Reviewed by Vicki

TITLE: Final Admission

AUTHOR: Sue Brown

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 230 Pages

BLURB: When Ethan Williams lands a job at Bingwell, Brock and Bacon, he realizes his coworkers aren’t exaggerating about James Trenchard. He really is a dick. But after Ethan is forced to work closely with James, he realizes there’s more to the lawyer than meets the eye.

Vibrant Ethan is a desperate reason to live again as Jame’s endures silent guilt and abuse from his husband after an accident. He calls Ethan for help after a beating, and stolen moments soon become the norm, but they can’t hide forever.

Ethan’s co-workers think he got his promotion because James is sweet on him, James is still being beaten despite his family’s concern, and the situation is swiftly becoming intolerable. Ethan and James need to find a way out of the cycle that’s hurting them both before their brand new love suffers as well.

REVIEW:

James is an ass. A big, bad lawyer with a huge ship on his shoulder. And a dark secret he tries to hide. Ethan, new to his job, meets the ass side of James first. He is not impressed. Maybe attracted, but certainly not impressed. They are shoved together at work, by Leanne, who is Ethan’s boss and James very protective cousin. Ethan learns that there is more to James than meets the eye. He is a brilliant lawyer, and a very intellent man. Then James is “mugged” and calls Ethan for help. As Ethan helps James recover from his injuries, getting farther in to the story, Ethan learns James secret and is shocked. To see the strong, stubborn man he knows, in such a vulnerable situation is hard for him to accept. A relationship slowly develops between the two men, but it’s a difficult one at best. James is stubborn and Ethan is frustrated.

The characters are all well written, Ethan and James, Leanne and Howard, and Ethan’s coworkers. And Clay…. Poor Clay. He really isn’t in this story much, other than as the abuser. I just hated him, no sympathy, no understanding. He plays the part of the “bad guy” well. The sex between James and Ethan is hot and meaningful, there is a deep physical connection between the two men. Sometimes it’s emotional, but it’s tainted by Ethan’s frustration and James’ stubborn loyalty. The office politics are interesting and seem accurate, there is mistrust and assumptions on Ethan’s coworkers part. And more frustration for Ethan. He seems overwhelmed most of the time, between work and getting dragged in to James’ messed up life. Sometimes I wanted him to just walk away.

I read this book a couple of years ago, I remembered it as I was reading this re-released edition. It made me uncomfortable then and it still does. Which honestly isn’t a bad thing. This book is about the violation of trust, trust in a marriage, trust that you won’t be hurt by your loved one. I have never been abused, I have utmost trust in my husband. I personally have no concept of this kind of abuse. I found myself not having much sympathy for James, nothing but frustration. I do not understand him staying in this situation. I don’t get it… I want to understand but I don’t. So I’ve been challenged by this book. Challenged to accept the decisions of a character in a situation I can’t imagine myself in. In the decisions of the new man in his life who wants to help him, but is having a hard time getting through. I’d be so frustrated and probably give up, I’m ashamed to say…

This is a difficult story to read. It is well written, and I liked the characters, but I had a very hard time accepting what they did. Or didn’t do as the case may be. I don’t understand James and why he would stay in the relationship he is in. I don’t understand Ethan either. I was angry at Leanne and the rest of the family for ignoring this problem. I found my personal perception affecting my enjoyment of this book. It’s also a story about survival and love. James does survive, and does find love. (Big secret here, it has a happy ending! Shh… don’t tell anyone I gave it away!)

Sue has written a very good story which includes a difficult storyline. This proves to me that I can like an author, like the writing, like the character, and like the story, but have a hard time with it. Yet still like the book overall and give it a rating based on that.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press