Patient Privelege by Allison Cassatta, 2nd edition

PatientPrivilegeLGTitle: Patient Privilege, 2nd edition
Author: Allison Cassatta
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (278 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (October 24th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Dr Erik Daniels hasn’t had it easy. After losing love and fighting addiction, he becomes a successful substance abuse counsellor and helps people regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. It isn’t the dream life he had in San Francisco, but at least he has something to be proud of.

Everything seems to be getting back on the right track until Angel, a heroin-addicted male prostitute, crosses his path. Erik not only sees a lot of himself in Angel, but a lot of potential as well. He quickly realizes he’s willing to sacrifice a lot to get him on the right path–but is he willing to jeopardize his career?

1st Edition published by Silver Publishing, 2012

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5549

Review: A story of two men, almost a decade apart in age, that carry similar pasts. It’s only when their paths cross that their futures align and give them both a second chance at happiness. But it’s not all moonlight and roses. People will be hurt and trusts broken as these two men help each other heal.

Erik Daniels is a struggling substance abuse counsellor. A recovering alcoholic, he pushed away the man he loved before hitting rock bottom. Now he works a job he loves helping young men in similar situations as he was just a few years ago, trying to get clean and get their lives back. When a patient is brought into the ER after a heroin overdose, Erik is drawn into his world with on overbearing need to help him get clean.

Angel ran away from home after his father rejected him when Angel told him he was gay. Living from one alleyway hook up to another does nothing for his self-esteem, but it does keep his veins full of the substance that is slowly killing him. His best friend and wanna be boyfriend Jon, along with the help of Dr Daniels, convinces Angel to go to rehab and get clean. Angel runs away, more than once, falls off the wagon, loses his boyfriend and his dignity… but he gains a trust he has never felt before in his life. An attraction to the one man who pushed him when no one else could, Erik.

While there were a few things that happened in this story that either made me roll my eyes or sigh unhappily, overall I enjoyed it. I most enjoyed the way Cassatta wrote it almost like two different stories in the beginning, giving the reader a look into the life of each man separately, then bringing them together and then ending with a look into their lives together.

Erik’s struggle with being the man he thought he needed to be and reconciling that with the man he is was so well conveyed that I felt his turmoil. And poor Angel, all he wants is to be loved and while Jon loves him, Angel also needs to be directed and motivated to an extent, which only Erik can do.

This wasn’t a love story per say, more of a story about two men that had to find themselves before they found each other, the love they found was just a bonus. I definitely recommend this read.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *