Holden~When I get a call that my twin brother’s been shot, I’m in shock as I head back to Baltimore to be with him. Seeing him in a coma is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do; sitting here not knowing whether he’s going to live or die is the worst thing I can imagine. But at least Jameson is with me—he makes it more bearable, and I don’t feel like I’m in this alone. With everything going on, I … everything going on, I probably shouldn’t be checking out my brother’s work partner, but I can’t seem to help it. Jameson’s been so sweet and kind and considerate; not to mention he’s so sexy I can’t keep my eyes off him.
Jameson~
My partner getting shot and ending up in a coma brings everything in my world to a screeching halt. He’s not only my partner on the police force, but my best friend and confidant. When I see his twin brother, Holden, sitting in the waiting room, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that he neither blames me nor pushes me away. Now I’m doing my best to take care of him and support him; if only I’d stop noticing how his emotions reflect in his eyes and wondering how it would feel to touch him.
Will the bonding that takes place during their long bedside vigils become more than they expected? Can they be honest enough with themselves and each other to take it to the next level? And if they do, will Holden be willing to sacrifice the life he loves for the brother he’s kept at arm’s length for almost ten years and the man who could end up being his everything?
Heart Strain is the first book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+.
more
Everyone needs a little Peanut love
This book is an emotional rollercoaster but the best kind. Holden and Jameson have a rough and rocky reunion but grow close over a shared tragedy. Even though it’s for a sad reason, I’m so happy they were able to comfort one another and loved watching them slowly trust and open up to each other. Jameson’s family are a bunch of jerks but I think one may be redeemable. Holden is funny as they are stooge-like and I appreciate how he ices people out with politeness.
Poor Holds and Jameson, they’re both so brave and their stories broke my heart. I want to cuddle the teenager versions of them. I’m so glad Holden has Gavin and Jameson has Hendrix. Jameson’s jealousy of Gavin is somewhat amusing but I’m glad he understood Holds’ and Gav’s bond. They have a special friendship. I love Holden’s nickname for Jameson, so cute, just like them. BTW, I want a chocolate fountain. Aww, the roller skating rink scene was so sweet and Jameson has great taste in pet names; his logic for housing situations is sound; and his choice of a date place for Holden, so many happy sighs.
I think Holden and Jameson are both very stubborn and had a huge blind spot when it comes to relationships, considering they were in one but didn’t exactly realize it. Good thing they have Luwanna; she’s a smart woman and they should always listen to her. Also, it made me laugh how they thought they were hiding anything from Drix, who by the way, has a difficult journey ahead of him I don’t envy.
“You are my home.”Holden and Jameson have amazing chemistry. I enjoyed their banter and watching them dance around each other, but I adore how they become each other’s safe place.
So many warm fuzzies with this book and I liked the surprise cameos. I’m super curious about Gavin and Drix. I’m happy we get their story as I hope Gavin will sweeten up grumpy Drix.
The slowly blossoming romance between the two main characters is sweet and hearwarming. The writing quality is great, and the worldbuilding is spectuacular. Beyond the main characters, there’s a cast of side characters that clearly all have their own stories to tell (and most do in later books in the series). There’s just enough obstacles — both from the hurt/comfort theme and with both characters facing demons from their past — to keep the story from being overly fluffy.
Speaking for the series as a whole, I loved how interconnected all the characters are- they have a wonderful biologcial-and-chosen-family dynamic! We continue to see Holden and Jameson’s relationship develop in the subsequent books, and most/all of the main characters for the series are introduced in this first installment. There’s even a subtle but persistent overarching plot related to a police investigation and Jameson’s family history.
Heart Strain by Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee is book one in the Interlocking Fragments series. The book focuses on Holden and Jameson. Holden’s twin brother has been shot in an arrest gone wrong and he needs to rush back to his bedside, but being back in Baltimore is hard for Holden and his family house holds a lot of bad memories in general for him. Enter Jameson, Holden’s brothers work partner, a man who holds a lot of guilt regarding what has happened to Hendrix, even though it wasn’t his fault and carrying around a lot of baggage due to his family’s treatment of him.
Here we have a beautifully woven story about two broken pieces finding each other. Both Holden and Jameson have their own story to tell and we learn about them and what they have been through throughout the story whilst also seeing two people start a new relationship in the face of something tragic which has happened. Both characters bring a lot to the story and there are deep moments of heart-break for the two when they communicate how they feel not only about each other but also about themselves and their respective family members. It certainly is a slow burn read but you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens not only to the main characters but also the secondary characters too (I hope everyone gets a book!)
This story is all about love, friendship, family and some pretty cute animals too. A must read!
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
I definitely started this series backwards with Delaney and Aiden first but after reading in this world I was intrigued about the other characters so I decided to start at the beginning with Holden and Jameson and I’m so happy I did. These two men both had painful pasts with their families but overcame those obstacles and found their happily ever after with each other.
This story is just filled with so many feelings…it broke my hurt but then slowly healed it and filled it with love. Holden and Jamison are full of hurt that makes you want to hug and give them love. You go on an emotional ride of jealousy, anger, hope, friendship and love that sucks you right in. The love they find each other leads to healing and happiness for two hurt souls that just soothes your soul. I really enjoyed this story and I can’t wait for the next book to find out about Hendrix. And hope Jamison’s awful family gets what they deserve
I would rate this 4 stars.
Holden moved away from Baltimore nine years ago; his life is now in Ithaca where he’s a veterinarian. He has his best friend Gavin and his pit bull Peanut. But when he gets a call his twin brother Hendrix has been shot in the line of duty, he rushes back to be by his side. While Drix is in a coma, Holden gets close to Jameson, his brother’s work partner and his own high school crush. There was a reason Holden left this place and Jameson has family problems of his own. As their lives start to slot together into a routine, they need to decide if this is something they want to keep.
The authors switches POV between Holden and James every other chapter, so the reader gets immersed in both men’s feelings. I got attached to both characters quite quickly. Although this is a hurt/comfort trope, it never gets too angsty. Since the authors dwells on the positive rather than negative aspects of the story, the shooting and the past traumas for both men, are easy to navigate. This is a slow burn that is unexpectedly sweet with sexy love scenes. The characters are spending so much time together, they get to know each other well. This all feels natural. They are in their own little bubble–with Jameson on leave after the shooting, they spend every day at the hospital. I felt that time go by, but I wasn’t bored. I felt a real sense of intimacy was achieved. It’s impossible not to like Drix and Gavin, but I really connected with Luwanna, a volunteer at the hospital. I think most people who have spent time in a hospital have known a Luwanna.
This is a complete story. Yet, there are many threads that could get pulled for a sequel. Holden’s aforementioned past trauma is something he needs to talk about with his brother one day. Jamison’s family issues may never get fixed, but it’s his professional problems at work that are the real issue, considering his uncle is his boss. His brother and cousin are all also cops. Throw in Jamison’s father situation, and the reader knows exactly where this will all logically come to a head moving forward. Just because I think I know the plays, doesn’t make this less enjoyable to read. I prefer foreshadowing to things coming out of left field. Still, life comes at you hard, so I’ll wait to see Gavin get his own story which way the authors go to wrap those things up.
The cover was done by Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee. I would say this is Holden. He has a lot of past hurts he keeps hidden so I get using the hair as a veil, but I feel like the book deserves a more wow cover.