Trent Cavendish made a huge mistake at age 18 when he walked away from his first love. Twelve years later, Trent is rattled when his friend suddenly dies. He takes a hard look at his life, realizing how empty it has become. Determined to re-evaluate his priorities and make amends, he returns to his hometown to win Xavier's forgiveness and maybe even his heart.
Times have changed. Instead of the sweet but tame boyfriend he left behind, he finds a smoking hot man dressed in bits of lace and silk. Trent's good intentions turn to lust, and love isn't far behind. But Xavier is wary. The villain of his memories is proving to be a decent guy, but has he really changed or is Xavier just a new goal to chase?
Standard disclaimer from the in-house MANTIES enthusiast: there were MANTIES and I maybe squealed some. <----total lie. I squealed like a pig.
I will probably squeal some here too. And there could be a pic or two. Because, y'know, MANTIES!
Jamison is a new to me author but as soon as I saw the words "lace and silk" in the blurb my heart did a recognizing a kindred spirit pitterpat. I hit the request button faster than you can say sing thon-tha-tha-tha-thonggggg even though this is the third book in a series, but this book can be read as a standalone. There are secondary characters that I'm fairly certain were featured in the previous books but nothing happened that left me scratching my head. So go forth and get your MANTIES on, peeps!
Xavier and Trent were high school sweethearts. They planned to attend college together then go on to med school but life happened and Xavier didn't feel like he could leave his family at the time. This wound up hurting them both and caused a rift to form between them.
Twelve years later Trent finds himself at a crossroads and mired in a "mid-life crisis" of sorts subsequent to the suicide of his close friend. He realizes surgery has become the focal point of his life and maybe that's not such a good thing. So he decides to try to win back the heart of the love of his life and make some changes, mainly of getting out of the OR and interacting with patients who are actually conscious.
Xavier is working on becoming an RN when Trent returns and he puts Trent through his paces. It's clear that Trent's leaving was a pivotal moment in his life; it shattered his trust and everyone since has felt the brunt of that mistrust.
One of the things that makes this trope work for me is a slow burn rather than jumping right back in where things left off and not addressing the precipitating event. Jamison did a great job re-establishing their connection, showing their desire for one another and making me believe they belong together.
She also fleshed out both of these characters well showing their personality characteristics. They compliment each other personality wise and both are receptive and responsive to the other's perspective. Xavier also has close familial ties whereas Trent's parents are and have always been distant, so that is yet another way they're good for each other which always resonates with me.
What am I forgetting? Oh! The MANTIES!!!!!!
They were GRRRRRRR-EAT! *growls*
Xavier is big and muscular from his landscaping day job but he likes a lil silk and lace to help him get in touch with his feminine side. He also likes to put on a bit of makeup from time to time. *stumbles* And then he pulls his dreads up in a man bun! *thud*
I wasn't mad at it. At all. Neither was Trent. I so SO like it when there is MANTIES acceptance and appreciation. Nothing worse than MANTIES shaming. Xavier is not shy about what he likes and neither is Trent and their sex was stellar. I particularly liked that scene when the MANTIES got destroyed. Oops. *slow grin*
There are two things I found odd the first being the D/s stuff. All of that was clunky and awkward. I'm not sure how or why Trent believed Xavier was submissive. Maybe because he always bottomed when they were together in high school? I'm not sure but I'm guessing Xavier's 9" cock had something to do with that deal which leads to the second thing I found odd. Xavier can recognize that he's changed over the last twelve years but the concept that Trent could too seems to elude him. His inability to recognize the growth of someone else when he's being smacked in the face with the evidence of that growth seemed incongruous with his intelligence and his character.
Those minor quibbles notwithstanding this is a must read for MANTIES enthusiasts! And the peeps who enjoy second chance romance. And MANTIES enthusiasts!
One to grow on.
A review copy was provided.
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