Love is Heartless Love Can't Series, Book 2
LGBT, Contemporary, Gay, Romance, Mystery
Dreamspinner Press; 1 edition
January 13, 2017
256
Small but mighty—that could be Detective Nevin Ng’s motto. Now a dedicated member of the Portland Police Bureau, he didn’t let a tough start in life stop him from protecting those in need. He doesn’t take crap from anyone, and he doesn’t do relationships. Until he responds to the severe beating of a senior citizen and meets the victim’s wealthy, bow-tied landlord.
Property manager and developer Colin Westwood grew up with all the things Nevin never had, like plenty of money and a supportive, loving family. Too supportive, perhaps, since his childhood illness has left his parents unwilling to admit he’s a strong, grown man. Colin does do relationships, but they never work out. Now he’s thinking maybe he won’t just go with the flow. Maybe it’s time to try something more exciting. But being a witness to a terrible crime—or two—was more than he bargained for.
Despite their differences, Colin and Nevin discover that the sparks fly when they’re together. But sparks are short-lived, dampened by the advent of brutal crimes, and Colin and Nevin have seemingly little in common. The question is whether they have the heart to build something lasting.
Available at Amazon.
Reviewed by Xanthe
Member of The Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Love is something that both Nevin Ng and Colin yearn for, though one of them would never admit it. Two men, different in every way, come together and become something that the other needs.
Nevin works for the Police in the department for Vulnerable Adults and Elderly People. As a young teen, he protected someone in need and was then set on the path he walks today by an officer who took the time to listen. A rough childhood means the only person he calls family is Ford, his foster brother and closest friend, and then Jeremy, from Love Can’t Conquer, probably his only other friend. He is very much a once and done kind when it comes to sexual relations. Trust is so hard for him to give but Colin may just break through his walls even though he’s very protective of himself and feels the need to keep others out.
Colin is truly a man after my own heart! A cat called Legolas, binge watching Firefly and Harry Potter t-shirts. Due to a childhood illness, he puts up with an overprotective mother who can’t let go of the ill child he once was though he’s now turned into a very capable adult. He dreams of his one true love and though he knows of Nevin’s history and thoughts on relationships, it doesn’t stop him becoming attached and wanting the other man to feel loved.
The relationship aspect of the story moves along very well. I’d say it’s kind of a slow burn as Nevin takes time to do anything with Colin, especially anything that involves something other than just sex, something he’s never done before. My heart really went out to him as he really struggles to deal with the emotions that he’s feeling when it comes to the other man and things are changing for his friends around him as well, making him feel like he’s being left behind, again. Colin remains hopeful but also realistic with respect to Nevin and the possibility of anything more with him. It’s always a nice surprise when they move a step forward. I enjoyed how their relationship progressed. It’s very much at Nevin’s pace and Colin remains understanding, showing his caring nature and how much he thinks of the other man.
There is drama and mystery involving the elderly people that Colin has volunteered to visit and found missing or dead. It becomes Nevin’s case and something that remains a mystery until close to the end of the book. Its obvious Nevin cares for all of the people that he deals with on his cases, wanting to do his best to help them all, whether it’s solving their case or moving them to a better situation than they were in.
The time frame of this books actually starts several months before Love Can’t Conquer, book one, and carries on after as well. It all flows well, focusing on important events for both men in both their relationship and the mystery plot of the book. I enjoyed the interaction we had with secondary characters, getting to meet up with Jeremy again and meeting both character’s families. They are hugely supportive, and Colin’s father gives an impressive speech to Nevin on his feelings regarding Colin’s sexuality.
I enjoyed all aspects of this book, it drew me in to the characters easily, especially after meeting Nevin in book one. The mystery of the story gives you false leads and little information, but I was invested in the outcome of that as it not only hurt/killed people but really affected and involved Colin.
A story that I would recommend to those who love a contemporary romance with a mystery aspect. Nevin is a character who is in strong need of love and Colin is the perfect man to give it.