Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Newton DeSantis was on the ground when the towers collapsed on 9/11. Though he still carries the scars on his body and his heart, he’s determined to ease some of the world’s suffering. Now a social worker and father to two children with special needs, he’s doing his best. But when one of his cases needs a good lawyer, Newton turns to Chase for help.

 

Family law attorney Chase Matthews is a rising star, and he’s in high demand. Still, Newton is very persuasive, and Chase takes his case pro bono. Everything about the other man appeals to Chase, but he’s determined to keep the relationship professional—even though, after meeting Newton’s kids, he wants to be a part of their lives.

 

Chase’s job doesn’t always allow him to pick his clients, though, and a case that could make him partner will put him on the opposite side of the courtroom from Newton—along with everything he believes in and the future they could build together.

 

Book Review

Some relationships are more difficult than others, but they can also be the ones that turn out to be deeper and more lasting. In this emotional story Newton and Chase face a lot of obstacles, both internal ones rooted in their pasts and external ones due to the situation they find themselves in. But their attraction is strong, the way they slowly build trust is solid, and when the final catastrophe happens it still isn’t easy for them to get through the doubt that is suddenly part of how they relate, but at least they stand a chance.

Newton is a courageous man with a big heart who did the right thing and helped others when the towers collapsed on 9/11, but he carries emotional scars (who wouldn’t!) and a physical reminder. He has chosen a career as a social worker where he can help those least likely to be able to defend themselves. He is a great guy, has adopted two kids with physical challenges, and doesn’t even realize that he is lonely – at least not most of the time.

Chase has a rather dark past, one he does not often talk about. It has made him choose family law as a career, and he is good at what he does. He doesn’t like to have to take cases where he feels that he is on the wrong side of the equation, but he doesn’t have a choice if he wants to become partner. Chase has never really thought about it until he meets Newton. Suddenly Chase is confronted with the ugly truth of what happens when he has to defend people he did not like to start with – people who are very close to Newton’s heart.

Both men have so far not been able to find love, but when they meet, it is pretty obvious that they are a good fit. Chase understands Newton’s priorities, accepts the few physical limitations he has, and really likes the children. Newton appreciates Chase’s support and admires how he fights for his clients’ rights – when they are deserving of support against the slimeballs of this world. Their relationship develops fairly slowly over time, and is as much emotional as physical in nature. I think this is why they can deal with the disaster of facing each other on opposite sides of the courtroom – which makes Chase really reconsider his priorities.

If you like romances with obstacles, if you think that a social worker and a career lawyer might be a good fit, and if you’re looking for an emotional read about two men who really deserve a happy ending, then you will probably like this novel as much as I do.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 193 pages/67804 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	09-July-2019
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/survive-and-conquer-by-andrew-grey-10614-b