Second Song: Sugarhouse Blues Book 1, Edie Danford

Written as if this whole story were a song, the story is very beautifully framed and sometimes motivations are slightly obscured in the prose. But what comes through is love, all kinds of love, and that carries the stories, the men, the families that share an incredible connection.

There were quite a few times that I felt like I could skim because it was taking a really long time to say certain things, to do something, or to actually get somewhere. It was a very, very slow-burn romance. At first I felt a little annoyed by that, but I think the time between their real-life connection and their re-connection with romantic intent was necessary. Kind of an 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' thing. But even then things weren't really emotionally smooth sailing. It wasn't until nearly the end when Antonio has a forced heart-to-heart with his sister-in-law that he finally jumps in with Sage with both feet and no reservations. I didn't see the reason for his fear and hesitation before that point and while I think it fit and made sense, it was a bit out of left field and seemed a little forced when I think Antonio just needed to stop making romantic decisions for Sage and for them without Sage.

Except when we get to the epilogue I'm completely won over. It was so sweet and pretty much perfection for the couple and the entire family.

I'm not opposed to a whole lot of family involvement in a story, especially one like this where without them both men's situation and hearts necessitate their family support. Did it need every interaction with the kids? Probably not, but it made Sage and Antonio a little softer for me and I liked it. It definitely added to the length of the story though as well as depth to all their complications both on their own and together.

This was a long read for me and I enjoyed quite a lot of it. The themes and feels made it worth reading and I wouldn't be opposed to getting Shiloh's story because I'm wondering just what kind of person will be the perfect foil to all his glittery, jittery hardness and vulnerability.

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A wounded singer's second act. A bodyguard's chance at redemption. Two wounded souls find healing in love's sweetest song.

After a brutal attack killed his bodyguard and left his voice permanently damaged, superstar singer Sage Hazen retreated to his Vermont home, unsure he'd ever perform again. Four years later, Sage is testing the waters with a new act, and there's just one man he trusts to handle security--Antonio Callan, his former bodyguard's brother.
For Antonio, touring backwoods Vermont is the wrong gig at the wrong time. Still, it's only right to help the wounded kid his brother died protecting. But a week into the job, Antonio feels more helpless than heroic--and it's his heart that's at greatest risk. 
The more time they spend in close quarters, the harder it becomes to ignore the sparks flaring between them. Turns out protecting two wounded hearts from love is an impossible job. And harmonizing two very different lives will demand a brand-new take on courage.