Perilous Hearts: Deviant Hearts Book 3, AE Ryecart

Getting out of an abusive relationship can often become more difficult than anticipated.  Jamie has help and support in his best friend, Ed, and with his care and concern Jamie begins to live his life again.  Watching them navigate the tricky waters of second chances and friends becoming more, Jamie and Ed show just how much they rely on one another, just how deeply their hearts have always been connected.  I enjoyed them when they finally got on the same page.  What was harder to watch was Jamie's stubborn refusal to set appropriate boundaries at the same time as accepting the help that was offered.  While they eventually got it together and worked things out, I struggled with how long it took to get there.

Jamie and Ed were made for one another and their friendship was truly incredible.  I loved watching Ed's support despite swallowing his feelings for Jamie.  It's obvious that his first real foray into love and commitment crashed and burned, so his fear of trusting his heart to someone else was believable, and yet he couldn't help his deep affection for Jamie.  Timing was just not on their side over and over again, but when Ed finally offered everything to Jamie it was so sweet and simple that I cheered when they finally took the plunge. 

Jamie was hard for me to connect with right from the start, unfortunately.  At virtually every turn he shut out those that could help him, those that could truly love him the way he craved, and ran headlong into difficult situations.  His desperate need to be independent cut him off at the knees and put him in harm's way over and over again and I found myself continually disappointed by his behavior.  I did feel that he could be the best partner for Ed, but it took me nearly the entire book to warm up to him as an individual.

Ed's paranoia turned out to be legitimate and while appreciative of the Devil's advocate position Lee took with his concerns, it bothered me that that became the focus rather than making strides to find out who was covertly tormenting Jamie.  On the other hand, Lee really did have a life of his own and can't drop everything each time Ed has a concern.  In that way, I couldn't argue with how events proceeded.  Overall, though, the way the plot was pushed forward was the most difficult thing to enjoy because it made Jamie seem weak, Ed seem paranoid, and Lee seem unhelpful.  None of those things were actually true, but I don't think that was articulated as best it could have been.

The ending was sweet and full of healing in an alternative way that didn't include counseling.  I felt it worked quite well since everyone's coping and healing paths are different.  It was refreshing and fitting and so full of hope.  Jamie and Ed found their happiness and a way to move forward together and heal from all the pain their tormentors caused.

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You can lock your door, but can you lock your heart?

Finding the courage to end his relationship with his manipulative and vicious boyfriend, Jamie Wheeler turns to his close friend Ed Corrigan to help him get his life back on track.

Jamie and Ed have been inseparable for years, and all it would take is a small step to cross the divide from friends to lovers.

It would be the biggest mistake they could make.

Jamie seeks the security of a settled long-term relationship, but Ed vows never to put his heart on the line again after a devastating betrayal. Anything beyond friendship is a risk, and could break them forever.

As Jamie’s vindictive ex causes trouble from the side-lines, a face from the past makes an unwelcome return. Jamie’s life isn’t getting back on track, it’s coming off the rails, as a series of seemingly random events lead to only one of two conclusions: either somebody’s playing a dark and sinister game, or Jamie’s losing his mind.

Tensions rise and danger approaches, drawing Jamie and Ed closer than ever.  But time is running out as they race to discover not only what is happening, and why, but also what they truly mean to each other.

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