“I want to move forward… but I don’t know how.”Jay Pittman’s had it rough. Kicked out of the house as a teenager for being gay, his life became a constant struggle to survive. Selling himself seemed like the only option… but thanks to a stranger’s kindness, Jay’s been able to start putting the pieces of his life back together. If only it were so easy to fix the anxiety and depression that rampage … depression that rampage through his mind, as well.
“I’m not giving up on you.”
Corey Rowe is a born nurturer. A doctor by trade and a volunteer working with abuse victims by choice, meeting Jay has every professional instinct engaged with the need to help Jay overcome the traumas of the past. But as Jay begins to open up, Corey must face his own demons – and to answer the question: is it safe for him to lay his heart on the line?
They build them big in the town of Harlan, Colorado – where the winters are beautiful and the mountain men are gorgeous. Read along as we join them in Harlan, where the pain of the past drips away as these sexy, rugged mountain men find their true loves and embrace a lifestyle of happily ever afters. This book and every other book in the For You Series can be read in any order
more
EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE CAN BE UNPACKED IN A GOOD WAY
I really got into this book. I felt Jay’s pain and could understand Corey’s need to protect. Both come with heavy baggage that they must overcome. Corey’s is buried so deep, he seems to be buried with it. Jay’s baggage is heavy and he hates himself for the things he had to do in order to survive. They make a great couple and Corey’s nurturing ways help save Jay and he gets him the help he needs to deal with his problems.
I’ve been waiting for Jay’s story and it is even better than I expected. Jay has arrived at his cousin’s after living on the street for years. It’s taken its toll on his body and mind. Corey has always been the caretaker of the group, everyone’s big brother and protector. It translates well into him being an ER doctor. He takes one look at Jay and is smitten, but he sees the fear and brokenness. I loved that he was so determined to give Jay what he needed from the first moment. Letting Jay take the lead in their friendship and more, he’s always there willing to listen and give him the support he needs. I loved that it was Jay that was strong enough to recognize and ask for counseling. He takes brave steps to regain his life and forge a HEA with the man he’s grown to love. Corey has been caring around his own demons for far too long. He finally finds the courage to open up his heart and show Jay the pain of his past, letting him help fix what is broken.
Audiobook: The narrator does a decent job with clarity and pace. I like most of the voices that he has for the characters.
Corey and Ty had supportive parents when they came out. Some of their friends, and now some of their extended family of friends and officers, were not so lucky.
Ryder and Ace got together after meeting through work – and after Ace came to terms with it being ok to be himself, and working with other officers who were out, open, and supportive .
Ace came from a really conservative family background, and his parents had disowned hi when they heard from his fellow officers in Denver that Ace might be gay.
As he settled in to life in Harlan, and into his life with Ryder, he sought out his cousin Jay, who had been kicked out by his parents at age 16 when he had admitted the truth.
Jay did not fare as well as Ace – he was on the streets at 16, working in a diner, when he was forced to do other things to support himself. He was lucky not to have also gotten hooked on drugs, and even luckier to have avoided getting any STDs.
But there was no stale environment for him – even all these years later. Jay was very grateful when Ace reached out, and offered Jay a place to stay, with Ace and Ryder in Harlan.
A fresh start – but scars. When Jay met Corey, older brother to Ty who used to babysit Ryder, Gavin, et al – instant spark.
Lots of hurdles to overcome for these two to get together, but a promising future ahead, if they can both let go of past pains, and focus on future happiness, and now good things.
A sweet second chance at life, hope for a real love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.