Once again, I simply fail. Newest and Brightest not exactly what I review, though I do get around to it eventually. When looking over my TBR list, I peered at the covers and what do my eyes spy? More man titty from the lickable Anne Cain. As if that alone is an indicator of greatness, I plucked a never read before author from the depths based on naked man chest. Shallow? Perhaps but read on for more depth than just hot surfer.

Collision Course by K. A. Mitchell

Blurb:

Immovable object? Meet the irresistible force.

Paramedic Aaron Chase doesn’t have anything against love. It just comes with a lot of responsibility, like when he had to raise his sister and brothers after their drug-addicted mom took off for good. Now that the last one is off to college, Aaron’s anticipating enjoying life on his own terms. He certainly wasn’t expecting Joey Miller to accidentally drop into his life.

Joey’s sexy, funny and annoyingly optimistic, and his tendency to get into trouble keeps sending him Aaron’s way. Even the fact that Joey works for the hated social work system isn’t reason enough to keep him out of Aaron’s bed.

Joey knows all about love. He’s fallen in it ten times—he thinks. It’s not that he can’t tell the difference between sex and love. All that experience has to count for something, right? With Aaron it’s different. Maybe because there’s something to fight for.

This time Joey’s fallen for good. He’s not going to let number eleven get away.

 

Review:

Joey Miller is innocently car-dancing down the highway when quick reflexes keep him from getting into an accident. Unfortunately the accident happened away with a different car and Joey immediately delves into the situation to help, bringing him intimately close with hunky paramedic Aaron Chase. Aaron, always able to recognizing a hot, tight ass for what it’s worth, pursues Joey with the idea of a mind blowing weekend liaison. Their first encounter ends with hot, sweaty sex and Joey in the hospital with a slight concussion. Both of which exemplify the hot but combustible relationship between Joey and Aaron.

Superficially Joey could be a one dimensional, adorable twink (even at thirty-one) spouting psycho babble and looking for the next hook up that he can pretend he’s in love with. Thankfully Joey is so much more, revealing a character as complex as he is flawed. Joey is intelligent, capable, confident, optimistic, and accomplished, yet he is also lost, insecure, unrealistic, and a veritable klutz. His past relationships haven’t worked out yet Joey goes into each one hoping that this time, this new guy will be the “one”; that this new relationship will be different and play to all the themes and happy ever afters written in his head. He knows he builds unrealistic expectations but he just can’t seem to stop himself.

Sexy paramedic Aaron with a chip on his shoulder the size of Florida is perhaps the last person Joey should be pinning his hopes and dreams on but the sex is too fantastic to pass up and the hints of a deeper connection give Joey hope. Aaron for all his gruff, standoffish ways has moments of sensitivity and depth, but hides behind his façade of anger and sarcasm. When Aaron’s family fell apart at a young age, he was forced to grow up quickly and painfully to keep his brothers and sisters together against an unsympathetic family services system, the very organization that Joey works so hard for.

So while the sex between Aaron and Joey is hot, dynamic, and often mind-blowing, it is never added for the sake of titillation nor is the complications each man brings are not trivial or minor. Each man is shaped by their past and present expectations both for their life and the life they hope to have. Aaron is taciturn and gruff, often turning to anger and smirking to deliberately drive Joey away, keeping their relationship loose and undefined. Joey for his part attempts patience and understanding yet is battling with his own fears of commitment and unpredictably that Aaron brings. Their individual and joint journey to let go of past disappointments, fears, and expectations to embrace their unpredictable but satisfying relationship is what gives true strength to this well written and involving story.

The tension and conflict of the characters is borne solely from internal conflict and thus allows the focus to remain on the characters and their relationship. A collection of supporting characters moving in and out of the story, mixing with the characters, their jobs and relationship add depth and sharpness. With a backdrop of vivid imagery and definite characters, there are very few missteps in Joey and Aaron’s journey to happiness and their own unique happy ever after.

Unfortunately there were a few problems that I had, which judging by the numerous glowing reviews, I am in the minority. However, some of the supporting cast took away from the story with repeated unnecessary and distracting appearances. The characters of Noah and Cameron are apparently from another novel by author which I haven’t had a chance to read so perhaps that colors my perspective of them, but they showed up a few too many times. Their concern and care for Joey was warming but eventually overwhelming with their own interpretations and slightly condescending attitude to Joey’s self-created problems. There’s no question they loved Joey but that love felt suffocating towards the end of the book. Additionally, the altercation at the end involving Aaron and resolution of Joey’s job was unnecessary and too much, in my opinion.

Not to belabor those caveats as they were by far the minority and withheld little from the excellence of the writing, characters, and situation. This is a romance novel for the sake of romance, two men dealing with their issues, flaws, jobs, expectations, families, and friends in between trying to figure out what their relationship means, if anything. Without the artifice of created obstacles, the author’s talent and voice shine through and are sure to delight and engage readers who love angsty men and unbelievably scorching hot sex.

From Samhain – HERE!

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