The Redemption of River: Sex in Seattle Book 4, Eli Easton

After leaving the series on such a fantastic high note with incredible depth and connection and understanding between James and Michael in The Mating of Michael, I wasn't sure River's story could match it.  But those concerns were pretty much obliterated because it came damn, damn close to being just as awesome.  In some ways I liked it more, because dogs and raw healing, but the relationship between James and Michael still wins a bit more for me.

Moving beyond grief is hardly ever an easy thing and for someone like Brent it was so much worse because not only did he suffer while watching his wife suffer, he unknowingly took her pain into himself.  His loss of libido was the least of his worries at first, but when it begins to concern his friends and himself he seeks out our favorite clinic and finds a lot more than his missing libido.

"...What did you do to me, Mr. McKay?"
"Love you, maybe? Yeah. I think I just loved you. With everything that I am."

River has a love/let-go (not hate) relationship with his mother and it bleeds into not only his actions, but in his own perception of himself.  That self-sabotage lasts a little too long for me, but no life-altering realization comes quickly or easily and the writing really makes it easy to forgive how long it takes to get River home.  His homecoming is rather wonderful with a humorous moment followed by vulnerability and a plea for forever that really hit me in the feels.

Even though it's Brent that begins our story, the true transformation is in River.  He's held on to his mother's insistent idea of who and what they are that he needs to realize what he has by nearly giving it up.  I'm not usually a fan of separations between lovers once they feel as deeply as Brent and River do, but it really was an important part of River shedding his blinders and realizing what's most important.  Seeing that what he needs above anything else is waiting for him in Seattle takes a little push and some supremely wise insight from Harrison, a fabulously gay octogenarian and friend.

"...whatever it is I've been searching for, it's not out there.  It's not with some guru.  What I've been searching for...is you."

With the grand gesture being made by the right person, a couple that absolutely belongs together, along with some interaction with the other men of the series I've come to love, and a perfectly fitting end and this book is a winner.  How could it not win with its depth of feels, interesting characters, intense and steamy intimate moments, and a wonderfully happy ending?

*$4.99 on Amazon

River Larsen is a world traveler, truth-seeker, and tantric healer.  He's a master of loving all—and no one.  Both his past and his spiritual path warn him against attachment.  When he falls for his surrogacy client and coffee magnate, Brent McKay, River tells himself it's a temporary idyll, a beautiful encounter they'll both enjoy and move on from like mature adults.  Only his heart misses that memo.

Brent McKay hasn't been interested in sex since his wife died two years ago.  When he goes to Expanded Horizons sex clinic in Seattle for help, he meets River Larsen, a sex surrogate specializing in reiki massage and tantric sex therapy.  Brent never expected to be interested in a man, but River's light-filled spirit, inner peace, and electric touch bring him back to life.  Brent's loyal heart is ready to commit again.  But how can he convince River that love can last forever—if you just have faith?

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