Title: Perfect for Me
Author: D.H. Starr
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (265pgs)
Publisher: ManLoveRomance (22th February 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Sean Sullivan is a principal and a happy person, but he has one major complication. HIV. Frustrated with constant rejection, Sean decides to stop dating negative men. When a student experiences a crisis and Sean meets Emery Benton, the case worker assigned from Child Protective Services, his decision is challenged.
Sparks fly the moment they meet, but Emery is negative and Sean doesn’t want the pain of another disappointment. As he struggles with his feelings for Emery, a war between the fear in his head and the fire in his heart force him to answer one simple question. Is this the perfect man for me?
Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=DHSPF4ME
Review: Sean has a lot going for him, he has a great job, he has a great apartment and he is handsome. But, finding a man is difficult, because the moment he reveals his secret they turn tail and run. When one of his student’s lands in hospital it brings Sean into contact with Emery, a caseworker for Child Protective Services, a man who refuses to run. Emery isn’t one to back down from a challenge and when his work brings him in to contact with a middle school principal he is in for one hell of a challenge, helping a young man find the support he needs and convincing Sean that he wants to be around for the long haul.
This is a really good story about the conflicts and doubts that someone with HIV can face… even when that conflict is from within. Sean has faced rejection because of his illness many times. He has just decided to only date other Positive men when Emery walks into his life. Emery who he feels instant attraction to, but who he fears to date. Emery wants to get to know the sexy principal better and they seem to hit it off. When he learns that Sean has HIV he doesn’t bat an eyelid, but Sean is throwing obstacles in the way and Emery finds it hard to fight Sean’s fears.
The characters in this story are brilliant; Sean is a loving and caring man who is HIV positive and is constantly being rejected by men because of it. When he does find someone who accepts him, he finds excuses and reasons to sabotage the relationship because of his own fears. Emery is bubbly and has a great personality; he is stubborn and he will try to do the best for all the children that come to his attention, and he will also do his best to beat down Sean’s walls. Lamar is a thirteen-year old student who is going through a hard time because of his parents. He just wants to go back home to help his mom, not really realizing the danger he could be placed in. Sonya is a foster-mother who takes care of her boys like a mother tiger, she also mothers Emery to some extent, and she is totally wonderful throughout the book.
I have to admit that at times Sean got on my nerves… he has a man who meshes with him perfectly and he kept pushing him away saying they were too different because Emery was Negative. He was doing to Emery what other men had done to him… rejecting someone for their HIV status. I mean, yeah, you can see where he is coming from and that his fears are valid, but damn he was irritating at times. Emery is fantastic and you root for him to break down Sean’s walls. But, the best moment in the book for me was when Sean was sat on his bed collecting his courage to make that phone call and he has an epiphany about what he truly wants and needs. The relationship between both men was wonderfully written and the fears are very real, but sometimes you have to take a chance and Sean nearly loses Emery before he can take his wholeheartedly.
I have to recommend this to those who love overcoming obstacles, breaking down walls, accepting love, protecting children, great characters and the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
