Review: Unparalleled
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 27, 2014
It may come as a surprise to some of you, but I have loved each and every one of the 'Sinners' books and characters equally. Until now. Within a few pages I knew that Forest was going to be my favorite and would hold a special place in my heart that Damien and Miki don't. I love Miki and Damien, no doubt about it. But, Miki is so wounded, so troubled, so untrusting of love…completely understandable considering his upbringing, but it makes it harder for me to connect with him, and Damien doesn't seem to ever really need anyone, regardless that he loves Sionn and Miki. Forest, though? He may have been a street rat and he may have prostituted himself for food or a place to sleep, but Forest needs love and he wants love so much that he breaks my heart at every turn. Either that, or I'm just glad Bridgid finally gets a son-in-law who soaks up her love and attention. Cause that woman scares me as much as she does everyone else!"'But you keep giving me food,' the kid pointed out through a mouthful of meat and fries. 'You gotta want something.''Maybe I just don't want you out on the street.''Yeah, right, because everyone's just lining up to take other people's kids. Whatcha want? Blow or hand?' Forest yanked at the air with his fist. 'I'm better with my hand. I can't throat it right, but I'm working on it.'The kid's words hit Frank hard, and he blinked, unsure about what to do with the lump in his throat. 'Tell you what, kid. How'd you like a job? I need some help in the studio."That was the day that Frank, an old hippie rocker who owns a recording studio and a coffee shop, saves Forest's life and gives him a reason to make something of it. And it is Frank, inadvertently, who brings Connor into Forest's life when Connor is the SWAT officer who pulls Frank's body out of the flames of his RV. It's there on the blacktop watching the RV burn and the silent ambulance take Frank away, that Connor feels something for a man, and it rocks him to the core. Connor is the oldest of the Morgan children and he's always thought his life would follow a path much like his da's, Donal. Go to college. Enter the police academy. Buy a house. Get married. Have kids. Meeting Forest changes all of that and leaves Connor very confused.Yes, there is a mystery in this book, just as there was in each of the previous books. However, for me, personally, that part of the story isn't nearly as interesting as the merging of these two incredible characters. Connor is so responsible, so intent on living up to Donal's image, that when he finally sits down and spills his heart to his da, it brought tears to my eyes. Donal is the father every child should have. His gentleness, his compassion, and the sheer force of his love for family is unparalleled. Once Connor accepts he's in love with Forest, with a man, there's no backing away for him. He's in, 100 percent. Forest had a crap upbringing with a mom who used him as a commodity until he got away. Doesn't seem to stop the little boy inside of him from wanting her to love him. So, he has no concept of family like the Morgans. He just knows that deep down he wants Connor and the love he's never before had.Did I love this book? DUH! I've loved each of them and for very different reasons. But Forest is still my favorite. At least until I see what Rhys brings me for the next installment. *grins* Which, by the way, the author left us on a cliffhanger at the end here regarding the next couple. And, for those interested, yes, there's some murder going on here - it wouldn't be a Rhys Ford book without some death, but she kept it mild, thank goodness, as Parker still gives me bad dreams. I love the Morgans and I loved the scenes with Miki, Damien, and Forest. Those guys blend and it's awesome to see. Thank you, my Rhys…you're still my hero.