Blaze: Homecoming Hearts Book 5, H.J. Welch

When Corey Sheppard rescues Reyse Hickson's phone they find more than just a good deed met with gratitude.  But Reyse's "minders" aren't about to let a little thing like his happiness have anything to do with the stunning pizza delivery guy, any guy for that matter.  Becoming increasingly morose watching all his former band-mates and friends find their forever loves, Reyse decides to take a chance on Corey.  They forge a deeper connection while on a trip together to visit Reyse's hospitalized father but happiness in the shadows never lasts.  It isn't long before prying eyes, and cameras, capture more than they wanted to reveal and everything falls apart.  Fear and the truth collide and it'll take courage and determination to stand up and claim their future, but only if they can decide that what they have is worth it.

My heart went out to Reyse right from the start.  He was so sad!  Like, a true melancholy but with none of the bitterness.  He loves his former band-mates so much but seeing them from the outside not only makes him feel like he's on the outside looking in, it makes him ache to see them all fully able to embrace their sexuality and the people they've fallen in love with.  His beard is one of his closest friends and he can't hide his feelings from her but with his record label and manager making it impossible for them to end their charade he falls deeper into a hole he's not sure he can ever crawl out of.  The way he was with Corey was both sad and sweet.  Sad to know what he has to live through but his honesty and earnestness is so sweet.  I do feel that it went on for far too long, though, that he became less vulnerable, a strong yet sorrowful character and became a pushover and apologetic for his very existence.  A little too Debbie Downer before his aunt came to pluck him up and out of his misery.

Corey was a little different.  Making no apologies for who he is and what he wants, he's the complete opposite of Reyse.  They made a great pair.  And his understanding for needing to be kept a secret was actually refreshing.  He understood and respected it and didn't become bitter, hurt, or angry that Reyse had his hands tied.  When push came to shove though, he ran and let his own insecurities keep him from who he wanted and what he knew he was capable of.  What he did when he was at loose ends was brilliant.  He took control of his own future by asking himself the hard questions about what he wanted that future to look like and began making something of his life to reflect what he learned about who he could really be.

The ending was big and happy and full of feels.  I was a bit astonished by such a positive reunion.  Honestly I was expecting something a bit more like what's more often used with expressing resentment and hurt and the need for groveling before forgiveness is even thought of.  Instead, there was honesty, happiness, and hope.  The big question came from the perfect person and I was charmed by the simplicity of it.  It was perfect for the characters and the story.  Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the story and am now very curious about all the other couples since this was the first book of the series I've read...a little backwards, I know.

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