I think I'm going a bit against the other reviews I have read for this book and this series but this is what I thought.

Hank and Reed, connection that works but on paper looks like it shouldnt. I loved Jewel and the family and the dynamic.

BUT

I felt this story had finished at 50% and then it kept going, I was aware it was a longer read but not necessarily sure it needed to be. To me it felt like we'd get to the end and another twist, plot point or trope was added.

I havent read any of this author before so maybe this is how they write. I will be reading book 2 so will see if is a pattern.

Also for a second revision there was still a few typos and errors. ( )

I absolutely loved this book. The author managed to hit so many feels with the detail oriented story. So many topics from bullying to politics were touched on which pleased me. I could have read another three hundred pages! ( )

I really liked this book. It hooked me right from the beginning and I found myself really liking Hank. He had a lot of stuff going on in his life, but his family was clearly very important to him. He really had an amazing family. Hank was an Army Ranger who was finally looking to leave and return to civilian life. Reed was a special education teacher who had Hank's sister, Jewel, in his class. He was an awesome human being with a huge heart. The two of them were great for each other, and Reed was a great calming presence for Hank, who was dealing with anxiety and PTSD.

The writing was great, and I found myself immersed in the story. There was a lot going on in this book; Hank was dealing with reacclimating while also being sent out one last mission and Reed was dealing with homophobia at work and with bullying from other students towards the students he teaches in the special education program. There were times it felt like it was a bit long winded and the characters seemed to give long speeches rather than dialogue quite a bit, but it wasn't enough to turn me away from the story. I really liked the characters, both main and supporting, and I am really interested in continuing this series.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews ( )