Dreamspinner Presents
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5988
Blurb
Home on compassionate leave for his brother’s funeral, Navy SEAL Garrison Matthews needs to blow off a lot of stress and grief before he returns to active duty. In honor of his brother, he takes Bettie, the brothers’ souped-up vintage truck, out for a spin. A bit of an adrenaline junkie, Garrison has no problem finding trouble. This time trouble’s named Walt, and he happens to be Garrison’s sister-in-law’s brother.
Neither man expects their fun to amount to anything else, but after an injury sends Garrison home for good, he turns to Walt, hoping to start a new life. Walt is a closeted sheriff’s deputy, and while he adores Garrison, he isn’t sure he’s ready to come out… or for such a big commitment. Being fresh out of the service isn’t easy on Garrison either. To find their happy ending, Walt and Garrison must overcome their trust issues and get ready to settle down together.
Review
Garrison meets Walt at Garrison’s brother’s funeral. Walt is Garrison’s brother’s wife’s brother. Phew. Got that?
Basically they are sorta, kinda, in-laws-ish.
Garrison is still a SEAL but he’s out. Walt is a cop, and he’s NOT.
At first they hook up and it’s nothing but letting off steam. But as time moves on, they become closer and closer. Garrison gets out of the military, injured, and Walt lends him a hand his guest room. But when things start to look too “suspicious” to the locals, Walt essentially kicks Garrison out.
Garrison wants more. Walt is worried about his reputation and getting hurt if Garrison dumps him and leaves him “out” and alone.
But when someone nearly dies, things become clear.
**
I really liked this book. There were times when the writing, especially the dialog, got a bit clunky and in the middle of the book I was a bit annoyed with Walt for all his waffling, but overall, I thought it was a good romance and it felt pretty realistic to me.
I liked that the boys communicated like boys. Short sentences. No outpourings of devotion. They were honest about their attraction right from the get-go. I also liked that the “drama” was mostly in Walt’s head, which I also think is realistic. So many times we are our own worst enemy.
The sex was pretty hot and when the “I love yous are exchanged” they felt sincere, if anti-climactic.
The name is a bit of a misnomer – the truck really doesn’t play much into the story, though it is a cute/sentimental part of the story.
PS Any story where the dog gets some page time is a good one! ☺
Writing/Editing 3.5
Romance 4
Sex/Heat 4
Storyline 3.5
World Building/Characterizations 4
Overall 3.8 of 5 hearts
