Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Betrayed on every front, Dan O’Leary cashed in all his chips and moved from the big city life of Atlanta to small town Blue Ridge, Georgia. While licking his wounds, he never meant to start a new relationship, especially with closeted Chief of Police Nick Oliver.

But now all Dan’s hot buttons are being pushed. One of his employees is being terrorized by seemingly upstanding townspeople. Then worst of all, he’d promised himself he’d never be anyone’s dirty little secret, and when Nick’s fear of being outed causes him to hurt Dan, Dan knows there’re problems in paradise.

With trouble on all sides—a homophobic football coach, an ex lover, and his former best friend—it takes a shot in the dark before he realizes the real danger. It’s time for Dan to figure out who he can trust and close ranks with his brothers in arms.

 

Book Review

"The thing is, we had the best friendship ever. People would talk how we're always together. But you hurt me so much. I have every reason not to forgive you. But I do. The rest is up to you." ~ Me Skye Hamilton

Dan O'Leary is settling into his new town and enjoying running the restaurant and making lots of new friends. He's still trying to escape his painful past, trusting that things will get better eventually. Everything isn't going as smoothly as he might like, especially his relationship with Nick, the handsome sheriff, but he's trying to have patience with him. In the meanwhile, people from his past invade his present, complicating matters and bringing up bad feelings which Dan had hoped would never raise their ugly heads again. Dan is wondering if his life will ever settle down, but, every day, he's more convinced that moving here from the big city is one of the wisest moves he's ever made.

Dan is a gem; rough cut, perhaps, but with a heart of gold. He can't stay out of becoming involved with someone who needs his help even if he tries; regardless of the confusion it inevitably brings. He's no pushover though. Dan refuses to stay in a situation which is harmful to him, i.e., his relationship with his ex and his ex-best friend both of whom betrayed him, or even with his new love, Nick. Dan is proud of who he is and refuses to settle for less than the respect of which he's worthy. Dan is not above forgiving, but he doesn't soon forget either. Dan is frustrated with Nick and his macho game of playing straight. He despairs that Nick is so worried about people finding out about their relationship, but he also understands Nick’s fear of his townspeople losing respect for him, especially since he's the sheriff and needs their approval. A constant contention between them is their closeted relationship and even though Dan is trying to be patient, he's also trying his best to talk Nick into being honest and coming out. Until Nick comes out, they can't have a future together.

Nick is a good man and a great sheriff, but sometimes he plays his part of straight male too well. Nick almost loses Dan over a conflict over a homophobic man and his treatment of others which, instead of correcting, Nick goes along with. Nick has never had anyone confront him over something like this, because before now, he wasn't involved with anyone else. Now he has Dan to hold him accountable for his words and actions; Dan is quite adamant that Nick be respectful to him and other townspeople. As long as Nick is not being honest, he will never fully gain Dan's respect, or be able to truly respect himself for that matter. Nick has to decide what's truly important; blowing his cover, or keeping Dan's love and respect. This decision also involves deciphering how he feels about himself and Dan. What does he want out of life? Does he want to stay closeted and alone, or to be honest and in a loving relationship? Ultimately, he can't have both; Nick is going to have to make a stand sooner or later.

This is a great sequel, untwisting some knots, tying up others. It gave me more insight into Dan's personality as well as Nick's. The secondary characters were as well thought-out and interesting as the two main ones. I can't help but be drawn and become emotionally involved to these unique and wonderfully flawed people in Tom Webb’s books. Along with the issues of coming out or not, and being honest about your feelings, is that of bullying and forgiveness. Tom has woven them in an entertaining, meaningful, thoughtful story, with viable options to each problem, which is one of Tom's trademarks. I recommend this book to fans of the series and to new people, although I strongly suggest that you read the first book before beginning this one. Thank you, Tom, for giving me another awesome literary experience.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 171 pages/49133 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	24-July-2014
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Arms-Broken-Road-Cafe-ebook/dp/B00M4JUJCY