REVIEWED by Jen B.

TITLE: Equality

SERIES: Dublin Virtues #2

AUTHOR: Helena Stone

PUBLISHER: Pride Publishing

LENGTH: 156 Pages

RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2017

BLURB:  Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?

Lorcan Barratt has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.

Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?

When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a yes-vote cost them their relationship or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?

REVIEW:  We met Lorcan and Eric in Xander and Troy’s book, Patience.  They are Xander and Troy’s respective best friends and I was really looking forward to their book.  They had some major chemistry there, but were unable to act on it due to Eric’s having to travel to Canada for a few months for business.

This story begins with Eric’s return to Dublin.  Both are excited for his return, but each has their reservations about their mutual feelings.  They shared an explosive kiss before Eric’s departure, and while they spoke often and even video chatted, it was never really brought up.  Do they still have that same chemistry?  Was it a one-time thing, or is there a real interest in exploring things?  Thankfully, the answer to all of the above is yes.

However, even though they both agree to move forward, Lorcan has reservations that take a good portion of this book to get past.  He has always believed he would be forever single, not interested in relationships and happy being on his own.  So, he is worried he just isn’t relationship material and doesn’t know what he’s doing or what to expect.  Thankfully, Eric handles this with somewhat ease reassuring Lorcan as they go and being the voice of reason.

Through all of this, they are fighting for equality and the passing of gay marriage in the upcoming vote.  This has a bigger impact on Lorcan whose parents told him long ago they would never welcome a partner of his into their home.  This had played a big role in Lorcan’s relationship outlook, but when Lorcan sees how things are with Eric’s family, he begins to see things a bit differently.

I am really enjoying this series.  It is a little lighter than what I’d normally choose, but the writing and storylines are well done.  My only real struggle with this story was the amount of inner struggle on Lorcan’s part when it came to being his first relationship.  Understandable to a point, but I found being reminded of it over and over to be a bit tiresome.  On the flip side, just as with the previous book, there are some great side characters here.  Lorcan’s granny is a hoot and really stole the show in this one.

It looks like Shane is returning home a different man for the next book, which is a good thing, to be sure.  I’m super curious to see what that’s all about and am already looking forward to his book.