A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Daisiemae
Jessica Freely is quickly becoming a must read author for me. I’ve read several of her books, and every one of them have pulled at my heartstrings. Her sensual and easy style of writing is really appealing to me. Her books are always fast paced and she writes characters that are not only fascinating; they’re sexy as well! So, I wasn’t really surprised when I read her latest book, Hero, and liked it too.
David is a lonely man. Although, he loves his job at the bookstore, he doesn’t really have much of a life outside of work. David is a kind man and is always concerned about others. If he has any extra money (which is rare) or food left over from lunch, he will give it to anyone in need. There is one homeless man that pulls at David’s heartstrings, but he’s too afraid to really do more than say a few words to him. He just gives what he can to the man, smiles and walks off.
One night after work, David is jumped by a street gang. Soon, it become apparent that the gang not only means to beat him up, but rape him as well, David loses all hope of getting away or someone stepping in to help him out.
Suddenly, the homeless man he’s helped in the past steps in and counter attacks the gang members and saves David from a horrible fate. David is shocked and relieved that the man has helped him, and he becomes insistent that the man comes home with him so David can feed him a hearty meal and at least give him a warm bed for the night.
Seth has made it a habit to follow David every night after work, so he will arrive home safe. So, jumping in and saving David from the gang members was really a no brainer for him. David has always been nice, shy and friendly to him so it was an honor to protect David. Seth is surprised when David insists that he come home with him. Soon, Seth showered, fed and given warm clothes to wear. Such kindness is unusual for Seth, and he vows to always look out for the young David.
As the men get to know one another, a strong emotional bond forms between them. Will they be able to see past their differences and find a way to be together? Will Seth be able to deal with his mysterious past so he can have a happy future with David?
I really liked this book. I thought the storyline was fast paced and very interesting. Like David, I was intrigued with Seth and I was heartbroken from all of the things he’s been through in his life. I thought that David and Seth were very well matched and I was really happy to see the men decide to work through the issues they have and be together.
One slight issue I had with the book was David’s sudden willingness to sleep with Seth. David is a virgin and had just escaped being brutally raped by the gang, and he wants to make love with Seth very soon after his attack. That bothered me because I didn’t think that was very appropriate, BUT I also understand that David and Seth immediately formed strong feelings for each other. So in a way, I understand why David would want Seth to be with him so he could block out the bad feelings of the attack. Also, I thought maybe he did this because David is ready to start living. He’s tired of living through books and being lonely. I think he might have seen this as an opportunity to be with the sweet and loving Seth, so he decided to take it. I DID appreciate the bond the two men formed together and the strong chemistry they had between them.
One of my favorite things about the book is the way David and Seth really brought out the best in each other. I love how they loved each other. Their support and encouragement to each other was a beautiful thing to read. I really liked both heroes and I hated to see the book come to an end.
For more information about other books written by Jessica and about the author herself, Ms. Freely has a very informative website and fun blog. Here is the link if you are interested: http://www.friskbiskit.com
Aug 09, 2010 | 978-1-60737-825-9
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for Hero
Genre: LGBT Contemporary
Length: Novella
Series Note: Hero Features the characters from Rust Belt and was previously released elsewhere.
David is lonely, bored, and a virgin. He lives through books, but fears life is passing him by. Then one night he's attacked by a gang and rescued by a real-life hero. Sexy, mysterious Seth seems to have stepped right off the pages of an adventure novel. Yet he has no place to call home. When David invites him in, a thank you dinner escalates into passion, and Seth makes all David's pent-up fantasies come true.
Seth wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his life loving and protecting David, but his brutal past makes that impossible. Just being around Seth puts David at risk and Seth will stop at nothing to keep him safe, even if it means breaking his heart.
David is determined to keep Seth off the streets and in his bed, but all is not as it seems. Seth has terrible scars he won't talk about, and sometimes, he wakes up in the night screaming. When David discovers Seth is linked to a murder, he's determined to learn the truth, but he may find out more than he wants to know. How far is David willing to go to rescue his hero?
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices.
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