Wholehearted by Cate Ashwood

WholeheartedLGTitle:  Wholehearted

Series:  Hope Cove, Book #2

Author:  Cate Ashwood

Genre:   Mystery/Suspense

Length:  Novel (208 pages)

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press (December 9th 2013)

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Officer Declan Grant responds to a call at the Hope Cove docks to find Lucas Hale barely alive after being beaten and tossed off his fishing boat. The violent crime rocks this tranquil community where everyone knows each other and doors are rarely locked. Despite Declan being new to Hope Cove, he wants to keep his new home and Lucas safe. He starts by volunteering to care for Lucas after he’s released from the hospital.

Lucas just wants to put the whole incident behind him and move on, but the more he gets to know Declan, the harder he finds it to push Declan and his do-right attitude away. The investigation into the assault continues, but Declan will soon face a moral dilemma, a choice that may topple his tidy life and force him to choose between Lucas and the law.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4433

Reviewer:   Tams

Review: This is the second book in a series that should be read in sequence if you truly want to appreciate the story, the town, and the characters.

Declan Grant has always known he wanted to be a cop. Even after a “scandal” at his former job with the Police Department in Austin left him broken and without a job, he still wanted to be a cop. Aimlessly driving trying to find himself, he wound up in Hope Cove and found not only himself, but also where he wanted to be. He finds himself questioning his morals and conscience when a routine call changes his life, irrevocably.

Lucas Hale never thought he’d amount to much. But, he’s as happy as he can be as a fisherman working odd jobs on various boats. When a mistaken mutual attraction almost costs him his life, he too finds his way to Hope cove and Declan. Lucas is fragile and beyond broken, he’s shattered. He’s afraid to be honest with anyone, especially himself, about who he is as it almost got him killed. But he can’t help the growing attraction for the tall, handsome deputy that apparently saved his life.

When Lucas moves into Declan’s home temporarily due to his injuries and no other options, the two quickly find their way into each other’s arms. These two can only do things slightly backwards and at light speed, and they seemingly fall in love almost overnight. When Declan accidentally breaks a promise he made to Lucas, he can’t get away from Declan fast enough. Can these newborn lovers get past their bruised egos and obvious issues with trust long enough to actually talk about what happened?

As I said this is definitely insta-love, but Ashwood added the appropriate amount of water. Both men have trust issues for similar reasons. But the way they fit together and complement each other like pieces of a puzzle was so well written and conveyed. Lucas is terribly troubled and haunted by what has happened to him, and he can only see what Declan did as a betrayal of trust, whether it was his intention or not. I loved how the author kept us abreast of the latest in Mack and Oliver’s life as well in this installment.

Ashwood certainly has a keen knowledge of the male anatomy, and it shows in every book she writes. Though Declan and Lucas don’t have earth shattering sex, they share a passion for each other that is undeniable, and it radiates off the pages. I most definitely recommend this book, this series, as well as Ashwood’s previous works. Read them all. Loved them all. Fantastic up and coming M/M writer!!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for MM Good Book Reviews*

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