Review: Do not miss the 3rd in Daisy Harris’ Fire and Rain fantastic series …
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 11, 2014
4.5 of 5 stars~ Review by LeisaFor original review see Prism Book AllianceNothing but Smoke, the third in Daisy Harris’ wonderful Fire and Rain series, is one of those books that you simply cannot put down when you begin reading it. Nicky is a firefighter who is caring for his mother who is dying from ovarian cancer, while he is also suffocating in the closet he’s hiding in. He’s a 29 year old virgin who’s so hungry for human contact and to forget his misery that he hooks up with Michael one night in a park. He and Michael meet again and realize they are each other’s anonymous hookup, and begin secretly seeing each other. Their relationship develops into love, but they must deal with Nicky’s mother’s increasingly poor health, keeping secret from Nicky’s very religious mother that he is gay, and the pressure of Nicky needing more and more support from Michael who struggles with Nicky’s unwillingness to be “out” as a gay couple.This is such a lovely story with real life angst. I’m sure my feelings are influenced by the loss of my own mother two years ago after her long health decline, but I simply fell in love with Nicky. He’s trying so very hard to do the right thing. He takes care of his mother, and he’s suffered socially and financially for doing so. He’s so conflicted and alone. He knows he’s gay, but he’s never told his deeply religious Catholic mother. Michael is equally charming as he tries to be supportive of Nicky even though he has sworn to never get involved with another closeted man after his last closeted boyfriend broke his heart. The portrayal of the relationship between Nicky and Michael is lovely and sexy as they together wade through the muddy waters of their relationship. Michael is an amazing person who puts Nicky’s needs ahead of his own idealism, and Nicky overcomes his fears in order to live honestly as a gay man with Michael.The final scene where Nicky loudly and decisively defends his relationship with Michael, and then talks to his mother who has just died, is so poignant and sad – it’s a real tearful moment. I highly recommend that you grab your tissues, and read Nothing but Smoke. Daisy Harris manages to present a story that is both incredibly sad and hopeful – and it is a story that no one should miss.