Private Hearts: River Town Book 1, Grant C. Holland

Two men at a crossroads.  They each have their own road to travel but with an unexpected kiss they might just be able to walk them together.  But secrets and hurt feelings might sink their relationship before it even has a chance to begin.

There was a bit of slightly annoying inconsistency with Brody's reaction to the change in the relationship, though understandable.  Brody tries hinting to Dak that his future, his happily-ever-after worth fighting for is right in front of him but then when he gets the green light he is unsure about the results.  His grief is understandable as well but I'm not sure I truly get the subplot of secrets he's trying to uncover.  The why wasn't really fleshed out and the motivation remains kind of a mystery.  I do see that the information could have opened Brody up to family derision but seeing as how his sexuality was kept between him and only those he felt were close friends and his mom I'm not sure the reasoning holds water.

Dak is fine as the other MC, but his running away when Brody gets ahead of himself their first real morning after instead of doing what he said he'd be willing to do for douche-Lewis isn't right.  And then checking out the other gay guy in the bar?  Not cool.  Sure, it turns out alright in the end with making another friend and introducing someone we'll get to know later in the series, but it doesn't make what Dak did and was contemplating before his tongue betrayed his head okay.  Not a fan of that moment.  What it did was make me doubt Dak and his commitment.  The first to run and put distance and hurt between the man he's supposed to love and trust above all others because of his insecurity?  Yeah, not a fan.  What I did love, however, were his actions on the boat.  The way he took charge of the situation with Leo, his commitment, his determination to be faithful and passionate only for Brody was awesome.

I do think their reunion is sweet and made of tenderness and it goes a little way to making up for the dick move but not all the way.  Friends-to-lovers is always a sweet trope that has its own set of issues to add to and enhance a regular romance story and when done well, the pairing can prove fantastic, strong, and the happiest of happy endings.  This one was on the better end of the middle of the strong pairing scale.  They could be really great but with Dak's lack of communication and Brody's over-the-top enthusiasm that quickly becomes blindly pushing his own agenda they're not as strong as they could be.  On the other hand, they do have some really great moments.  Their passion is high and they match each other there, Dak's shining moment on the boat, Brody's earnestness in his apology and understanding of himself, their encouragement of one another, those things make them shine together.

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