Analyzing Emory by Lily Grace

Title:  Analyzing Emory

Author:  Lily Grace

Genre: Contemporary

Length:  Novel (236 pages)

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (January 4, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥4.25Hearts

Blurb:  When a family friend offers him the job of resident psychologist at Chicago’s GLBT Center, Kyle Michelson jumps at the chance to reinvigorate his career, move on from his recent breakup, and get his life back on track. Kyle hopes returning to the familiar territory of his hometown will do him good, but meeting Emory Brenner at a club changes everything.

Anything but familiar, Emory leaves Kyle breathless from the start. There’s just one problem: Kyle wants more than a one-night stand, Emory doesn’t do relationships, and neither man can resist the other. Luckily for Emory, he never has to see Kyle again. Or so Emory thinks until he runs into him while volunteering at the GLBT Center.

Kyle makes Emory want things he never thought he could have and chips away at secrets Emory has kept locked away for years. On the surface, Emory’s recovered from his past: he has a job at a record store and a roof over his head. But putting his trust in another person, having a relationship, means opening himself to more pain—and that is a risk he can’t take

Product Link:  http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3487

Reviewer:  Showme

Review:  I really enjoyed this book. It is a sweet and sexy read, with a perfect amount of angst. This is basically a story about Emory discovering he deserves to be loved, and letting his past go. I was sucked in on the first page, and I didn’t want to put the book down.

Kyle moves back to Chicago after an amicable break up with his partner of four years. He decides to go out to his old bar to grab a drink, and is caught staring at a beautiful, younger man on the dance floor. He’s not the only one drawn to the man, so he’s shocked to see the man sauntering up to Kyle. The two have an instant attraction, and an easy playful banter. Kyle isn’t really one to go home with strangers anymore, but he can’t resist what Emory has to offer, even if he feels one night with this intriguing man won’t be enough.

Emory only does one-night stands. That’s the easiest way to get off without the complications. He likes sex but doesn’t do the morning-after thing. The other guys never seem to mind, not that he sticks around to find out. His mind-blowing night with the sexy doctor leaves him so sated and tired, he doesn’t manage to sneak out before his hook-up is already awake and cooking him breakfast. Kyle seems nice, and the sex was great, but he can’t risk Kyle getting to know the real him or the secrets from his past, even if he’d like to spend more time with him.  He says goodbye to the doctor, but knows he’ll have fond memories of their one night together. That will have to be enough, because Kyle is too good for someone like Emory.

What Emory and Kyle don’t expect is to end up working together. Emory volunteers at the center where Kyle’s new job happens to be. Both men have been thinking of the each other but, for Emory, it’s a reason to panic and get away. For Kyle, this is just the kick he needs to pursue the man he wants.

I love Emory and Kyle. They have that flirty banter I love to read.  Kyle is so sweet and always wants to help people, even if he doesn’t always go about it the right way. He’s never really met anyone like Emory, and he just can’t seem to let him go. There’s a wonderful speech in the book that explains what he finds in Emory that’s so beautiful. I read it three times, even highlighted it to come back to later.

Emory is such a brilliantly complex character; he’s been hurt and abandoned, done things he’s soul deep ashamed off. He honestly doesn’t think he’s worth human affection beyond sex, and it comes across so clearly in the story. There are layers to Emory, and it was a joy to peel through them with Kyle. Emory is difficult and frustrating, but kind and broken, so his character brought all kinds of emotions out of me during the read. He’s a wonderful character that I won’t ever forget.

I highly recommend this book if you like to read about a man getting everything he never thought he deserved but absolutely does.