Review: A Clean Break (Gay Amish Romance #2) by Keira Andrews

They’ve escaped to the outside world—but can they really be free?

David and Isaac have found happiness in each other’s arms. In faraway San Francisco, Isaac’s brother Aaron helps them explore confusing “English” life and move beyond the looming shadow of their Amish roots. For the first time, David and Isaac can be openly gay, yet they struggle to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. At least they don’t have to hide their relationship, which should make everything easier. Right?

But while Isaac thrives at school and makes new friends, David wrestles to come to terms with the reality of the outside world. Haunted by guilt at leaving his mother and sisters behind in Zebulon, he’s overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the city as he works to get his carpentry business off the ground.

While David and Isaac finally sleep side by side each night, fear and insecurity could drive them miles apart. 

A Clean Break picks up right where A Forbidden Rumspringa left off. David and Isaac have just arrived in San Fransisco and are settling in with Isaac's brother.

While trying to fit in with the English is tough, they do the best they can together and in their own way. David sticks to what he knows - carpentry. He continues with the business he built when he lived with his family, and works hard to keep it. Isaac wants a change and goes to school to earn his GED. I really liked that they chose different paths in their new life. Of course, they want different things for themselves, they're different people. Now that they're free to make choices, they went ahead and made them. Especially Isaac. He made a hard choice to put himself out there in school and with meeting new people. He made friends like a pro! Of course, we don't know his internal struggles, since this was told from David's POV.

David! David.

David. 

Oh, I wanted to smack him silly! He took on way too much. He was too hard on himself and never asked for help. And, guess what, he suffered the consequences. His determination to take care of Isaac and his family showed how much pressure he felt to be the man of the family. He's still just a kid! While I wanted to smack some sense into him, he didn't know any better. He didn't know he could or should ask for help. I think he would have felt ashamed if he had asked too soon, before he proved to himself how much he could do on his own. Well, now he knows, but I'm still worried about what will happen in book 3. Especially after some of his choice coping mechanisms.

They both had their separate problems, and much of their heartache would have been saved if they had helped each other and worked together through them. But, I don't think I can really blame them because 1) they're kids and 2) did they have a model of a strong supportive relationship in their home? Using what I know about their families, I'm guessing not. They're learning this as they go. Little by little, they are becoming more accustomed to English life. It's in the little things, like forgetting to pray or wanting to check yourself in the mirror, that they realize they're changing. With these changes come some unexpected happenings. Things that all couples fight about from time to time, but that's the difference. Isaac and David didn't fight about those things because they never even brought it up. They kept it all inside.

Hindsight. I bet they have it now.

But through the outward struggles and inward battles, Isaac and David were still the sweet, loving couple we know. They were so open with their feelings about each other. They may not have talked about everything, but I loved reading their little declarations.

"You were all the things I'd imagined, but so much more. Hard working and generous. Such a dreamer, and oh how I wanted to dream. I knew I could trust you. When we're together it feels like anything is possible."

And they. were. hot.

"Isaac jerked around and took David's face in his hands, kissing him hard. David opened his mouth, moaning as Isaac's tongue thrust inside. They stumbled back against one of the mirrored doors, which wavered with a rattle. David braced his palms on the cool glass, unwilling to break their kiss. In that moment he didn't care if they broke the mirror instead."

Damn. Did you feel that? Me too. All from just a kiss.

So, I loved this sequel. It has the perfect balance of love, sexiness and angst. It flowed beautifully and left me wanting more. And that ending? It left me gasping, but it left at a satisfying enough place to give me hope for Isaac and David.

 

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A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.