When I read and reviewed the first book in this series, Forgiven, I noted that I felt something was missing from the story. Garrett Leigh was a new-to-me author at that point and what I read didn’t match up to what I had heard of her stories. I’m pleased to say that I felt this story was much more of what I had expected from her reputation. Because I had heard of her as an author who writes LGBTQ stories and that was not what the first book was, I thought perhaps that was the issue. And maybe it was, since I felt this story was much more fleshed out and I felt a much deeper connection to the characters in this story than in the last.

Both Gus and Billy are in the previous story, but as supporting characters. There are plenty of hints in that story as to the potential connection between these two. I must say, the author did a beautiful job writing their connection. The push/pull they felt was palpable. I just wanted them both to talk to each other and clear the air.

Gus has a special place in my heart. From the first time he was introduced I felt myself taking his side. Over his sister Mia, his best friend Luke, and now over Billy. Gus stayed. Gus didn’t run away like everyone else in his life has done. Sure, he doesn’t go about facing his issues in a great way. He often uses meaningless sex to keep himself from thinking too deeply about how everyone leaves. Gus does not like being alone. So, while he is a very reliable and respected figure in the community, he hasn’t learned to deal with real emotions.

While Gus always stays, Billy always runs. That man has a chip on his shoulder bigger than the Taj Mahal. Some of it is with good reason. But, just like everyone else in his life, he’s not good with dealing with emotions. Billy seems to understand Gus on a level nobody else does, but he’s so insecure about his own worth in anyone’s life that he holds back when Gus really needs him to step forward.

I have to note that although I really love this story, I still am not a fan of Gus’ sister. Sometimes I felt Luke wasn’t being the best friend, and Billy often held himself back when he shouldn’t have, Mia is still oblivious to how her words and actions hurt her brother. Gus started to develop more of a backbone with those around him as this story progressed, but I still feel he needs to have a real knock down drag out fight with Mia so she’ll maybe stop thinking only of herself.

The main takeaway I have on this story is that I am now interested in reading more by this author. I believe, from what I’ve read so far, that the author’s writing takes on a different tone when delving into the lives of LGBTQ characters and I’m interested to explore if that holds true in other stories she’s written.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can read more of my reviews, including my review of Forgiven, at All In Good Time.

Merged review:

When I read and reviewed the first book in this series, Forgiven, I noted that I felt something was missing from the story. Garrett Leigh was a new-to-me author at that point and what I read didn’t match up to what I had heard of her stories. I’m pleased to say that I felt this story was much more of what I had expected from her reputation. Because I had heard of her as an author who writes LGBTQ stories and that was not what the first book was, I thought perhaps that was the issue. And maybe it was, since I felt this story was much more fleshed out and I felt a much deeper connection to the characters in this story than in the last.

Both Gus and Billy are in the previous story, but as supporting characters. There are plenty of hints in that story as to the potential connection between these two. I must say, the author did a beautiful job writing their connection. The push/pull they felt was palpable. I just wanted them both to talk to each other and clear the air.

Gus has a special place in my heart. From the first time he was introduced I felt myself taking his side. Over his sister Mia, his best friend Luke, and now over Billy. Gus stayed. Gus didn’t run away like everyone else in his life has done. Sure, he doesn’t go about facing his issues in a great way. He often uses meaningless sex to keep himself from thinking too deeply about how everyone leaves. Gus does not like being alone. So, while he is a very reliable and respected figure in the community, he hasn’t learned to deal with real emotions.

While Gus always stays, Billy always runs. That man has a chip on his shoulder bigger than the Taj Mahal. Some of it is with good reason. But, just like everyone else in his life, he’s not good with dealing with emotions. Billy seems to understand Gus on a level nobody else does, but he’s so insecure about his own worth in anyone’s life that he holds back when Gus really needs him to step forward.

I have to note that although I really love this story, I still am not a fan of Gus’ sister. Sometimes I felt Luke wasn’t being the best friend, and Billy often held himself back when he shouldn’t have, Mia is still oblivious to how her words and actions hurt her brother. Gus started to develop more of a backbone with those around him as this story progressed, but I still feel he needs to have a real knock down drag out fight with Mia so she’ll maybe stop thinking only of herself.

The main takeaway I have on this story is that I am now interested in reading more by this author. I believe, from what I’ve read so far, that the author’s writing takes on a different tone when delving into the lives of LGBTQ characters and I’m interested to explore if that holds true in other stories she’s written.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

You can read more of my reviews, including my review of Forgiven, at All In Good Time.

And Now, Part 2. In the second part of this courageous series of romance books, Leigh goes from MF romance in Book 1 (Forgiven) to MM romance here, a genre she is apparently much more well known in. And given the vitriol for MF romance in so much of the MM world, I expect this book to be received better than the first book was - and at this moment, the early Goodreads reviews are at least trending slightly in that direction.

Here, we get the full-on romance of two characters first introduced in Forgiven - the brothers of both of that book's leads. And it is again a fairly standard gay/ bi romance. Fairly high degree of angst, lots of issues for both men to work through, sex scenes later in the tale given the inexperience of one of them, etc. If you like MM romance generally, this one will be another solid one for you. If you're just exploring the genre, this is a good one to try out - and maybe even read Forgiven first, if you're more comfortable in the MF romance space.

While I don't see where this series goes from here, if indeed it is to continue, I'm not opposed to coming back to this world. Leigh does a truly solid job of establishing it and allowing her characters to live mostly real lives within it, including the added tag of drama near the end of this one - which can happen to most anyone. Very much recommended.