Risk

by Baylin Crow

[Eve1972]

 
 
~WRITING - PLOT - PACE~
This is the second book by this author that I have had the pleasure of reading. And, the second book that I have enjoyed immensely. I don't often get to read many M/M books (even though I love them), so this made for a nice change of pace for me. The writing was stellar. It was well paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. It was told in a dual POV format. It features the gay for you trope. Last, it was all wrapped up in a very sweet happy for now ending.


~HEROES~
I adored both Asher and Drew. They were both sweet guys. Drew had a difficult past, and he was working hard to get his life back on track. Asher seemed to have it all, except to have everything he wanted he had to hide who he really was. I was surprised and impressed by how Drew just accepted his being attracted to Asher when he was never attracted to a man before. Oh sure he was confused, but he didn't push Asher away or play games. Asher had his own issues, and I wanted to smack him upside his head at one point, but I couldn't help to fall in love with him.


 

~SECONDARY CHARACTERS~
There were a few interesting side characters in this one. I really liked Claire, Drew's BFF. I also really liked Drew's Aunt Maggie and Uncle Pete (although I wanted to smack Pete for not believing Drew). We also get to briefly meet Asher's BFF, Blake, and one of the other fighters that train with Asher (Brock). None of them really play HUGE parts in the book, but they all added some good depth to the overall plot.


~HEAT LEVEL~
Low to Medium. This was a pretty slow burn in my opinion, which I usually don't love, but in this instance, it worked very well. The sex scenes we do get were suitably hot, and this couple had very good on page chemistry.


~ANGST LEVEL - SEXUAL HISTORIES~
Lowish...I didn't find this one particularly angsty per se. This couple had a lot of obstacles to deal with so that caused some issues. Asher's need to keep things secret added to it as well. Neither were virgins, although Drew never had sex with a man prior to Asher. That said, he did get around with the ladies a lot (lol). Asher didn't appear to be a manwhore but did have the occasion hook up with OM. There wasn't really any OW or OM drama. Asher goes out on dates with women to keep his player image intact, but he doesn't like doing it and never does anything with them.


~IN THE END~
I enjoyed this a lot. It was well written and well paced. The plot was engaging. It was sweet. It was sexy. It had feels. It had a nice cast of secondary characters, and both main characters were very likable. Therefore yours truly is going to give this one two solid thumbs up.