Review: Island Counselor (Island Medics #2) by Sue Brown

Counselor Logan Wilde has a successful therapy practice in London, but when a traumatic incident there leaves him suffering from PTSD, he takes refuge in his holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight, unable to face going back to work. Not that he’s allowed to relax. Logan’s time is taken up with helping Liam Owens, plus there’s Nick Brent, whom Logan discovers collapsed on the beach. Nick and Logan spend their time bickering with each other, but that doesn’t alter the attraction they feel.

Logan is forced to make some hard decisions about his future, which entails facing up to recent events. Only he’s not alone—Nick is with him. Unfortunately someone else makes a decision too, and now trouble is on its way to the Isle of Wight.

I really love the books Sue Brown writes and sets on the Isle of Wight, they are just my type of go-to comfort read. Island Counselor is the story of Logan and Nick and the rocky road to romance. 

I think the setting is integral to why these books work. The Isle of Wight is a small island just off the south coast of Britain. It is about 25 miles by 13 miles and is just a short ferry ride from the mainland - and it's a beautiful, beautiful place. Made of villages, small towns, a stunning coastline and gorgeous countryside, the setting lends itself perfectly to cosy romances. 

Nick and Logan are both suffering from events in their pasts, one with physical injuries and the other with mental scars. Together they slowly start to make headway into their problems, though there is plenty of reluctance despite an instant attraction. Rather than hurt/comfort, this is more a story of healing; of facing fears and demons and learning to trust and love again. 

Sue Brown writes in a way that is sweet without bringing on tooth decay! Her characters have character, they can be snarky and humorous and kind and sexy. I really enjoy her writing, it is easy read, but isn't lazy - it doesn't rely on hot n heavy sex scenes to carry a poor story. She writes well; it is simple in a way that this kind of romance requires (at least in my opinion) but it is in no way boring. So many times I have to skim read parts of books because they feel so over done. I never have the feeling of I've read this before, even though the author has several books in the same setting. Maybe the structure is similar, but the characters are fresh and unique and each story their own.

I will always be looking out for more from this author, they are a Sunday afternoon comfort read as far as I'm concerned. Me likey! 

A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

For more information see Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads.

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