Warning – this does have minor spoilers in it.
Picking pockets and stealing cars, Adam Reyes does what he must to survive. Working Chicago’s O’Hare airport, he feels pretty confident when he spots his next mark.
Security expert Rhone Quinn can’t believe the wiry kid who grabs his cell phone almost gets away with it. Logic says turn the teen over to the cops, but Rhone is a man who trusts his instincts, and his gut tells him to offer the young man a job and a chance to begin a new life. Little does Rhone know that when he makes that choice it will forever change his life, too.
Over the years that follow a mentor relationship turns into a unique, abiding friendship. It eventually leads to true equality between Rhone and Adam when Adam becomes a full partner in Quinn Security. Unbeknownst to Rhone, as time passes by, Adam is also falling deeply in love. With Rhone. Who isn’t gay. And who doesn’t know that Adam is.
Then, one day, Rhone discovers the truth. Will Rhone’s new awareness of Adam’s feelings bind the men together even more intimately, or tear them apart for good?
The blurb pretty much tells the gist of the story so I’ll try not to go into it too much.
Adam has these deep unrequited feelings for Rhone. Rhone has been his mentor and best friend for 10 years and they seem to have a great bond between the two of them. But with Rhone not being gay Adam would rather suffer in silence and watch Rhone go through life with women than ruin their friendship and tell Rhone how he feels.
The beginning of this story was wonderful. Rhone’s meeting Adam the way he did, bringing him into his business and their wonderful friendship had the makings of an excellent story. I was completely sucked into Adam’s plight and wanted so desperately for him to tell Rhone his feelings and I just knew that had Adam told Rhone, Rhone would sit and discuss it with him and then examine his feelings. Rhone had a certain possessive feeling toward Adam so I had no doubt that Rhone would accept him. But other players in the story – namely Rhone’s brother Canin and their other partner, Kasey, had other ideas about how these two men should be together.
Kasey brought Adam to the office and did what she had apparently been doing to Adam for about a year – and that was basically satisfying his sexual need – but with a dildo. Rhone, thinking he had a meeting at the office, walked into this scene and freaked – that possessiveness showing through – and kicked Kasey out of the office so that he and Adam could talk. (I have to tell you that I honestly thought this was dream sequence while it was happening. I paged forward thinking that Adam was going to wake up and it was not reality because it just seemed so odd. I was more than stunned when I realized this was where the book was going.) What ensued was not what I expected at all. Instead of only a discussion, it was a discussion and sexfest. Rhone jumped right in to sex with Adam and then examined how he was feeling and I couldn’t help but think that what started out as a fabulous story lost more than a little something with that. Yes, feelings were accepted – but almost too easily for my liking. That is explained with Rhone’s thoughts and feelings about Adam (which were incredibly sweet and tender) but I didn’t finish the book thinking that Adam was confident in their relationship.
So while I didn’t love the second part of the book I did love the first part. I have to say that it was a well written book though and I did love her characters. I will be reading book 2 in this series to see what happens with Kasey and Canin.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
I've had this one in my TBR for ages. One day I'll get to it, I'm sure. 🙂
Great review!
Yeah, the whole dildo scene was totally wtf?! I think the book would've been loads better if something else had gotten them together.
What a weird way to do it and with a woman no less. I think I'll skip this one although I think there are more in the series surrounding the … whatever, business they have. Security or what not. Too bad it didn't hold up to it's early promise.
Lily – You'll have to let me know what you think when you do.
Chris – That was just so bizarre. As I said I thought it was a dream sequence it was just so surreal.
Tam – The woman played such a minor roll and she was fully dressed! lol The first part of the book was so wonderful it was too bad it went downhill. But still a pretty good story.
In some ways, it was more disappointing because the first part was so good. Actually, right up until Rhone walked into the office, I loved it! It almost felt like the story got to that pt, then the author had to wrap it all up in the last scene. I've been debating on whether to continue with the series. I really liked the writing & characters, despite the last part. I wasn't left with great feelings about Kasey. Maybe I'll wait and see what you say about bk 2. 😛
I didn't particularly like the second book – girl cooties, plus not that excited about Kasey. I definitely liked book 3 more than book 2.
That's disappointing, Tracy. The second part would have spoiled the whole book for me. Great review. 😉
Tracy where do you get all you m/m books?
Renee – You're right – it was disappointing because the first part was so good. I'll definitely let you know how I feel about book 2. 🙂
Chris – I like Canin but yeah, not thrilled about Kasey so far. I might like her in book 2 though…since I don't have a problem with girl cooties. lol
Hilcia – For me it was almost like reading 2 different books – weird.
I Heart BG – Normally I buy them at All Romance ebooks but get some from publishers as well depending on the book.
I read this for my 24 hour challenge and I loved loved the first part ..
The second part came totally out of left field for me..
The guys were fun to know – that was one of the only redeeming things about this book..
E.H>
I had problems with this one to. I've really enjoyed some of her other work, but this one didn't fire for me.
To borrow EH's phrase – the whole office scene does seem rather out of left field.. Hmm, perhaps not the book to try this author…
Thank you Tracy – great review!
Eh – I completely agree – it was so out of the blue. Like I said, I thought it was a dream sequence cuz I was just sure it couldn't actually be happening.
Sarah – Good to know. I'll have to see what I can find.
Orannia – It really is too bad that the book changed so drastically as I thought the first part of the book was wonderful.