Review: A must read for M/M fans
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 24, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review via the Goodreads Don't Buy My Love program.OMG. I simply could not stop reading this book collection. The complete Impulse Collection features a love story between two adult men, Derrick, a gay man who is a virtual relationship-recluse, and Gavin, a worldly, wealthy, out gay man who is currently single and fearing results of recent HIV testing.The beginning book, INERTIA, is told from Derrick's POV. He is an orphan since age 14, and currently has no remaining family. His brother died in Iraq, and he cared for his grandparents during their illnesses, but they passed on a decade ago. He has one had one girlfriend/sexual partner, LeeAnn, in his whole life and that relationship ended ten years ago, as well. LeeAnn had noticed Derrick's homosexual tendencies, and, while he's never explored, he's confident she was right. Derrick chose to hide himself away, emotionally and sexually, because he can't bear the thought of losing another loved one. He remains friendly with LeeAnn and Devon, his BFF from high school, and an elderly neighbor, only because they have know him his whole adult life, but he is unable to form close friendships easily. Derrick is a handyman, by trade, and he mostly keeps to himself with only a few social outlets.On a custom job to build bookshelves for a new client, Gavin, Derrick is blindsided by Gavin's frank appraisal and sexual flirtation. Having sheltered his heart for so long, Derrick is unable to respond in kind, but repeated calls to repair one or another 'malfunctioning' appliance at Gavin's posh loft leave no doubt of Gavin's intent. And, Derrick reluctantly caves.Unfortunately, Gavin's previous lover, Lukas, had coerced Gavin into unprotected sex, and refused to divulge his HIV status. So far, Gavin's tests have come back negative, but it's only been two months, and six are required for complete "clearance". The idea of falling in with another person who will become ill is overwhelming to Derrick, no matter how attracted he is to Gavin. He actually doesn't care about the HIV, it's more the notion that he will watch another person die that abhors him.Still, Derrick can't stay away. And they really connect. It is a wonderful and soul-achingly excellent match. I just about died from all the tension and release thereof. Also, hot sex? Here. But, it's all protected so we don't agonize for Derrick's safety.The second book, ACCELERATION, is exactly that. First meetings of friends, Derrick coming out publicly. The new stresses being a couple. Derrick tells this story, again, and it's a great insight. He's so used to caring for others, to controlling everything around him, that exposing even the slightest vulnerability is a huge leap of faith for him. Gavin is, at times, frustrated with Derrick's emotional strength and reserve. Particularly, when Derrick is being harassed by a hockey teammate for being gay. Derrick just wants to ignore these problems, but Gavin makes him face them, again making Derrick uncomfortable with the vulnerability of the situation.Also, we pass the three month HIV test with flying colors, but there's new cause for worry--Lukas confesses to having been a rentboy in college, and later, while still refusing to get tested--upping the chances that Gavin's infected.Regardless, Derrick and Gavin spend weeks together, building what seems to be a solid relationship. They do have a blow up, and it's reasonable that they need some time apart. Doing so only cements their strong bond, however. The sex? Molten. Seems delicious Gavin is a bit of a Dom. And, our control-freak Derrick is more than happy to lay those burdens down now and again. Dom/sub acts did not require the use of any outside tools/toys.The third book, VELOCITY, brings an even faster pitch--as well as Gavin's voice to the POV. The chapters don't exactly alternate, but there are many told from Gavin's perspective. Lukas is back, chipping away at Gavin's confidence, trying to lure him away from Derrick. This especially insidious because he claims to be HIV positive, and with weeks to Gavin's six month deadline, he preys upon Gavin's fears that Derrick will abandon him. Or worse, that he'll infect his beloved partner. My god, the tension is so high! I couldn't stop turning the pages.I will not give out the end, but I will say the pace never lets up. And, that I thoroughly loved this trilogy. And, I'm completely unsettled after reading it. Not because the ending isn't fantastic, but because I am so frustrated that my time with Derrick and Gavin is now up and I don't want to move on, dang it! I love these guys. They're freaking awesome. The sex? Ah-freaking-mazing. Just. The. Best. Really.There are so many heart strings pulled, I think I might have internal damage. I really agonized with Gavin as his waiting game played out. And Derrick is so steadfast and confident. He committed his whole heart, long before he knew--because that was his way. He never once considered not being there for Gavin, because he loved him, and he would never abandon someone he loved.