Theo Bruster has a bad habit. You could call him attentive or observant, and you would not be wrong, because Theo has always liked to watch. Growing up in a hotel has given him an exciting and easy life, but he’s ready to put some space between himself and the only home he’s ever known. But sometimes when you’re not looking for anything, you find something, and Brad and Theo are about to learn … are about to learn that the hard way.
Brad has secrets that not even his brothers know, but he finds himself opening up to Theo and trusting him in ways that are new to them both. The relationship that develops between them might be unconventional, but under Theo’s watchful eye, Brad can re-gain control and for the first time in his life, be fearless.
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Fearless is #4 in the Room for Love series. It is a 67,000 word hurt/comfort romance between a man who loves to watch and another who doesn’t feel seen. Fearless has EVERYTHING you would expect from a Kate Hawthorne book…and more.
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I love Kate and the way she writes her books. She handles tougher topics in a meaningful way. This is so apparent in this book. Brad is so so strong, and he’s hidden his pain for so long. Theo likes to watch and he has a good sense of what people are hiding. These two characters compliment each other beautifully. As for the other residents of Cherry Creek they just bring the character and charm to this story. I genuinely loved it all.
First off the Cherry Creek books have been such a highlight to my reading this year. I have adored each of them for hitting upon a group of brothers who all found love in such unique ways. Even knowing this about the series, diving into Brad and Theo’s story still surprised me completely. I was not expecting this kind of story from one of the more elusive Motel brothers. More though is to realize how heartbreaking Brad’s actual story is.
That after reading three other books where his family lovingly picked on him for not going to college, and yet knowing he never owned up to why. Well, this story is his why, and there’s a
trigger warning for the prologue (it can be skipped if needed), but from someone who has a similar past, I appreciated how it was portrayed and subtly touched upon throughout the story. So, I personally didn’t have issues – but warning nonetheless.
This story took a bit of time for me to mentally process and this review is going to sound a bit abstract; like I’m trying to express the feelings the story made me experience. Yet as a person who can relate to both of the MC’s for various reasons, I don’t really know how to express my love for this book mechanically. Brad and Theo are so genuinely sweet, that I just want to cuddle them and protect them forever. Their interactions in previous books in no way prepared me for the gentleness that they would have for one another. That even though Brad is the one who experienced a trauma, Theo learns more about himself and grows by loving Brad. I love that they leave space for each other to experience new avenues of control and consent. It’s not just physically, but more importantly to their own feelings and reactions.
These men were genuinely gems in a sea of outstanding stories! I will love going back to them 🙂
A story about being seen and accepted.
Brad absolutely broke my heart. Trapped in a trauma from the beginning of his adult life, he’s just never figured out how to move forward or share his troubles with anyone. Theo is… observant. He likes knowing things harmless gossip material or very private things, it doesn’t matter he just likes knowing. Some might find this intrusive but it’s exactly what Brad needs. Theo sees him, he sees past his trauma to the good man that’s been hiding from everyone for years. And Brad shows Theo how to bring his habit of observation out of the shadows and make it even better with consent. Their love is sweet and pure like a young love but shines with a maturity that you know it’s utterly genuine. I love them so very much and will enjoy revisiting their story over and over.
I love the Cherry Creek universe. It’s so hard to pick a favorite Motel brother but Hawthorne reached new emotional heights from the first page. I felt like I didn’t breathe through the prologue- it was intense. Brad and Theo have beautiful chemistry. Brad is my favorite- wounded and vunerable from events in his past beyond his control, he slowly lets Theo fill those spaces of fear and need. Theo has his own baggage but understands Brad so well from the moment they really connect. I just loved how they fill those crevices of need in the soul of the other. Theo helps Brad see and take the things he really wants. The writing was beautiful, emotional and had that style we love from Kate Hawthorne. She has created so much atmosphere with the entire series that I almost feel like I could roadtrip to Cherry Creek and hang out at the hotel. She deftly weaves in the characters from both her stories in the series and also EM Lindsey’s stories as well. I love Kate Hawthorne’s books for a lot of reasons- they are always perfectly edited, her writing is clever and witty, the characters are different and engaging… She is a must read for me! This book gave me all the feels- sweet, steamy and a little heartbreak thrown in for Brad and what he’s been through. I had a wee book hangover simply because I loved it so much. ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND!!
I love the characters in this series with a passion! Love how unique they are, how diverse the personalities are made up and how they interact with each other!
In prior books in the Room for Love series, Brad has been the quiet Motel brother, watching his brothers fall in love and supporting them, but keeping mostly to himself. We knew he had a secret, but he wasn’t interesting in sharing it.
Meanwhile, Theo worked at the lodge the brothers owned He grew up there, in fact, and that helped him develop his particular kink. Theo was a voyeur, and watching or listening to others was exciting to him. He was also secretly in love with Brad Motel.
Who knew that Theo was exactly who and what Brad needed? When these two became more than friends, Brad’s fears began to slowly lose their stranglehold on him. Theo began questioning his own tendencies. I was happy to watch them fall in love and grow stronger with each other. The heat level was high, and the romance was so sweet.
This series is terrific, and Brad and Theo’s story is an absolutely perfect installment. I love the interaction between the Motel brothers, and adore how completely different yet equally supportive each sibling is. I’m anxious for Andy to find his HEA, but at the same time I’m sad that his will be the last story in this series. I never want to leave these couples or the other quirky characters in the town of Cherry Creek.
Fearless is the fourth book in the Room for Love series by Kate Hawthorne. It’s a wonderfully written lovestory with hurt and comfort, kink and finding what you need. Theo and Brad are great and I adore them together. They fit so well and give each other what the other needs. There is alot of emotion here, and together these two characters create intense heat but also a sweet love story that grabs the reader’s heart. Brad’s secret store at my heart but his connection with Theo patched it back together.
There is also a theme of family. I love seeing the brothers interact with each other and seeing their connections. This book and series is fantastic.
Brad and Theo are precious, soft and sweet in their love and setting the sheets on fire with their passion. Kate can seriously do no wrong with the Motel brothers–I absolutely loved this addition to the series!
Right from the prologue, this book gripped my heart and wouldn’t let go. It was crushing, devastating to see Brad’s innocent excitement about college get shattered by his assault. Please pay attention to the warnings because this scene is difficult to read. You can still enjoy the rest of the story without reading the prologue, if needed.
Brad’s life in Cherry Creek is regimented, structured in ways to keep Brad in his safe bubble. He only sleeps in his bed behind a locked door, only eats and drinks food he’s seen prepared, and never seeks out intimacy. As much as he desperately wants to feel normal, he doesn’t know how to even think about bringing someone else into his life. In contrast, Theo literally grew up in the Cherry Creek Motel, always in the background observing everything around him. Though he has a huge crush on Brad, he feels safer watching and listening from a distance.
Theo’s voyeurism is both the catalyst for Brad and Theo’s relationship and a source of pain for Theo as he struggles to balance his desires with his need to give Brad the commitment and exclusivity he deserves. I’ve never read a book with a voyeuristic main character, and I found it fascinating to explore this new kink and understand Theo’s motivation. While their initial scenes were a bit awkward, as Brad and Theo navigated their new dynamic, their later experiments with voyeurism were incredibly erotic. I love how Brad got to set the terms for Theo: “it’s not me watching you, it’s you giving me something to see.” The way Theo went beautifully pliant when Brad took control was shiver-inducing.
While the sex Brad and Theo have is insanely hot, what got to me most were the softer moments in this book. Theo gives Brad so much attention and adoration, making sure he’s always safe and comfortable in Theo’s presence. Even when Brad feels insecure about his food issues or inability to be intimate, Theo is right there, quietly showing him that none of that matters. Brad, in turn, is supportive and accepting of Theo always, even when Theo doesn’t think he deserves Brad’s affection. I love that this couple showcased a softer side of love, with quiet confessions under the stars and a deep sense of devotion and trust.
Although this book has a heavy backstory, it’s definitely the softest book so far in this series. Even the Motel family drama was pretty short-lived here. Now, can we please *please* get to Andy’s story because he and his mysterious postcards have me so curious!
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.