Mason Alexander thought all he wanted in life was something to call his own—something without the family name attached. He got that when he bought his bar in Blackcreek…but then a hard truth opens his eyes that he’s been lied to his whole life, and he’s tangled amid the family that loves him, a truth that haunts him, and torn between the life he wants for himself and the obligation he feels for … for his family.
Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.
Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.
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So I didn’t like this one as much. I did really love Gavin and the things he was going through. It really broke my heart seeing his relationship with his parents and how it made him feel. The things that were said to him and his mother wanting him to pretend to be something he wasn’t made me sick. Mason made him feel so accepted and just wanted him to be happy. It felt like there were a lot of moving parts in this one, but we still got to see this relationship blossom.
Gavin returns to Blackcreek after having lost a job related to the fact that he is gay. Mason owns the local bar and hires Gavin part-time until Gavin figures out what is next in his life. When the two men feel an attraction for each other unlike any other, they are intrigued enough to try for a relationship, but both have a lot of other issues going on in their lives. Can they make things work?
While the book is cohesively written and brings back some of the MCs from the previous books in the series, it is also one long family-related guilt trip mixed with a fair share of almost crippling homophobia. The men seem to have difficulties in setting familial boundaries and the love they feel for their families seems to be confused with massive levels of people-pleasing. It’s fair to say that they are working on these personal issues and make head-way. In some ways, that makes the book a bit of a downer because it’s rather intense and depressing, but for some readers that may be relatable and inspirational. There are plenty of hot love scenes, MCs who have a great relationship with each other, and some good support from friends.
One of the great things in this ongoing series is the introduction of characters as side stories… We already new about Gavin from reflections of Braden’s past… friends more than lovers, Braden was the one that helped Gavin escape from his home life of Christian high and mighty, fire and brimstone parents. Without Braden, Gavin may never have made it out. Mason was the new bar owner of the local watering whole. He did contemplate making a play for Braden at one point, but didn’t want to get caught up in drama. Mason comes from money and is the heir to a chain of successful restaurants… but runs when he finds he has been living a lie covered up by not only his parents, but his lover, Isaac, as well… Mason has something to prove, but keeps getting sucked back in by the trio… Gavin just wants to live an out and happy life. Although each couple has a sweet spot in my heart, I find favorites in Gavin and Mason… They quickly find a companionship and friendship that grows to more… Their past lives do try to guilt them, take them down and split them apart and eventually they realize they must do the selfless thing… the important part is that they find their way back to each other… Their story is loving and touching and funny… Mason was truly what Gavin needed to flourish… I even hated Isaac less, lol.
Mason and Gavin are the last couple in the Blackcreek Series. Just like Noah and Cooper and Braden and Wes, both Mason and Gavin have family issues and baggage that they need to sort through and deal with. This book had it’s share of angst as both men have to work through their issues while fighting for their relationship. But in the end, everything works out and everyone gets their happy ending.