Can two broken men build one life?Ten years.That’s what Makai lost for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s been exonerated, but the abuse he suffered in prison isn’t so easy to leave behind. He heads to the one place he remembers being happy: Acker, Wisconsin, where he spent summers with his grandpa. Unfortunately, not everyone wants Makai there.Ten days.That’s how long Emil, now twenty-one, was held … long Emil, now twenty-one, was held prisoner as a teenager. The mental and physical injuries he suffered at the hands of a drug trafficking ring still haunt him.
Nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD challenge the connection forming between Makai and Emil, though together, they might find a way to move beyond their pain and into a future—and a relationship—that both had thought impossible.
Now they just have to convince Emil’s father, the town sheriff. It won’t be easy with danger closer than they know….
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I’ve read this author before. This is a mm contemporary story set in the USA. Both main characters, Emil and Makai have horrible incidents in their past but together they learn to heal. This book may have triggers for readers about sexual abuse. The journey to love and acceptance for these two characters was slow but well worth the time. I’ll read more from this author.
I would rate this 4 stars.
After ten years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Makai heads to Acker, Wisconsin to start his life over. There he meets Emil, still suffering his own PTSD from his ten day ordeal at the hands of drug traffickers. The hurt/comfort trope is high with this one as they stumble into a relationship while Emil’s father Kalle, the Sheriff, tries to keep them apart. We get to see both sides of law enforcement here, from Makai’s conviction for being brown, to an honest small town sheriff trying to protect his son from heartbreak and conquer his own prejudice (about excons, not because Makai’s a POC), and deputies Erin and Jason, who show Makai kindness. Unfortunately another deputy, Mark, is concerned with everyone’s sexuality and gender instead seeing them as people.
Watching Makai emotionally and mentally navigate being out of prison is sad. I am not usually a fan of so much inner musing, but with Makai fresh from prison and living alone in a sparsely populated area, it is appropriate to the story. Emil has trouble being around people too, so his POV is also self contained. Yet, when the dialogue happens it is real and pertinent, it helps paint a picture of their lives. Here the slow burn is entirely necessary; there is no other way for these men to interact. The bravery, the honesty they share is astonishing but in their excitement to have found someone who understands, they get too close too quick. As with all mental health issues, it’s a few steps forward, a few steps back. The sex is a natural extension of their relationship, but not eroticized for the reader. They are building a life together and that is just one small part of it as they struggle to be healthy.
The vet Doc, Emil’s shrink Evy, Emil’s mom Nora, the grocery store owner Mr. Miller, Joy/Joie and their mom Lotte–this is loaded with caring characters that feel real because they are described and their interactions with each other feel real. Joy/Joie is a wonderful 5 year old age appropriate character exploring their gender. It’s heartwarming to see the effort some of the town members take to welcome Makai, encouraging his integration–yes, some are bigots and homophobes, that’s just life. The small town feel is well written and surprisingly diverse. The whole town is invested in Emil because they had to share in his tragedy, so they want share in his happiness also. I do think Makai has to go above and beyond to prove to everyone, especially the sheriff, he is a “good guy” even though we was exonerated of the crime he committed and was unjustly convicted. This makes me wonder what kind of reception Kaos, Makai’s friend from prison, will get when he arrives for book two. Over all this is a well done, low angst for the subject matter, solid romance.
Ten by author Tia Feilding is the first book in the Love by Numbers series. This is a very heavy start to a series. I loved it, but I also wanted some relief from how serious this book is. I could not finish this one in one sitting. It is a kind of read where you need hearts and rainbows after. It is emotion and heart-wrenching.
Makai did ten years for a crime he did not commit.
Emil was held prisoner for ten days.
Makai is going back to the only place he has known joy. He has been exonerated but still feels the stigma of being in prison. He is Native American and been subjected to racism. He needs a break. He is a good person who has had a ton of bad luck in life.
Emil after five years of being free he has hurt hands to remember the experience by, along with PSTD. He is very kind and very aware of his own shortcomings. Almost too aware. He is in desperate need of joy and love.
These two are really good together. They have what the other needs, and they make each other better people. Finally, maybe together they can also find peace. The peace that has eluded them both.
This is a great story, again I could not finish it in one sitting due to its dark nature but I felt it was very well done and thought out. I would love to read more from this author in the future and see where they go next.