AKM Miles

Jamie is a technician working in a rehab facility while studying to become a physical therapist. When a new patient, Grant, shows up and sparks Jamie's interest, he truly believes this could be the start of something - especially when Grant comes out and makes it know the attraction is mutual. But when jealous Donnie, the son of Jamie's boss, makes it clear he thinks Jamie belongs to him, will they be able to weather the storm?

While I could definitely see the sweetness intended in the relationship here, I had a few problems with this story. First, the ethical issue of Jamie coming onto a patient and the inviting him to come live in his house is totally glossed over - even the facility's administrator doesn't even bat an eye. Second, the speed with which the relationship grows is unrealistically fast - even for a romance, in my opinion. Third, the way things progress with Donnie comes across as rather unrealistic, too. And, finally, the dialogue in the sex scenes is completely over-the-top. I appreciated the intent of the story, but it just didn't work for me.… (more)

As much as I enjoyed the book, there were a few things that irritated me. One of the major ones: honestly you think your dog is sick, rather than suspecting somebody's sneaking around. And finding the back door unlocked after you know you locked it, not one, but twice doesn't seem enough to call the police? Hmmm.

Other than that it was an okay story. I would have liked to have given more praise, but between the above and then the oh, so frequent sex scenes, it just didn't get there for me.… (more)

This is such a brilliant story. It’s a book that really stands out for me, and even though I read it (for the first time) a very long time ago, the characters were still with me when I picked it up a few days ago to re-read it.

Much longer and richer than you’d think a short novel of 158 pages can ‘feel’, it revolves around the story of a man who is utterly lost when he first returns home after fighting in a war. Referring to himself only as ‘Soldier’, he starts out as an observer unable to join in. He is tired, hurt and doesn’t even know how to return to ‘normal’ society. The journey he takes to heal himself by helping others is nothing short of amazing. The description of his thoughts made him utterly real to me.

Dillon is struggling to give a safe place to a group of young boys who have nobody else to care for them. While Dillon connects to the world in a very direct way, he has given up hope to find happiness for himself. He is a great nurturer who is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for others. His surprise and delight when he begins to realize that maybe he can be happy after all is wonderful to watch. The threats that promptly pop up and try to take it all away again held me on the edge of my seat.

Soldier and Dillon are both scarred in different ways. Yet both are driven to help not only each other but the homeless boys as well. The development of Soldier's and Dillon's relationship and the outside threats they encounter held me spellbound. All of the characters were so real that I cried and laughed with them as if they were my friends. And yet, this is also a book that reads like a fairy tale. With all of the problems inherent in these men’s situation it could have easily turned into total disaster. The fact that it didn’t may prompt some people to say that it is unrealistic. Unfortunately, thanks to the cruel world we live in, that is most likely true. All the better that we have places our imagination can take us (with the help of a great author like AKM) where disaster doesn’t strike and where ‘the bad guys’ don’t win. I, for one, enjoy reading stories like this just as much as those that are ‘real. Who is to say which is the ‘better’ reality?
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