This is a very well written and satisfying, second chance romance read.

Blake Carson and Alex Martin were childhood sweethearts until Alex suddenly disappeared.

Unbeknown to Blake, Alex was sent to a conversion therapy centre, and remained there until he turned 18.

Though the book does deal to some degree with the aftermath of the abuse Alex suffered it is not the main theme of the story.

We pick up their accidental reunion, when Blakes looks at a photograph display in the window of a gallery.  He is coerced inside by a larger-than-life woman, who we later find out she is Alex’s agent and friend.

We follow their reunion, and it is soon clear that these two are destined to be together. Absence certainly made their hearts grow fonder.  Both characters have insecurities, especially Alex, which we see them work out without any real angst.

Alex has used his bad experiences to build his strength, yes, he still suffers from PTSD, which is triggered after their reunion.

There are many parts of this story, one of my favourite scenes is when Alex gets to put his father to rights, especially when he tells him that he is still gay and is back with Blake. It was poetic justice, and I could imagine the steam coming from Alex’s Father.

I also loved Joey, a young orphan that Blake has worked on a case of abusive foster parents.  The young man and Blake form a strong bond. And Blake contemplates fostering Joey himself.

This is a strong feel-good story, with real characters.  Though it deals with Alex’s PTSD, and Joey’s abusive Forster family.  It does it in such a way that you are rooting for these guys and by the end of the book, you are left feeling happy that they finally get their happily ever after.

This is a very well written and satisfying, second chance romance read.