HEART MURMURFleeing from his existence as an outcast child in a fanatic cult, Finn Masterson makes his way to Los Angeles, only to find an unforgiving city with little prospects for a teenager with few life skills. After years of living on the streets in DTLA, doing anything and everything required to survive, Finn finds a home, a job, and kindness with Saint Jeffrey, who is renovating a grand … who is renovating a grand old building mere blocks from Skid Row. Finn knows better than to trust a good thing, so when harassing texts and calls culminate in threats to the people he has come to care about—especially a former Marine, Miguel Fernandez—Finn returns to the streets to keep those he loves safe. But one single-minded, stubborn warrior brings Finn back into the fold, and they defeat his last remaining enemy giving them the freedom to pursue their forever.
more
Finn is such a good story and such a good example of how hard it can be for people who have been down on their luck to get the purchase they need to move forward. In this story of the fight that Finn and Miguel wage to move forward are well-meaning supporters that give us as readers and this couple hope that they will get where they want to be together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just when you thought the door was closed, the boogeyman slips through. Finn was starting his first day back to Uni and was suffering a little anxiety. He was debating leaving, when Miguel shows up and gives him the needed confidence to walk into the classroom. He was initially wary that his old cult would find him when he requested his transcripts. He rationalized that it had been so long, he was off the radar. A cat followed him home and he was uncertan of his standing with Saint, ready to bargain to let the cat remain. Miguel retired from the Core and took contracting jobs leveraging his SpecOps background. It was a vulnerable time since he and Finn were just getting more deeply acquainted. Finn had a large adjustment period considering his baggage and his circumstances before Finn took him in. Finn and Miguel had to dig deep to find their balance. Then the boogeyman found Finn. They had a very rocky road with a lot of dips and twists. Is he in danger? What about his new family? Where can he hide? Good story. Great storybuilding. Excellent new family. Well done. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not a lengthy read yet is definitely worth the time. Finn is a good character. He’s compassionate and completely in love. The romance is fun to watch mature into a love story while the drama and excitement of his past keeps you turning the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was given a free arc copy from the author for review.
Disclaimer: I did not read book 1 in this series. This is book 2. It can be read as a standalone. I didn’t know the previous relationships the characters had but the story was still easy to follow.
4.5 stars
#mm #shortstory
It is just over 2.5 hours so it was a quick read.
Finn was raised in a doomsday cult that he ran away from when he got into College. He lived on the streets doing whatever he had to do to live for years but now he’s living with Saint who he also works for renovating a building to earn his room and board and cash to live on. Two other men are present. Max who is Saints boyfriend and Miguel an ex army vet who does undercover work for Feds. Finn has feelings for Miguel and Miguel secretly has feelings for him too but won’t admit it out loud. When Finn starts getting threatening texts and his bosses work keeps getting vandalized he decides to go back to the streets to protect the people he cares about. Especially when the only one (Miguel) who he thinks is tough enough to help him is gone out of country on a mission and might never be coming back. However, when Miguel does return and finds out that Finn is gone and based on his behavior while Miguels been away he may be in danger, he makes it his next mission to find Finn, help him and bring the man he loves back home.
I found the story really interesting and it made me want to keep reading to find out what happens. I loved all the characters not just the 2 MCs. It was well written. I felt like the 2 MCs had great chemisty. I loved the old lady too. She was awesome . I have never read anything by this author before but I’ll be sure to read the rest of this series. There were a few inconsistencies and a couple things that made me say why????? But not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story.
The relationship between Finn and Miguel just brought all the feels. They were wonderfully well-written and engaging characters and their story totally drew me in. A great second addition to the Gates of Heaven series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Finn’s story is oh so sweet. You can’t help but love Finn and Miguel. Both clueless and trying to protect each other from each other. But good thing they got over it so that they could both get the happy ending they both deserved. This book was cute and has a great story. I can’t sit to read the next book in the series
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you’ve read book one, you may remember Finn…
Finn Masterson ended up homeless, escaping a cult and on the streets of Los Angeles. He was luck to be found by a man named Saint. Just as broken, but believed in second chances. Now helping to renovate a building back to its former glory, he’s finding his footing in the world, one day and step at a time. Just when he thinks his luck is turning out better, messages persist in the forms of threats to change his outlook and he runs again.
Miguel Fernandez, former marine and the man Finn absolutely loves. Occasionally, he still works for the government. I guess you can’t get it all out of your system. He finds out Finn goes missing while on a mission and become distracted. To a point of becoming injured.
With Finn gone, Miguel realizes how much he means to him and will do everything in his power to make the man his. But, first things first. They work together to put the final demon to rest.
Peace at last for Finn, and HEA for both of them.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
I was pretty sure Finn and Miguel’s story would produce some tears and tickle my heart.
I was not disappointed!
In the previous book, Saint had found Finn on his doorstep. Cold and in need. It resonated with Saint leading him to give Finn the opportunity to make a life for himself.
I figured from the little clues that Finn had a tragic back story. Didn’t know what happened but whatever it was was enough to make him doubt his self-worth and to have him a little fearful of what was behind. Time and reassurances have helped Finn to find his footing. He still waits for the other shoe to drop but for now, he is going with the flow, enjoying the moment and proving to Saint he was worth the gamble.
Finn is a bit nervous about starting school, and it turns out with good reason. Being no stranger to the bullying he tries to ignore the harassing texts and physical confrontations from his classmate. That is until it begins affecting those he cares for. With Miguel gone and Saint upset with him he only has one option to protect those who are threatened because of him.
He returns to the streets.
I adored Finn. He calls to your protective instincts. He radiates an innocence despite knowing he has seen some of the worst humanity has to offer. His all in attitude is one of the things I enjoyed about him. At times his optimism was quite catching. Sadly it seems more of a defense mechanism.
Miguel is a bit older than Finn and has also seen his fair share of the uglier side of humanity. He is immediately drawn to Finn, but he knows a battle-hardened man like himself is not what the kid needs. It was fun watching Miguel come around. Such a stubborn fool.
We get to meet some interesting new characters in this episode. Some of whom I see possibly staring in their own stories. Others have slipped seamlessly into supporting roles.
There is a bit of suspense and just the right touch of angst. The cast is vibrant and easily worms their way into your heart. The story line is easy to follow, though a bit short (my greed could be talking here). Some of the happenings were a bit out of the realm of possibility but the story was so good that I was okay with that. Did not even question the scenes till well after. There are some scenes that felt rushed, not in the sense they weren’t complete. I think again it could just be me, I just wanted more.
Looking forward to the next journey.
Another tale from the Gates of Heaven, another two brilliant MCs we get to know very well.
I loved both the plot and the characters, all their emotions and insecurities on full display.
All the descriptions and world building were very vivid, providing a great background for an emotional story of self discovery and developing attraction. A very strong 4,5* read 🙂