New York City Vice Detective Evan Cerelli has lost his wife, the only person he ever loved and slept with. He’s trying to get on with his life, build a life for his children. Former Homicide Detective Matt Haight is a ladies’ man, all sex/no commitment. He’s depressed, having a midlife crisis, and not sure where his life is headed.
The two find friendship in the bottom of a shared bottle. When the friendship turns to love, it shakes two straight men to the core and flips their lives inside out. Kids, families, careers that are not gay-friendly — can all the love in the world overcome the obstacles to faith and fidelity?
The story begins with Evan and his devastation directly after his wife’s death but the story quickly moves us to approximately 1 year later. Evan is still just as crushed as he was and is not doing well. At a retirement party for a fellow cop Evan meets Matt. Matt was on the NY police force but at one point had turned in dirty cops. This had been the beginning of the end for Matt as he went from an NYPD Homicide Detective to a beat cop on Staten Island. He was currently working for a coporate security firm and hating every minute of his life. He was miserable in his job choice and his personal life. When Even reaches out a friendly hand to him at his old partner’s retirement party Matt more or less grabs on and doesn’t let go. But it turns out to be a mutual lifeline for both men.
Matt and Evan start meeting at a bar to drown their sorrows and speak to each other about things they had never spoken to anyone before. Matt about how he misses being on the force and the changes in his life and Evan about his wife Sherri and all he missed about her. Not necessarily a healthy relationship between the two men but something they both really needed at the time. Things are going along fine until Matt starts having erotic dreams about Evan. He’s not quite sure how to handle things and is afraid he’ll show his feelings and lose Evan’s friendship. But when Matt does admit his growing feelings he finds that Evan’s feeling the same way.
The relationship between the two men changes from a friendship to a friendship as well as a sexual relationship. The sex between the two is hot and steamy but since this is all new territory for them it’s a bit awkward as well. It actually made for very tender moments between the two men. But there are other issues that have to be dealt with in this new relationship. Evan’s job, his in-laws, his 4 children and the men’s relationship takes a huge hit.
I won’t tell you any more because I just don’t want to give anything else away if you haven’t already read the story. It was a very emotional read for me in so many ways. The dynamic between the two men was wonderful as much as it was heart wrenching. Matt’s relationship with Evan’s kids was lovely to see and something that I was very glad was a focus in the book. The only thing that bothered me, I think, was the fact that Evan focused at one point about his in-laws and how they would react to him being with another man – especially since they weren’t real thrilled with him after their daughters death. But in the end I don’t think that was dealt with to my satisfaction. The book showed us Evan dealing/talking with his kids and his sister-in-law, but not his m-i-l and f-i-l. I have to say that was my only issue with the story.
Overall a wonderful book about new love, new life and all of the ups and downs, ins and out that it brings. I highly recommend this story to any who haven’t already read it.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
It was a great read Tracy. I really enjoyed it. I would have liked to see the in-laws taken down a peg or two but I guess we assume they deal with it eventually. Love and Loyalty which deals with the secondary character James is very good as well.
Yup, you caught the niggle, too. But, oh, I got sucked in and cried both times I've read this book.
I loved this book too! I was emotionally involved as well, very much! 🙂
Maybe the niggle of how his in-laws deal with the relationship will be part of the sequel Duty & Devotion that is planned to be released in March.
Great review 😀
Tam – I agree. They were such asses to him, like he hadn't lost anything. I wanted to jump into my ereader and knock Evan's f-i-l out!
I have Love and Loyalty and will be reading it soon.
Chris – I didn't cry but I did have a huge pain in my heart, literally, at several points during the book.
Janna – Oh goodie! A direct sequel – I love those. Thanks for the heads up! I love seeing how things are after a book ends, now I'll get to.
This is one of my fave books too. It was such a terrific read.
I've had this book on my top tier Amazon wishlist for a while now. The concept just sounded like such an interesting twist on the "Gay for You" trope because it involves two straight men and the Amazon reviews all mention how awkward, clumsy, and non-porn star their sexual experiments are with other. I'm so glad you reviewed it and liked it!
I liked this one a lot and can't wait for the sequel. The in-laws were the only part I didn't like about this story.
I've got this one but haven't read it yet. I guess I need to get on it, it's gotten some great reviews!
Kris – yep – just good stuff.
Bev – I obviously have no idea how 2 straight me that find each other attracted to one another sexually would act but I think this was probably a really close portrayal. I was very much enmeshed in the story the entire time.
Lily – Now that I know there's a sequel I can't wait either! 🙂
Patty – Oh move it closer to the top of the pile – it's so good!
Sounds way too intriguing! Must buy it… like now!
Maija I hope you like it!
OK, between your review Tracy and the comments I'm definitely keen to read this. I'm a sucker for an emotional book 🙂
Orannia – it's really great – I think you'll like it a lot.
The sequel to F&F comes out March 23!
it eventually. Love and Loyalty which deals with the secondary character James is very good as well.
your healthy choice
I also really liked this book – I am now eagerly awaiting the third one in the series..
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