Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Real World
SERIES: Bend or Break #5
AUTHOR: Amy Jo Cousins
PUBLISHER: Samhain Publishing
LENGTH: 175 pages
BLURB:
When talking fails, it’s time to break out the big guns.
Five years ago, Tom Worthington busted his ass to overcome the fear and paranoia that led him to withdraw from the world and nearly lose his boyfriend. He never thought he’d find himself right back there, shutting Reese out, keeping secrets again.
Reese Anders is ready to try anything to get Tom to talk: if he can’t seduce his boyfriend with food, he’ll get Tom to open up in bed. But even Tom’s confession that his dad is getting out of prison soon doesn’t clear the air between them. And as the holidays approach, intensive mentoring from a new British boss creates more distractions, until Reese is keeping secrets of his own.
At a company Christmas party, it only takes Tom one look at Reese’s new boss to figure out how much danger their relationship is in. But he’s not about to let the connection that started all those years ago at Carlisle come to an end. It’s time to deal with their problems like adults. Face to face. Or back to front. Starting in the bedroom.
REVIEW:
This was very sweet and very much worth the wait but it was incredibly frustrating as well. We went through this whole rigmarole during book 1, Off Campus, with Tom. His internalization of everything in his life and lack of communication with Reese, was grating. When it got so bad he was making himself physically ill I knew he never really worked through any of his previous issues and my heart hurt for Reese.
In Real World, Reese and Tom are very much still together and happy. Having been together 5 years now, they live together and things are good for the most part. Unfortunately they don’t stay that way because Tom gets word about his father that devastates and upset the fragile foundation he’s built with Reese. Reese knows all the signs of Tom withdrawing and has to use all means available to keep him from completely withdrawing.
Things are getting interesting for Reese at work. He’s becoming more successful and his responsibilities are growing. With the added tasks Reese finds himself working closely with his boss, Niall. His very quirky, handsome, British, gay boss Niall. This is another interesting twist.
Overall, I did enjoy this story, I really did. Tom’s quirks aside I really needed to see Reese and Tom truly settled and happy. Reese won me over again in this story. His patience is amazing. You can feel the love they feel for each other and how it’s grown through the years.
Aside from the issues I’ve stated I really enjoyed this one and recommend it to all that are invested in Reese and Tom as well as the Bend or Break series.
RATING: 
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