Lost Filthy Night: Kings of Crown Creek Book 2, Vivian Lux

Gone but not forgotten, a night Gage has engraved on his mind but the woman's face is getting hazier and hazier the more time goes by.  Convinced his heart is just as ruined as his body now is, there's no one that can open him to love and loss again.  Except maybe her, the woman who kissed him delirious and ran out into the night before he got her name.  The woman herself is convinced she's not memorable.  While she hasn't forgotten that night, every other day is a reminder that she's utterly forgettable, invisible even.  An accident, a job, a bond.  They are what the other needs but it'll take a lot more than feelings to keep them together.

There are quite a few issues that keep them from having a true relationship.  Gage is an adrenaline junkie, a recovering addict, a stubborn jerk sometimes, and in a place in his life and career that spell huge change.  Everly is struggling for acceptance, love, visibility.  She doesn't want to sacrifice her life for those things but she doesn't really believe she can have it all so she chooses what she can control.  When they find everything they think they need together it's Gage's job and her insecurities that might see them fail before they can make anything between them strong enough to withstand it all.

I liked both Gage and Everly.  Their connection had humor, passion, compassion, understanding, and genuine affection.  Despite the difficulties keeping them apart and their vulnerabilities getting in the way of their forever, they have awesome potential.  When they're first getting to know one another I loved that Gage's usual antics didn't phase Everly.  She had fire and knew what she was doing, those things combined meant that Gage got on the right track for true physical recovery.  My heart ached every time I saw Everly being completely overlooked by everyone.  And when Gage saw her it was real.  He really, completely saw her, acknowledged her presence, gave her the visibility she craved.

That's probably why it hurt so much when he decided that no decision would be his course.  It showed his immaturity and fear and while I can understand why he did it and where he was coming from, it didn't make it any more palatable.  His indecision almost cost him the best thing to ever love him.  It's a good thing Everly cared for him so much that even if he was willing to let them go, she was fiercely protective of his recovery.  And Mother Nature sure seems determined to bring them back together when their pride separates them.  I can only imagine what kind of natural disaster is in store for Beau.

*$2.99 on Amazon!