Title: Unfinished Business
Series: Beggars and Choosers 02
Author: Mia Kerick
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (224pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (15th March 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: After struggling through dishonesty, betrayal, and the kind of pasts they’d like to leave behind them, Brett Taylor and Cory Butana are back together and starting to build a new life. Brett has a good job. Cory has started college. But not everything goes the way they planned.
Still recovering from the emotional and physical repercussions of a brutal assault, Cory finds himself trapped by his own insecurity and fear, unable to believe that his heart is safe with Brett or that his body is safe without him. On the other hand, Brett has total faith in Cory’s love and commitment, even though he still struggles with his own ghosts.
With girls flocking to Brett’s side and a wannabe-lover lab partner feeding his doubts, Cory can’t find a way to tell Brett about the unfinished business that haunts him. If Brett wants to save him, he’ll have to see through Cory’s deception in time.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3635
Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Brett and Cory are starting their new life together. Cory is in college and Brett is the manager of a bar. they have their little apartment and their love for each other. But, not everything is perfect. Cory lets his doubts about Brett get the better of him, with his ‘not so’ secret admirer feeding Cory doubts. can Brett really know what he wants when he has never been with a man before? Brett can see that Cory is hiding something, but it is much worse than he feared. Can Brett help Cory protect himself before it’s too late or will Cory’s past catch up with him.
It isn’t very often that I read a book and I fall madly in love with a character, but Brett stole my heart with his incredible love for Cory. Cory and Brett have already been through hell together in Beggars and Choosers and in this story they are starting their new life together. Brett is settling into his new job and Cory is starting college. They both have a security in the other and want nothing more than the other. But, Cory begins to have doubts about Brett’s gayness when Ian, his lab partner and wannabe-lover, tries to drive a wedge between them. Brett does his best to prove his love for Cory with his every breath. He does his best to protect him and knowing that Cory needs it, he encourages Cory to learn to protect himself.
Mia Kerick has written a wonderful story of true love, haunting danger and trying to protect those you love, while adding in finding confidence in yourself and trusting those you love. Cory is a character that needs protection, but feels that he has to protect others. With Brett’s encouragement, he discovers a part of himself that he thought he had lost. Brett never wanted anyone but Cory and feels like he has failed when Cory has doubts about him. He also has to deal with his jealousy when Cory is pursued by another student. All the characters we meet are great with some of them standing out more than others, but they all make this story interesting.
I loved how this story was laid out, with the POV changing between Cory, Brett and at one point to Ian, there is no mistaking when the POV changes and how well we can connect with each character. In fact, even without the headers, the personality of each character shines through. I adored how even their new friends came together for them and I really liked that Cory’s dad came through for him. Cory’s fear is described beautifully and his realization of his inner strength as he confronts his monster is wonderful. Brett’s confidence in Cory is well founded.
I recommend this to those who love destroying the monsters of the past, unwavering love, wonderful lovemaking, two men who are made for each other, new friends, danger, fear, happiness and forgiveness and a very lovely happy ending.