Title: Dormant Heart
Series: N/A
Author: Lane Swift
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 136 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (Feb 10th 2016)
Heat Level: Low/Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Blurb: Amateur photographer Josh Thornton is out but not so proud. He’s estranged from his family, his boyfriend dumped him, and his job at an estate agency is in jeopardy—especially after he crashes his boss’s car in the middle of nowhere on his way to Hartley Manor.
Callum Black works at the English country estate and lives there in an isolated cottage. Left mute by a childhood accident, he’s more comfortable in the company of animals than people. But when Josh—literally—crashes into his life with his camera and his friendship, Callum realizes his peaceful solitude has been more than a little lonely.
Josh’s affection for Callum deepens even as he’s consumed by doubts over Callum’s sexuality and whether Callum could ever love him. And Callum is haunted by the secret that stole his voice—a secret that keeps him tethered to Hartley Manor.
When the past comes hurtling painfully back into the present, Josh and Callum have to overcome their fears and breathe life back into their dormant hearts in order to have a chance at their own picture-perfect future.
ISBN: 978-1-63476-845-0
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7400
Reviewer: Aerin
Review: This book is very different from what I’m used to usually reading, and that’s not a bad thing. Callum and Josh’s relationship has a purity and otherworldliness about it that’s not usually seen in most MM books.
Josh is an aspiring photographer whose daily job is that of a real estate agent. He is not happy with his life. He thinks his boss hates him. And his boyfriend recently broke up with him. The day Josh met Callum started pretty badly. His boss sent him out on the field to take pictures of some real estate, the road to his destination is flooded, and he ends up crashing his boss’s car and having to walk through the woods to get to his appointment. But all his misfortune simply disappears when Josh sees Callum for the first time.
Callum is a very special, tenderhearted young man. An accident from his childhood prevents him from speaking, and doctors can’t figure out what’s causing it. Callum seems very otherworldly. In fact, I think he’s the character that gives his and Josh’s relationship that otherworldly quality. Callum is like an animal whisperer. His easy relationship with wild animals is what captivates Josh to start with.
Callum also lives very modestly in a cottage with no electricity, no shower, and no stove. That part I had trouble accepting, because I doubt that someone would choose to live that way in this day and age, when they have better conditions offered.
Callum and Josh’s relationship progresses slowly because no matter how attracted Josh is to Callum, Callum’s sexuality is not immediately common knowledge. It wasn’t until the second half of the book that we find out more about Callum. This book has dual POVs, both Callum and Josh’s. The first half of the book is entirely from Josh’s POV, while in the second half we get to know who Callum really is.
While this book is beautiful and the guys are adorable, some things prevented me from loving it. I believe I know where the culprit lays. The storytelling seemed almost poetic in its description. The characters’ voice is loud and clear considering the story is told in 1st person POV, but I couldn’t help but feel like they were reciting a poem in the way they were expressing themselves.
Also, the reason for Callum’s accident as a child is not only confusing, but hard to understand. I can’t say much about it without spoiling the story, but I definitely didn’t understand why the events that took place had frightened Callum so much. I honestly didn’t think it was that big of a deal and was definitely expecting something much, much worse, considering the nature of his nightmares.
Overall this was a pretty good book that I liked and enjoyed.
Recommended!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *