teases her about charging her for their therapy bills after reading one of her books.

She loves to add variety and multiple tropes in her stories along with different types of dynamics/relationships. And she writes her characters as having flaws, imperfections, and who don't always do the right thing. Humans are sometimes frustrating, never perfect, and make a lot of mistakes in their lives. Courtney enjoys pushing her characters, making their HEAs so much more worth it when they get there. Mental health is a big feature in her books.

She loves her coffee ice cream and popcorn a little too much. And her cat, Olly, is her co-writer, where he sleeps on an ottoman under her desk as her muse. Actually, he's rather useless, but he's adorable.

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Reviews

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

I was entertained by this book and invested in the story the whole way through, which is always a good sign. I thought it was really neat how it started with the MCs being younger, showing us defining moments in their lives that would shape the people they eventually became. Definitely different from how it usually goes. It wasn’t drawn out, and the MCs never met while they were younger, but a few chapters giving us an idea of who they were and the struggles they would deal with as adults.

My silence certainly made everyone happy at the expense of my own. Little threads of happiness were slowly plucked out of me, leaving me an unraveled mess who looked fine on the outside, yet depressed on the inside. It didn’t take me long to figure out that denying your identity could be detrimental to your well-being, but the fear was too much to push me forward. Instead, I lived in Purgatory.

It was also nice to read about two men who actually wanted domestic bliss. They were both looking for relationships, and both wanted something good and stable. I’ve read too many books with MCs who think murder is the only thing worse than commitment. Both MCs pasts end up coming back to cause problems (who could’ve seen that coming?), and it was a little sad, and a little bit of action, which suited me fine after reading a long ass book with character driven plot only.

I’d told Bria about a crush, though I didn’t say that my crush was a gorgeous, five foot seven inches, tattooed Latino man with thick dark curls and a smile to die for… when he wasn’t scowling at me. When he smiled, it lit up his entire face, making him twice as gorgeous.

I’m not sure how I feel about giving the raging homophobe a ‘sort of’ redemption ARC, but maybe I’m just not a forgiving person. All in all, I was invested in the characters and wanted them to get a good HEA, which I wholly believe they did. The epilogue made me smile.

To anyone outside, looking in, we probably looked ridiculous. A giant of a man being cuddled and held by a smaller one.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Nurse x2
Size difference
Interracial relationship
Foster dads
Hurt/comfort
Past trauma
Very mild mafia element
Opposites attract
Closeted MC
Frenemies to lovers

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobia
Graphic violence
Underage drinking and smoking
Arson
Murder
Parent death
Sibling abuse
Attempted murder
Betrayal (side character)
Mentions of racism
Hate crime (beating)
Brief mention of sexual assault (side character)

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No. One MC is kissed by a past friend, but it is not reciprocated.
Third-act breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- opposites attract
- size difference
- closeted
- interracial relationship
- small top/big bottom

When José switches to the day shift at the clinic he works at, his handsome but shy coworker Jonas, knocks him off his feet—literally. The pair get off to a rocky start, but soon he learns how sweet Jonas can be.

Despite the rough start, the chemistry between Jonas and José is undeniable, and the more they open up we learn that life has not always been so kind to either of them.

José opens up about his parents being murdered and about losing his best friend to gang life and imprisonment. Jonas reveals he’s been closeted since he was a teenager thanks to getting beaten up for being gay and some of his family’s poor reception to his coming out.

Despite their differing backgrounds and hardships, Jonas and José just work and from the start of their relationship they’re all in. Their love is sweet, but not without problems—family drama, appearances from the past, and unexpected life changes to name a few.

This was a great intro to the Knights of Boston series, and I cannot wait for book two!

[Lilly [Hiatus due to School] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Healer is the first book in the Knights of Boston series. While related to the Kings of Boston series it can be read as a standalone.

Jose had a rough start in life when he lost both his parents. His parents were killed in a house fire, only to learn that they were murdered. While still processing his grief, he loses his best friend when he’s arrested for murder.

Jonas is a gentle giant who knew he was gay from a young age and wanted to come out to his family and date the boy he had a crush on at school. However, while his mother and sisters accepted his sexuality, it was not the case for his brothers or father. To add to the pain, when he confesses to his crush, he ends up getting beat up by the boys in school. From that day forward, he decides that it is safer to be in the closet.

These two men cross paths at a clinic where they work as nurses and when unexpected circumstances cause them to work the same shift, they become closer.

These two were very much opposites but perfect for one another. Jonas is a shy, gentle giant and you have Jose, who is short but tough and filled with so much confidence. They have an instant connection and great sexual chemistry. I loved that Jose was able to give Jonas the confidence he needed to be out and proud. There are some hiccups in their relationships, especially as they have to confront Jonas’s homophobic brothers. Nevertheless, they overcame it to reach their hard earned HEA.

These two were able to create a wonderful family when they took in two children who were neglected. They have such big hearts, so seeing them care for these two kids was lovely.

Overall I really enjoyed The Healer and look forward to the next book in the series!

[Book Binge: Reviews by Melissa DaSilva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more by then in the future. This book is loosely related to another series by this author where both Jonas and Jose were introduced. I have not read that series and the author mentioned this can be read as a standalone. I completely agree and did not feel lost at all, even with some mentions of things that happened in the other books.

This book starts off when both Jonas and Jose are young and they don’t actually end up meeting besides just in passing until about 20% through the book. We get a lot of background information for them and I found I was completely sucked into their teenage lives. So much happened to them (make sure to read the triggers if you need to as a lot happens in this book) and both have very hard teenage years. I couldn’t get enough of their backgrounds. They finally meet when they are older and once they start talking have a fairly instantaneous relationship which moves quickly.

There were a lot of surprises for me in this book that I wasn’t expecting. Some I loved, other I didn’t but overall it kept me on my toes and kept me wanting to continue with their story. I absolutely will want to read the next book in this series and recommend this one if you enjoy size difference, MCs in the medical field, 3rd act breakups, and angst!

[LifeReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is certainly full of a lot of complex emotions and issues, it gives you whiplash of which one to latch onto.

I shouldn’t pick favourites, but the stand out in this book is Jonas. It was lovely to have a shy character who is so unsure of himself, but is so sure of what he needs at the same time, if that makes sense.

His relationship with feisty Jose doesn’t have the best start, but they quickly develop an intense relationship where they certainly have things in common in the bedroom, or wherever they decide to do it 😂

I would say this is a story that gives a message of where there is darkness and a fear, you can reach the light and joy of being who you are and realising everyone around you is background noise.

These 2 are the sweetest couple you could read about and it certainly surprised me how Jose was as big of a gooey romantic as his big guy Jonas…but don’t let that sweetness fool you as these guys know how to let go when horny 😈 Courtney brought her dirty talk game!!

[E.L. Ough · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, this is now my favourite book by Courtney! I loved it! I love a size difference, this book had so much hurt/comfort, poor Jonah had my heart!

Jonas knew from a young age that he was gay, when he choose to come out so he could attend the prom with his crush, he didn’t except to get beaten up. A few of his family members did not like him being gay so Jonas put himself back in that closet, but in doing so he spent a good chunk of his life lonely. He worked in a clinic helping the poorer family’s in the community get medical care they needed, he worked days, but when a shift change put him literally face to face with José his closet door popped open.

José had a tough start in life, his parents died in a house fire that turned out to be murder, then his best friend was put in prison for killing someone. His life was spiralling but his loving grandmother took him in and gave him the best life till she passed away. He wanted to give back and be a good person so he worked nights at the local clinic and spent his days doing up his house. Due to staff shortage he has to work the day shift, it put him in close contact with the giant of a man who kept running into him and it was driving him insane!! But after a medical emergency he sees another side to Jonas and decides to give him a second chance.

These two were so good together, the push and pull between them, the chemistry was 🥵. I loved the cuddles and affection and the intimacy, Courtney upped her game in the spice department!!! So much hurt/comfort, I couldn’t put the book down! My heart broke for Jonas and José, they had to fight for their HEA, but I’m so glad they found each other and made their own family.

I buddy read this book with @anja and we both loved it.

Read trigger warnings if your sensitive to them

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book content-
🔷Size difference
🔷Opposites attract
🔷Small top/big bottom
🔷Interracial relationship
🔷Medical
🔷In the closet
🔷Frenemies to lovers
🔷Gentle giant

[Amos24601]

TOD: 28%

Jonas is shy, like, in a not fun but painful way. He can’t even have a full conversation with José. Not to mention Jonas is portrayed as super clumsy and like he never pays attention. I couldn’t really connect with either character and frankly, life is too short for that. So I’ll pass on this and hope my next is better for me.

[Mélanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Jonas, a gentle giant, and José, a shorter feisty tattooed-covered man. They are total opposites in appearance but were both looking for the same thing — a relationship with companionship, love and affection.

Jonas (my cupcake fairy 🥰) was such a great character. He was shy and struggled to approach José in the beginning of the book to ask him out, but he wasn’t afraid to voice his needs and being vulnerable once the connection between them was established. He was forced back in the closet at a young age and struggled to come back out because of his fears of repercussions on the relationship between his family.

José protected himself by projecting a strong and tough exterior because of his difficult upbringing, but he was so kind and just wanted to put good out in the world.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cuddles, intimacy and chemistry between the characters. Highly recommend.

**I received an advanced copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts**

[Zoë Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounded like a great, fresh, idea for a book about real people, (I'm a little tired of athletes, and bazillionaires at the moment), and I was excited to read a cute, opposites attract, story about a couple of nurses, with somewhat traumatic pasts, that despite all odds forge a relationship together.

Unfortunately, the execution of this particular book made this amazing romance almost unreadable. I very nearly DNF'd it at 17%, which, wildly, is before the actual story starts. Talk about slow burn, this was very nearly no burn. The first several chapter consist entirely of Jonah and José's respective traumas during their teenage years. Not only was it hard to slog through, but I would have much preferred to learn about it naturally through the present-day characters revealing the sources of their hurt and how they shaped and influenced the men they are today.

Pacing was a real issue the whole way through. The first couple chapters during their meet cute/becoming acquainted phase were almost painful to read due to Jonah's awkwardness, from both perspectives. It would have been nice to see him being competent at his job or at ease with his mentor at the clinic or something instead of as only a clumsy, stuttering, pining mess for another 17% of the book. For those keeping track at home that's more than 30% of the book devoted to getting the characters to the point of having a real conversation.

This is the point the story starts to get good and I began enjoying myself. I loved how they were with each other, how they communicated so well their wants and desires, the sexy times were spicy and helped build the relationship and I found myself quite invested in the side storyline of José's neighbours, Felix and Sofia.

Just as things were looking up they took a nosedive after Jonah introduces José to his family as his boyfriend and his homophobic brother behaves in a homophobic manner. I almost threw in the towel in response to Jonah's defense of his brother, since it caressed the line of unforgivable to me and I found myself in the strange position, 70% of the way into the book, of no longer rooting for them, but wanting to know that José got his HEA.

Of course they get back together without nearly as much grovelling as I felt was necessary but, c'est la vie, we're almost to the end, when all hell breaks loose as José's past resurfaces and is quickly tied up in a neat bow.

Oh, and did you know homophobic brothers be homophobic for reasons? Gag.

Surprise! This book is related to another in the author's world, which doesn't hugely impact it's readability, it absolutely stands alone. I did find it a little odd that she essentially ruined/retold that other book here, but meh.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Jonas the gentle giant meets (officially) José for the first time I wouldn't say it was exactly love at first sight but it starts with a bang and a slightly annoyed José! 😂

Even though they have totally opposite personalities and physiques, they still fit together beautifully… 🥰🥰

They were looking for the same thing and both wanted a serious and lasting relationship.

I really liked how José was understanding towards Jonas but always showing him that it was important to be himself…

And Jonas (aka the cupcake fairy🧁) was so sensitive, sweet and loving all the time! I just love him! 😍

They were really good together and I really enjoyed reading their story!


⚠️ Check the TW


🩺 Size difference
🩺 Frenemies to lovers
🩺 Small top/big bottom
🩺 Interracial relationship
🩺 Opposites attract
🩺 Medical
🩺 Gentle giant


Favorite quotes:

His smile was sunshine, warming my heart and soul.

We weren't going to be some whirlwind romance where we were swept off each other's feet. I could feel Jonas turning into one of those steady, reliable, comfortable blankets you never wanted to let go of. The kind of relationship where you learned and grew together along with a love that was hard to break.

"Always be you, Jonas. Don't let others tell you who you should be. Ever.
Society doesn't get to tell you that. Never try to fit into their mold. You'd never fit."

[read•me•romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Healer// Knights of Boston #1 // Courtney W. Dixon

ARC Review
Release Date: 4/15

The Healer, features a romance between two nurses at the same clinic. Sweet gentle giant Jonas, has the cutest fumbling crush on shorter but tough and fiery, José. What follows between these characters is a mature and passionate romance. These characters are in their 30s and you can feel their maturity and appreciation for each other in a beautiful way. And when it burns, it BURNS 🥵. Expect delicious dirty talk and explosive chemistry. The drama feels real and is well explained through a rich history, not just added in for action. Overall, you get an in depth look at two grown men with troubled pasts overcoming their obstacles for a love that’s real. Highly recommend for a genuine and passionate read.

💙💙💙💙💙

⏰ Rich history-past and present
🐻 Giant sweet teddy bear closeted MC
😈 Short tattooed tough guy MC w/ troubled past
💖 Interracial couple
💜Hurt / comfort
🩺 Colleagues
🧁 All the fumbling nervous gestures
💙 Family themes
🎢 Action / drama

🔥 tags:
🔥Size difference
🔥Smaller dominant top/ bigger eager bottom
🔥José’s dirty talk…like omg all the dirty talk 🤤
🔥Semi-public 🌶️ (no actual audience)


✅Yes, book has listed trigger warning

[Danna Iuliana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I barely finished this book. The premise was great but the execution was poor. Both MC s were so bland, Jonas was supposed to be a gentle giant but came off as a giant coward, he had no fight or spirit to him. Jose was overcompensating by being a tough macho man. Why do author think its cute to have the MC bare similar names, it s annoying and confusing at times.
I like role reversel & vulnerable characters, but these 2 were caricatures. It s like the author had the right idea but couldn't express it. Their sexy talk was cheesy as heck.
It didn't help that the book has a lot of telling and little dialog which is not endearing in any way, it makes u more disconnected to the characters. It s the type of story that takes forever to get started and then resolves everything in 1 chapter. The bad guy dies, the brothers see the error of their ways out of the blue and the MC s get married, bam, the end.
This is not an author I will be revisiting.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolute brilliant start to a new series; my heart has soared and my stomach has plummeted. It is a definite roller coaster of a story!
Jonas is living in perpetual misery. Huge in stature but a complete introvert; timid and gentle. To know you don't have the support of your own father and brothers has a huge impact on how he sees his self worth. He chooses to hide his true self, which is killing him from the inside out. When he literally bumps into José he becomes a bumbling mess. Jonas is just so adorable, in the words of José "who f# wouldn't love Jonas?". The relationship gets going and they create a close bond quickly which I'm sure is because they are both completely honest with each other about what they want out of their relationship and what they have been through. There are a lot of hot and steamy scenes, and lots of locked cupboard encounters, which always adds to the excitement. Despite how quickly these two fall for each other there is a huge drama that absolutely floored me. I really couldn't understand Jonas' decision at first. The story gets back on track only to have a devastating turn of events. Suddenly this story goes from sweet cupcake encounters to absolute heart wrenching drama, I wasn't prepared. The epilogue is 2 years later and was truly a welcome happy ever after. The secondary characters added a lot more to the narrative, I loved the female members of Jonas' family, they were his cheerleaders, along with his younger brother. I also liked Felix' characters he definitely bought another dynamic to the story. I look forward to where this new series goes. I received an advance review copy for free, and Ieaving this review voluntarily.

[caffeinated.crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I just finished up The Healer by Courtney W. Dixon, and it wasn't at all what I was expecting.

Jonas is a gentle kind thoughtful sweetheart of man. His sweet spirit is nestled in a giant body. But being shy and quiet leaves him not very good at standing up for himself. He's got homophobes in his family [his brother(s) and father] and being a tall/ripped black man has people often times thinking he's cold and unapproachable.

He loves being a nurse, and has lived in the closet most of his life, a people pleaser to the end.

But after a workplace meet-ugly he meets the man of his dreams. José is tatted firecracker of a man, and really wishes people would (a.)stop complaining about his short stature and (b) stop sending him dick pics.

Basically, after the workplace shenanigans, both guys have their own baggage to sift through while trying to [redacted]. When ghosts of the past come into play, will José and Jonas make it?

Spoiler, not spoiler: obviously they do. Hooray!

I liked this story a lot, but I had a hard time with Jonas' reaction to Anton at the family dinner. I get where he was coming from, honestly, but damn.

All in all, I definitely recommend. Loved the Felix and Sophia aspect, the Santino storyline was [🫨] and overall, I'm just glad that Jonas and José got the love they both deserved.

The Healer releases Saturday, if you're wanting surprise drama, don't miss it! Also features interracial relationship, size difference, gun violence, mentions of the mafia, gang references and cupcakes.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start off by seeing Jonas and José when they are teens. I really enjoyed getting to see them and what they went through before they met as adults. I recommend that you check your trigger warning before diving into this emotional journey. Both of these men are passionate, caring, and are looking for the right partner for life. They have a lot of healing and growth during this story. I loved the courage that Jonas gets from José. But it is definitely not an easy road for either of them. Jonas struggles with his dad and brothers not supporting him. I absolutely loved seeing José take Felix and Sofia in and start building a family with them.


This story is filled with loss, love, friendship, passion, growth, and healing. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for us. This is my second book by Courtney W. Dixon, and it won't be my last. This story is so full of emotion, and when reading it, you can just feel it pulling at you from each page.



I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Thalia (itssinceslicedbread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonas and Josè cannot be more different. Size. Culture. Family. But when their jobs as nurses at a clinic bring them together, they slowly realize how compatible they are.

This book has everything: cupcakes, found family, nurses, betrayal, and lots and lots of spice

This book had a lot of my favorite tropes. While it was technically an enemies to lovers, I think there was also an instalove between these two. I loved how caring and tender they were from the get go, and their chemistry was amazing! Lots and lots of pining! While there were a lot of complicated factors, I appreciate that their actual relationship had minimal toxicity and they had good communication and boundaries.

🌶️ This book is a 4/5 level spice, and I felt like it tied in well with the plot. It didn’t feel too forced or out of character for them.

I loved how this book had different depictions of family and what a family can be.

I can’t wait to read the second book!

Check TW’s before you read this one!

Thank you Chanel Johnson PA and Courtney W. Dixon for the digital ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Amanda]

DNF @37%

This should have been a home run for me . Mixed raced couple , Bi rep, size difference. It started off strong with young Jonas breaking my heart. Then sort of went down hill from there. The writing seemed juvenile and the longer I read the more the internal dialogues seemed repetitive and the dialogue didn't flow for me .

[Kayla Oaks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg courtney did it again!!!!! Absolutely LOVED this story!!!! I also loved how she brought characters into the book that were from other ones.

This book is about heartbreak, loss, and overcoming your fears and walking right into love. Highly recommend!!!

[Heather Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle giant and a short feisty tattooed man who both have had their own seperate struggles. There's so many complex emotions in this book that it was definitely a roller coaster. I laughed and cried and cried some more. Beautiful love story with some drama, some spice, and a happy ending. Can't wait for the next book in this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is my first read by Courtney W Dixon and I really enjoyed it. Brilliant story to start the series of. Looking forward to what's next.

[❀ Jess ( Semi hiatus )]

Note to self: didn’t care enough to read the last chapter 🙈

[Barbara]

Kompletnie nie podeszła mi ta książka językowo.

DNF @ 50%

[Marian. · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

The way I like this story? I tell you that I cried, fell in love, laughed, cried again... it was a roller coaster of emotions.

The story of José and Jonas will undoubtedly stay with me forever. Can I reread this book even if I finished it yesterday? because it was so heartbreakingly beautiful that wow, it starts out a bit dark and that's what marks the present for this couple, it deals with serious issues such as homophobia, bullying, death, among others (the complete list can be found inside the book) I cried a lot for Jonas from the beginning and I continued like this until the end and Jose with the biggest heart there can be. The first meeting of these two makes me laugh, a giant nurse who is all shy bumps into a small but sexy nurse and from there the tension between these two begins.

Without a doubt, a story full of ups and downs, full of moments so endearing that I recommend reading with some handkerchiefs, a little dark, but with characters that stay with you forever.

🫂thank you @cwdixonauthor for gave me this arc in exchange for my honest review 📚!!

_____________________________

¿la manera en la me gusto esta historia? les digo que llore, me enamore, me reí, volví a llorar… fue una montaña rusa de emociones.

La historia de José y Jonas sin duda alguna se quedará conmigo para siempre ¿ya puedo releer este libro aun cuando lo termine ayer? porque fue tan desgarradoramente hermosa que wow, empieza un poco oscura y es lo que nos marca el presente de este par, trata de temas serios como la homofobia, bullying, muerte, entre otros (la lista completa la encuentran dentro del libro) lloré mucho por Jonas desde el principio y asi segui hasta el final y José con el corazón más grande que puede haber. El primer encuentro de estos dos me causo risa, un enfermero gigante todo tímido se tropieza con un pequeño pero sexy enfermero y de allí empieza la tensión entre estos dos.

Sin duda alguna una historia llena de altos y bajos, llena de momentos tan entrañables que les recomiendo leer con algunos pañuelos, un poquito oscura, pero con personajes que se quedan contigo siempre.

[A.E. Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how you follow an author for a while and then it happens? The moment where everything comes together and just clicks?

The Healer is that moment for me. I absolutely loved this book by Courtney 💙🙏🏻 It is without comparison her best book yet.

It really suits this author to move on from the late teen/early twenties MCs and write about a more mature relationship. There’s a vulnerability to this book, which really spoke to me.

This is by no means an angst-free read, but I really loved that it was more subtle in its approach to dealing with the problems which Jonas & José face in their love story.

Here are things that stood out:
💙 The whole size difference trope was so sweet, fun and steamy 💋❤️‍🔥
💙 The coming-out-of-the-closet trope was believable and well-executed. I love that it wasn’t overly dramatized but realistic
💙 The two MCs were adorable, well-developed, Fierce and the relationship was so believable and endearing. I completely fell for these guys 💗
💙 The hurt/comfort element was amazing! Loved the dynamic between the MCs and their found family.
💙 Both MCs were hot AF and the size difference smut was addictive 💋❤️‍🔥🌶️

So, here we go:
Plot: 💙💙💙💙💙
Steam: 🌶️🌶️
Angst: 🥺🥺🥺
Swoon: 🫠🫠🫠🫠

Bonus points: Courtney really stepped it up on the writing this time! Again, it really suits this author with this age-group. I loved the dialogue and the fact that she cut back on the internal monologue. All in all, a coherent and strong book 💙🙏🏻

Can’t wait for the next in this Series!

*I rcvd an ARC from the author and this is my honest review 💙🙏🏻

[Savy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like slow burn and a sweet couple, this might be the book for you!

Unfortunately, that person wasn't me. I felt like the book started very slowly, first giving us a lot of information about José's and Jonas' history, their childhood and growing up. After that, we get a lot of internal struggles and musings, making the story kind of drag on. Not much is happening and when it does, it's kind of predictable and no real surprise.
Another point that really bothered me, was the amount of information that got repeated. I get this book is a spin-off from another series, but I'm a smart reader and if you mention something once, I don't need it stuffed in my face for three more times. To me, this repetition took a lot out of the flow of the story.

Don't get me wrong, José and Jonas are really cute together and they seem like the perfect couple. Sometimes they fit so perfectly, it's kind of unbelievable, but it's fine since this is a romance story.

Every chapter is told through either José's or Jonas' POV, which I liked, since we get to know both characters really well.

Overall, this was not a bad story, not by any way! It just wasn't a story for me. But like I said, if you like a slow burn, a ridiculously sweet couple and an easy read, please give this book a change.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow it’s like a whole other author wrote this one versus “all roads lead to you.” My god this had so many grammatical or syntactical errors which made it offensive confusing to read and what is said is definitely not what you would hear anyone say in real life, ever. Extremely in need of an editor. Revise the whole thing. I gave up at 71% when he brings him to meet his family. I tried a few times before to stop but I kept convincing myself there might be redeeming qualities. Nope.

Also does the author know absolutely nothing about foster care or adoption? No way would those kids just randomly go to a neighbor after zero checks whatsoever. This book made me so angry with how unbelievable and badly written it is.

[Jordan Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Healer” is my first read by Courtney W. Dixon and I am HOOKED! This story is one about self-discovery, self-acceptance, and true unwavering love and it was so, so beautiful. The story of Jose and Jonas takes place in the world of the Irish mob in Boston at The Clinic and it picks up after the Kings of Boston series as a sub-series. These two characters have been introduced in KOB (Jose more so than Jonas) but you don’t have to read KOB to understand the story because Dixon sets us up really well to be immersed in the lives of the MMCs. They are both nurses at an Irish mob funded clinic that helps the less fortunate (and of course the mob 🤐) and this is where they are reintroduced to each other and their story begins.

We meet Jonas as a young boy discovering his sexuality and contemplating coming out to his family. But when he asks if he can go to a school dance with a boy, he does not receive the reaction he was looking for and instead of walking out the closet happily, he shrinks back in and closes the door tight. A few years down the the road, Jonas wants to work and when he runs into a doctor working a mobile medical clinic helping the less fortunate, he discovers his calling — the medical field to help make a difference in the world. Jose is introduced to us on the WORST night of his life — his house is burning to the ground with his parents inside. He’s from the wrong side of the tracks where gang violence is a way of life and his parents death was no accident. His best friend, Santiago, who he has liked forever, comforts him in his time of need but not the way Jose needs. Weeks after his parents funeral, Jose’s grandmother hears of the arrest of Santiago and that he’s going to jail for murder. Jose is WRECKED and now has to figure out how to survive a life with three of the most important people in his life gone. He ends up in the medical field later in life and begins work at The Clinic. This is where our MMCs are reintroduced to one another and their love story blossoms… Jonas has stumbled into Jose’s life quite literally and as annoying as that is, there is an attraction to one another that is undeniable. What happens when Jonas takes a leap of faith and asks Jose out? Will Jose have the strength to accept and support Jonas through anything? Will love conquer all or burn their lives to the ground?

I read this book in one sitting and after it was over I wanted to start again. The relationship between Jose and Jonas is hard, interracial and different heights, but I am obsessed with them and their total acceptance and love of one another. Dixon does a great job of setting up the background and development of these two characters who both struggled with their sexuality when they were young — harsh realities of potentially losing family over preferences or losing best friends because of a secret crush. My heart broke for Jonas and the way his coming our story unfolded and for Jose who lost everything as a child. Their hardships are something that pulls them together and they fit together like two puzzle pieces. These two go THROUGH IT but Dixon built the story for them to overcome all else and to always find their way back to one another.

Yes it’s a beautiful love story and I live for Jose and Jonas but HOLY PLOT TWISTS! The twists and turns on this roller coaster had me visually shocked, eyes wide, verbal gasps. I was very here for it! I love to be kept guessing and not know where the plot is going to take me. 💥There is a HEA (and I LOVE IT) but I do advise if you have any triggers dealing with the treatment of the LGBTQ community or domestic violence to read the trigger warnings thoroughly because “The Healer” is not all rainbows and sunshine on the road to the HEA.💥

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 3/5🌶️

Tropes:
🧁 Opposites attract
🧁 Frenemies to lovers
🧁 Medical romance
🧁 Interracial MM relationship
🧁 Found family
🧁 Dual POV

Triggers:
💥 Drug/alcohol use
💥 Extreme Bullying
💥 Gang/mafia violence
💥 Murder scenes
💥 Assault against LGBTQ MMC
💥 Parental death

[DeniReadsMostlyMM · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC Review***

This is my honest review for the ARC I received.

This book definitely has some wild and angsty moments, but it’s a memorable read.

José and Jonas both work as nurses at the same clinic (funded by the Irish mob). They (literally) collide into one another when José temporarily switches from the night shift to the day shift.

Jonas is back in the closet after his attempt to come out when he was 13 years old goes horribly wrong. Jonas is a gentle giant. He’s the sweetest, most empathetic soul. It was really hard seeing how lonely he was while trying to appease some of his family members.

José has no family. His parents died in a house fire when he was 15. His best friend is convicted of murder and sent off to prison. The grandmother that raised him after his parents died has also passed on. José is there for a couple of neighborhood kids who have a neglectful father. Felix and Sofia are good kids.

Despite José finding Jonas’ clumsiness annoying at first, the pair have a perfect first date and start a relationship. These MCs are vastly different, but they are made for each other. I appreciated their size difference and personality differences. It was also really nice to see an interracial couple represented.

A major source of conflict in this novel is whether or not Jonas will come back out of the closet. He cares for José, but Jonas’ family means everything to him. José knows his worth and doesn’t want to be a secret, but he’s willing to give Jonas the benefit of the doubt and a bit of patience, since Jonas has no qualms about being open in public - just around his family.

Jonas’s brother Anton causes a rift between the couple. Anton has a disturbing and aggressive reaction to Jonas’s second coming out attempt. Anton is a piece of work. His past experiences don’t excuse his actions. I didn’t find him likable or redeemable at all. I was glad when Jonas finally stood up to him. I understood José’s refusal to forgive him.

Everything with José’s best friend Santino was intense. Some parts just left me wondering why.

The MCs go through an intense and emotional journey, but they are stronger for it. Despite everything the couple goes through, they are able to achieve their HEA. The epilogue is sweet. I’m interested to see where the rest of the series will go.

Be mindful of the author’s Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the book. Some warnings might be spoilers. There’s homophobia, violence, racism, abuse, attempted murder, murder, teen drinking and smoking.

[Jenn ReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
José and Jonas… A great start to a new series.

José’s family was murdered when he was 15. He went from thinking they’d died in a house fire, to finding out they’d been murdered to finding out that his best friend at the time (in jail for a different crime) may have had something to do with it. José could have fallen by the wayside, found himself on the wrong side of the tracks and taken the same route into crime that his best friend did. However, he was raised by his grandmother, and she raised him to do and be better. José is now a nurse, working at a clinic that aims to help those less fortunate. That it’s owned by the Irish mob is neither here nor there. José wants to settle down with someone he loves in the house his grandmother left him that he’s been busy renovating, but he’s sure that the bumbling Jonas at work isn’t that guy.

Jonas’ large family weren’t 100% on his side when he came out when he was in high school, one of his older brothers was particularly unpleasant about it. Now Jonas hides who he truly is to keep the peace because family is everything to him. He occasionally comes out of the closet to have an itch scratched, but it’s basically been him and his hand for 18 lonely years. Meeting fellow nurse José at work makes Jonas long to step back out of the closet and bring José to meet his family. However, he’d have to stop bugging José with his presence before he can even think of trying for a happy ever after of his own.

When both José and Jonas’ pasts come back to haunt them, can these two nurses find their way to the end of their personal stories and start writing theirs together or will their tragic first chapters keep them from healing one another’s hearts, minds and souls?

I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is honest and unpaid. The purchase of the paperback was paid for on my own and done voluntarily.
The Healer
Courtney W. Dixon

[Wissal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This book was really good overall. I genuinely enjoyed the plot — it was interesting and refreshing. This book contains, an interracial couple representation (Latino x Black MC). I loved seeing that dynamic, and I especially loved the height difference between them.

The book was advertised as a larger bottom and smaller top, and technically that’s true — but it’s more accurate to say they’re both versatile. The shorter MC is verse, but prefers to top, and the larger MC is verse, but prefers to bottom, but they did switch. Personally, I love versatile couples, so that worked really well for me.

That said, definitely read the trigger warnings. There’s racism and quite a bit of homophobia in this book, so if those themes are hard for you to read about, keep that in mind.

The reason I’m not giving this five stars — even though I did enjoy it — is mainly because of the adoption storyline. I love that Jose adopted the kids. It shows what a good person he is. But once the kids were introduced, I felt like a lot of the romance took a backseat. They’re already nurses with busy schedules and barely have time for each other, and adding children made it even harder for them to actually be together. I just missed some of that focused romantic development.

I also felt like they started dating a little too fast. It almost felt too realistic — like something that would genuinely happen in real life. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I personally read romance for the heightened, slightly unrealistic love stories — the intensity, the buildup, the emotional complexity. I wanted more of that.

Still, their relationship was so cute. I adored the way José calls Jonas “cupcake” and “cupcake fairy,” and how he holds him and thinks of him as his big baby. Those soft moments really sold their connection.

And honestly, I have mixed feelings about Santino. I feel bad for José for having him as a friend sometimes, but I also feel bad for Santino himself. It felt like he was just a kid who got dragged down the wrong path.

Overall, a really solid read with great representation, a sweet dynamic, and some elements I personally wish had been handled a bit differently. Definitely worth checking out — just go in knowing what to expect.