Review: Read This As A Standalone
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2014
*Jen's Review*OMG what a story! I lived it, breathed it and completely fell in love with this book and this author.  Melissa Collins has definitely gained a new fan because I am hooked.I have to admit this is the very first book from Melissa Collins that I’ve read, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that I had the opportunity to read this one. I really loved her writing style, the story flowed perfectly and I love it when a book just sucks me in where I end up reading it all in one sitting because there is no way I can put it down. Melissa really wrote a beautiful story about 3 men who have lived through some horrible things that no one should ever have to endure. For one his ending is absolutely tragic and heartbreaking, the other two eventually come out happily on the other end stronger than ever.In the beginning of this story we get Shane and Dylan’s story. We get to see how their relationship developed from best friends to lovers. We get to see in depth everything that transpired with Shane. There were times where it was just so hard to read through Shane’s despair and depression. Since I haven’t read the other books I had no idea what was going to happen. I wanted him to have his HEA, I wanted him to break away and finally be able to live his life happy and free but unfortunately Melissa had other plans. My heart broke and I shed a few tears for all that could have been but wasn’t.After Dylan has lost the one person in the world that ever really mattered to him. He finds himself going through the motions of everyday life but he isn’t really living. Just existing has become the norm for him. Guilt, heartbreak and his memories keep him from ever really finding the happiness he deserves. Moving on is just something he can’t fathom happening. He loves his friends, loves his job but his future is looking very bleak and lonely. Ever since Shane, he’s been closed off, not letting anyone get close to him because losing another person would just completely break him where he wouldn’t survive it. My heart broke over and over for him. I wanted to climb into my kindle and wrap my arms around this beautiful man.The second half of the book we see Dylan trying to come to terms with everything that has happened throughout his life.  It’s only when he meets Conner where he really starts to realize that just existing isn’t something he wants to do anymore but he doesn’t know how to move past all the pain that consumes his heart.Conner has suffered some heartbreak too. Being a professional MMA fighter was everything to him but after he has a life altering injury he is forced to start over. Starting up his own gym, Conner is determined to rebuild his life. Conner is more than just a bad boy, he’s loving, caring and honest. When his eyes set upon Dylan he is consumed with needing to know him.After they spend some time together, Conner quickly see’s that Dylan’s scares run deep and he wants nothing more than to be there for him. Dylan on the other hand is so stuck in the past and his guilt that he has a hard time letting Conner in. He desperately wants him but he’s so afraid of getting hurt again.I love the pace Melissa set with this budding relationship.  Each step they took forward was a big deal for both of them and I love how they both could see what it meant for the other as they opened up to one another. I really enjoyed the secondary characters that I met throughout this book as well. I’m looking forward to going back in the series and starting it from the beginning so I can really get to know them a lot more.My emotions were running wild throughout this story. I really loved how we got to see Dylan’s past in the first half of the book. Especially for someone who hasn’t started the series from the beginning. His heartbreak is so great that seeing what transpired painted such a clearer picture on why Dylan was the way he is now. It just made it that much more meaningful  watching how Conner broke past every barrier Dylan had surrounding him. If you are in love with the m/m genres but haven’t read the first 4 books in this series don’t let that deter you from picking this one up. If you have read the first 4 books then you NEED to read this one because getting to really know Shane, Dylan and Conner is an experience you don’t want to miss out on. I really hope Melissa considers writing more m/m in the future.**received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher in exchange for honest review**