Review: A short, poignant read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 28, 2014
This is the first one of the Bayou boys series I have read and, though it is the 4th book, it was easy to start here.Rusty and Sean are returning to New Orleans from their new home in Boston to celebrate Christmas with Rusty's family. As a newly engaged couple, they are learning to deal with the strains of adulthood and the emotional scars Sean still carries over his father's abuse and rejection.Both men have their fears--Rusty's afraid that Sean won't be able to cope, and Sean's afraid he can't open up to Rusty's loving family, despite his months in counseling.  See, these young men have a long history. They've been friends and lovers since age 14, and Sean lived with Rusty's family since his father kicked him out at age 16. Sean hasn't felt worthy of anyone's love--but he's trying to get past all that.Going home is bound to be traumatic. And it is, for both men. Rusty's expectation of being in the center of the plans are thwarted leaving him disappointed. All the inconveniences of being a house guest in his childhood home really drive in the message that his true home is back in Boston with Sean.Sean breaks free of his usual somber mood, embracing--emotionally and physically--the love that Rusty's family showers on him. It almost makes Rusty frustrated, thinking that Sean may not need him any longer--a small but poignant crisis. And Rusty's right with Sean when he makes an overture to the family who shut him out. It's a much merrier Christmas than even Rusty had hoped to find.Of course, Rusty's a bit stunned to recognize all the little differences in his new adult life, and in the end both men understand that home is where your love lives--and for them, that's Boston.It's a short read, absolutely packed with emotional drama and the happy ending that you only find with your love by your side. I really enjoyed it. Not too much on the smexytimes, (one scene) with lots of innuendo and mornings-after.I received a review copy of this book via Goodreads Don't Buy My Love program.