Brokenhearted

\"There is no peace, though, is there? Rest in peace is one big fucking cosmic joke, because you’re gone and everyone else is left to pick up the goddamn broken pieces that shattered all over the fucking place.\"
My heartstrings tugged, painfully, for Oliver when Mack showed up at his doorstep and told him about his sister, Maggie. The sister, hell the only family Oliver ever even knew he had. I could completely understand Oliver's desire to visit Hope Cove to try to learn about his sister. I would've gone in the same situation. And it was desperately obvious that deep down Oliver has always longed for a family.
In the beginning, Mack throws Oliver for a loop. He assumes he's straight, he assumes he was in love with Maggie, but you know how assumptions go. Maggie and Mack were like brother and sister, not lovers. And something about Oliver is making Mack feel things he's never felt before. Oh, he's had a random thought or two about guys over the years, but he's only ever been with women. It doesn't take long before the heat ratchets up, and the feelings, too.
I envied Oliver finding his place in Hope Cove. Most people never find that, or their soul mates, so finding both is remarkable. There's a part of me that always wanted to live in a small town where everyone knew you, but then there's a part that is grateful for all the moving I did and the new opportunities. But for Oliver there's a coming home feeling, and he struggles with his decision of staying or leaving.
\"He felt like he had changed since arriving in Hope Cove, as if the little coastal town had burrowed under his skin and rearranged who he was. He was falling in love with the place and the people in it, some more than others.\"
There's so much beauty in this story. The writing is lyrical, the characters are strong and vulnerable, and the story line is all about finding love and family, in the most unlikely of places. A book I can readily, and easily, recommend.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews

I really liked Keeping Sweets by this author so I was excited when I heard another one of her books was coming out. I didn't like this quite as much as \"Keeping Sweets\" but it was still a pleasant read.
The theme is a cute one that gets me every time: A gay man finding acceptance and love in a small town (cue \"awwwwws\"). These types of stories just make my heart do a happy dance! The setting was sweet and New Englandy and I was expecting a great story. However, it had a few flaws that knocked this one down a couple of stars.
Oliver is a likable MC (who doesn't like a hot chef?) and I thought that he had good chemistry with Mack, but he was prone to miscommunications more often than I cared for. Mack... ugh I wish we had his side of the story as well. This book could have really benefited from a duel POV. I also had some issues with the GFY/OFY aspect of the story. I actually thought that it read false- too confident and practiced for my liking. However, I really enjoyed the side characters. Haydn (that spelling killed me but I guess it is after the composer) and Jeremy were strong and I think that Haydn will make a great MC for the next in the series.
Though this book had some problems for me (pacing, character issues), the plot-line resonated with me and I liked it overall.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

If you like a comfort read with a little sadness, a lot of love and personable characters, you’ll love this book. It’s well written and a good story. The sex doesn’t overwhelm the story, there is instant attraction but there is not an instant HEA by a long shot. It’s a long, difficult road to happiness for this couple.
This is the first book of a trilogy but nothing concerning the main characters is left hanging. This could be a solo read but the secondary characters are so loveable I’ve already bought and read the next two.