Jaxon wakes up in a bed in an unfamiliar house, informed by a rugged lighthouse keeper, Max, that he washed up on the shore. With no recollection of wJaxon wakes up in a bed in an unfamiliar house, informed by a rugged lighthouse keeper, Max, that he washed up on the shore. With no recollection of who he is, where he came from, or how he happened to find his way to Hope Harbor, Jaxon is grateful for the shelter that the aloof Max offers to him. As the days pass with no hits from the sheriff’s department, no news of missing persons, and no return of his memory, Jaxon tries to make the best of his new assumed life, starting with trying to befriend Max who appears to have demons that keep him at an arm’s length. The more that Jaxon learns of the good in Max, the more he finds himself wanting to be in his arms.
A beautiful story of two men navigating uniquely different struggles who find the missing pieces of their souls in each other. Ough’s mastery of grief and internal struggles shines through in a touching, somber honesty that makes you feel what her characters are feeling. I’ve seen readers say a book “was everything”, but hadn’t experienced one until now—steam, sorrow, humor, joy, love, and pain; His Guiding Light runs the gamut of emotions. The handling of Max’s struggle to understand his demisexuality was incredibly touching and done with such care. I adored how the amnesia element to this story allowed Jaxon to discover things about himself that he may not have been able to learn otherwise in his previous life. It’s stupid-grin worthy book when you find yourself thinking there isn’t anyone else perfect enough for the MCs but each other. Hope Harbor will stay in my mind as a happy place I can visit while I impatiently wait for Gage’s story. That man is a hilarious handful, so I can’t wait to discover who can tame, tolerate, and love him....more
A former fighter and now private security guard is requested to train a motivated young MMA hopeful in this sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud dual aA former fighter and now private security guard is requested to train a motivated young MMA hopeful in this sweet, poignant, and laugh-out-loud dual awakening romance.
Max just gets through his reclusive days and knee pain, serving as his found family's driver and security guard. When he's asked to train a young man who has MMA championship aspirations, he reluctantly agrees. After meeting the enigmatic Romero Ruiz, cocky and full of smiles, his reluctance turns into intrigue when he sees Romero's potential and spirit. Soon, training isn't just a new distraction for Max but time that both straight men find they crave as it keeps them in each other's company, filling their time away from each other with new confusing thoughts.
This was such a realistic discovery interlaced with comical awakening-bungling between two athletic 'bros' who hadn't yet found their 'person' until they crashed into each other. I love how their passion fueled them to bravely tackle the unknown of pleasing each other, but always resulted in beautiful heartfelt moments. They gave each other shit as much as they exhibited care for one another. And their steam was raw and unleashed, the kind of verbal unloading that reveals all of the heart's secrets. I adored watching 'Rome' and Max grow deeper in love.
Their HEA was brilliant, showing how love can change the course of any ship, which made their need for each other all the more endearing. I'm now fully invested in reading more about Max's found family and a troubled fighter that Rome meets in his travels....more
A year after his husband's death, Julian still doesn't know how to move on with his life. When his precocious friend, NCharming love after loss romcom
A year after his husband's death, Julian still doesn't know how to move on with his life. When his precocious friend, Nora, gives him a nudge, he texts James' number to release some of his grief. When unsuspecting Liam gets the message, he's intrigued and replies. Soon he and "Jules" are texting on the regular and become the best part of each other's days. I love the realness of this book - how friends tell us things we don't want to hear, how some people just fit and compliment that need inside of us, and how it's okay to laugh during the healing process. A highly entertaining and fun escape from reality. ...more