Reviewed by Roberta

TITLE: Stay With Me

AUTHOR: S. E. Harmon

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 290 pages

BLURB:

Private investigator Mackenzie Williams’s newest client is everything he’s looking for in a guy—charming, beautiful, intelligent, and successful. There’s only one itty bitty problem—the guy’s not exactly gay. In fact, Jordan Channing is looking for a PI to follow his fiancée. The smart thing would be to thank Jordan for his time, turn Mr. Perfect away (don’t let the door hit you on the rump, thank you very much), and forget he exists.

Of course, Mackenzie has never been accused of doing the smart thing. Being a smart aleck is more his MO. Relationships aren’t up his alley, never have been. So why’s he so inexplicably drawn to his new client?

Jordan has always been the high achiever, a man who lives in a focused, controlled, and carefully constructed manner. But for the first time in his life, he has to admit the impossible—another man is getting his engine running on all cylinders. Despite Jordan’s denial, it’s not long before he can no longer resist the strong undercurrents pulling them together. Now Jordan must decide if he can go against everything he’s ever known to have the only love he’s ever wanted.

REVIEW:

I have NEVER had so much fun reading a book before. Mac was this great character who made me laugh with his witty and sarcastic dialog, both internal and external.  He made my heart sad when having to deal with his abandonment issues created my his mother’s leaving their family when he was a child.

Mackenzie “Mac” Williams is a former police officer who now works as a private investigator with his friend, Drew.  Mac is a snarky, sarcastic ball of fun.  He is good at what he does, however, his personal life could use a bit of work.  Mac is smart, cynical and yet, he wants to fall in love. He really does.  The only problem is that he’s working on the belief that everyone leaves.  That makes it rather difficult to fall in love.  Mac has had some relationships in the past and they all ended in the not so greatest of ways.

Jordan Channing is this really sweet guy.  I liked him from the first moment he was on the screen. He was funny and sarcastic. He gave as good as he got from Mac.  I loved how he was this man whose life was turning upside down and yet he stood strong.  I like that he was this smart, successful guy who was falling in love with a man and even when the man was bouncing like a ball, he stayed and fought for them. He wasn’t the pushover that I think Mac assumed he be.  I think that his drive and determination was something that Mac didn’t really see or understand.  Jordan is kind and helpful.  He is sturdy and strong and all the things that Mac wanted and truly needed.

The secondary characters in this book were so funny and boy did they have their work cut out for them in dealing with Mac.  Drew had to work with the cute and somewhat flaky Mac in their PI business.  He’s former military and his self-control was the perfect foil to Mac’s flaky attitude.  Robby and Mac’s Dad.  I loved how they loved Mac.  Robby gave his brother crap, cuz that’s what younger brother’s do and it was fun.  His Dad, I loved that even though he wasn’t always ok with his son being gay, it was trying to let Mac know that he loved him and wanted the best for him.  Trevor, one of Mac’s ex’s was a douchebag and that’s all you need to remember.  Nick, another of Mac’s ex’s was the complete opposite.  He was kind and loving and he wanted to keep Mac in his life.  He loved him still and only wanted the best for him.  I loved Nick. I wanted more screen time with Nick, but I liked what we got.

This story had so many wonderful themes going on.  I loved the theme that it isn’t always easy to let go of the past and yet if you truly want something, that you have to make peace with your past and make the conscience decision to move forward.  I liked how it also talked about being understanding to not only your issues, but when making a connection to someone, that you realize that it’s not always easy to change the view of yourself and it takes time to come to grips with your new reality.

This book was in turns funny and made me giggle and it also hurt my heart.  I was hurt for Mac.  He wanted so much and yet he allowed his fear to control his responses.  I liked that Jordan was the man that Mac wanted and needed.  It was great to see someone who got Mac and fought for him and their relationship.  I just loved how steady and comforting Jordan was.  I loved that Mac had so many people who loved him and cared about him.

I enjoyed this story and didn’t want the book to end. But like all good things, some must come to an end.  I’m now eagerly awaiting Drew’s book.  Hint, Hint, Hint!!

Take the time to fall in love with Jordan and Mac.  You won’t be disappointed.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon

ARe