Radical Hearts: Deviant Hearts Book 2, A.E. Ryecart

Lee is secretive, controlled, dark, and severe when we meet him in Captive Hearts.  But with a complete life change and a low moment during a downpour, he finds a surprise that just could maybe bring light and peace into his life.  I liked Lee quite a lot in this story.  He did seem like a completely different person, however, from the man we met before.  There wasn't a true seamlessness between who we met and who we're reintroduced to.  Both men are worthy of love, worthy of true freedom and future, but whether they really are the same person is debatable.  What I will say about this new Lee is that there's a captivating amount of softness and vulnerability in him.

Dominic instinctively knew that there was something inside of Lee that was worth getting to know.  His eagerness and inner strength in addition to his youth and self-assurance made for an intriguing package that drew Lee in just as strongly.  Their interactions were well-balanced and their connection was strong right from the start.  The lives they'd both lived up to this point gave them each the tools necessary to provide a safe place for both of their hearts.  Each one could open up about their pain and frustrations and while surprised at the acceptance both men displayed, they were both relieved that their fears of rejection were quashed.

The drama that surrounded both men was both a surprise and a bit predictable.  I could feel that there was going to be a helluva huge family connection drama, especially since that was the source of so much pain for one of the men, but the more intense drama surrounding the Save Charlie movement was what surprised me.  It was big, violent, scary, and the hints and intimations all throughout prepared us for the who, but definitely not the final confrontation.

Despite the high level of drama that surrounded and guided many of Dominic and Lee's interactions, there's an undeniable chemistry and compatibility between the men.  There's also an incredible amount of tenderness between them that I wasn't expecting.  I loved these two men and rooted for them the entire time, even when they fell back into old coping habits.  There was a future for them that could bring them both true healing and a sense of peace that will sustain them far beyond what they could have ever achieved on their own.  From the start we knew these men would have a hard road to travel to get their HEA and while that road was certainly littered with blockades and potholes, they made it through to the other side together.  It was intense yet tender amongst all the crazy they had to live through.

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