Redemption: Hidden Creek Season 4 Book 6, E. Davies

I think I have a serious thing for heartbroken heroes.  Chad has definitely pulled so many awful stunts in his life that redemption is more than just a need, it's a soul-deep desire that he finds within himself.  I adore how hard he works to change himself, that taking responsibility for his actions sets him on a path to finding love, but more than that, he finds the peace and forgiveness only he can give himself.

Jasper rubs me the wrong way at first, not because of his general personality, but because of his underlying motives for taking Chad on with the self-defense class.  I'm always bothered when someone uses other peoples' hate or meanness as an excuse to be just as awful in return.  Setting out to hurt someone because they hurt someone you know, and not because you know what actually went down between them, is appalling to me.  Thankfully Jasper sees very quickly that, beyond their chemistry, there's something sweet, earnest, and so very vulnerable about Chad.  Jasper's own issues throw a wrench in their budding relationship, but at no point does it seem like Jasper is trying to change who Chad fundamentally is, he just has a not-so-great way of helping him which gets painfully misconstrued.  It's when Jasper finally becomes honest with himself and others that I truly enjoy him.

Because of Chad I spent most of the book with tears in my eyes.  It was a bit much to read his negative thoughts over and over, but I can't deny that I was always moved by it.  He was so hurt repeatedly and his self-sabotaging behavior never helped him either, but his yearning for love made him so redeemable for me.  Seeing him evolve into someone capable of standing up for himself and others when it really matters, growing to love himself in spite of what he came from and all the bad things he did...it was beautiful.

The relationship was more of a slow-burn in that it took them longer than expected to find themselves more sensually linked.  Their thoughts were spicy enough, but when they finally got down to clothing removal, the embers had grown hot enough to set of some serious sparks.  In their intimacy they were also able to discover new things about themselves, mainly Chad, and it gave an extra layer of sweetness to his life change.  Overall I was so pleased by the story and all the hope that was there carrying Chad and their relationship.  There's nowhere safer to find their place in life and in love than in Hidden Creek.

*$3.99 on Amazon

“I’ll make up my own mind about you.”

Months after he was mugged in Houston, legal secretary Jasper Barnes is still hiding out in Hidden Creek. Self-defense classes would boost his confidence. Problem is, the guy offering them is Chad Allaback, and he has a reputation, to say the least. So why does Jasper feel an irresistible pull toward him?

Six months after his wakeup call, Chad is too afraid of his past to reach out to those around him in his hometown. Accepting help from Jasper when he finds out he’s about to lose his home is the hardest thing he’s done. Can he really change now?

Self-defense lessons quickly turn into a sizzling, secret connection. When neither man is sure if they can trust their heart to the other, they hit a breaking point all too quickly. It’s going to take a Hidden Creek miracle to heal their scars and find redemption in each other’s arms.