Reviewed by Dan

TITLE:    Finding Their Way

SERIES:   The Restoration Series #2

AUTHOR:     A.M. Arthur

PUBLISHER:  Carina Press

LENGTH:     251 Pages

BLURB:

Thanks to an abusive father and a string of bad relationships, Riley McCage learned the hard way that people are not kind without a reason. Now, after landing a job at popular gay bar Pot O Gold, Riley is on the right track—until the night Boxer finds him drunk and drugged in the back room of an exclusive sex party.

Donald “Boxer” Boxwood wasn’t looking for anything beyond some casual kink until he peeled Riley off the floor and gave him a safe place to stay. But there’s something compelling about the guy crashing on his couch, and the two forge an instant friendship that eases into unmistakable attraction. Despite Riley’s hesitancy, Boxer knows one thing to be true: he needs Riley in his life.

Riley risked everything to run away and build a new life for himself, and his secrets aren’t something he’d ever wish upon his kind, gentle new friend. But when the past comes to call, he’ll have no choice but to put his trust in Boxer…and believe people can change enough to deserve a second chance.

REVIEW:

I enjoyed how the author managed to tie this book back to her former books and series, while at the same time giving us an entirely new story.  It could be read as a standalone, but I’d say to read book one Getting It Right first for continuity.

Boxer is the best friend of a couple of the characters from the first book in this series, and it is time for his own story. He goes to a really kinky sex party one night looking for an average guy who will totally dominate him in the bedroom. Not whips and chains level, but someone that will take charge and be in control.

Boxer is surprised to see Riley, the new bartender from Pot O Gold. He doesn’t seem like the type to be into this type of scene. He is with that Brett guy he has been dating though, so maybe all is cool even though Riley looks totally out of place and uncomfortable? But then he notices Riley is acting almost drugged and letting Brett rub on him in front of all the people there. Boxer knows Brett used to be one of the “acts” at these parties, usually having sex right in front of everyone for show. When they disappear into the play room, Boxer gets nervous and follows them in.  He finds Riley tied in a swing, naked and ball gagged! When Boxer interrupts the host says that Riley is into Non-Con play, but when pressured they untie Riley and find he has been slipped GHB, that Brett lied about the Non-Con play and it is against his will. Brett, his boyfriend, has drugged him and planned to rape him in front of the whole crowd because Riley said no to anal! Not the sort of boyfriend anyone needs!

Boxer saves Riley and takes him home with him. Thus begins the story of Boxer and Riley.  How can they get rid of stalker Brett who is becoming ever more abusive.  Can they get past the fact that they both have some major secrets about their past? What will happen when Riley’s past comes back to haunt him?  What will happen when all of Boxer’s friends have issues which pull him away from Riley?

I loved the storylines that are intermixed in this book. The friend who is an alcoholic, the friend who is a drug addict, the friend that is a drag queen who gets bashed in Miami. All of them tie into this story and help flesh it out. I really like the characters that Ms. Arthur writes. I particularly like the underdogs like Riley who come into their own!

I recommend this book, as well as Getting It Right. I’ll be anxiously awaiting mid-September when the next installment in this series is scheduled to arrive!

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Carina Press  

Amazon

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