Reviewed by Caroline
TITLE: Survival Game
SERIES: Men of London Book 9
AUTHOR: Susan Mac Nicol
PUBLISHER: Boroughs Publishing
LENGTH: 197 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 7, 2017
BLURB:
Since his true love died, paramedic Eric Kirby has been living a half life, but when he meets purple-haired Kyle Tripper, Eric’s heart is jolted into a whole new rhythm.
HANDLE…
Kyle Tripper has led an interesting life. Currently the manager of London’s famous Club Delish, he used to be a croupier extraordinaire in Las Vegas. But not everything in that life was so glamorous; his ex was a piece of work. Now gun-shy, Kyle hopes there is someone special out there for him, and secretly wishes it’s luscious paramedic, Eric Kirby.
WITH CARE
Every day Eric Kirby goes through the motions. Yeah, he saves lives, and, sure, he makes a difference, but he doesn’t feel it anymore – not since he lost his one true. But, when he meets wild, flamboyant Kyle Tripper and learns there’s a skittish, apprehensive man beneath the bold façade, the best of Eric’s protective nature kicks in, and opens his heart to a new love.
REVIEW:
Survival Game is book 9 in the Men of London series and runs along a similar timeline to Ryan and Mango’s story in book 8. This is Kyle and Eric’s story, two characters with very different pasts but quite similar baggage. On the surface they hit it off fast and they hit it off well but lurking just below are a myriad of problems that neither man is confident or comfortable talking about. When nightmares, overthinking and random everyday situations bring these problems to the fore both men are going to have to face up to their pasts if they want any kind of future.
Kyle is an interesting character and a man that hides behind a persona. Outwardly, he mostly, exudes confident businessman with a quirky sense of humour and colourful hair. Inwardly he is shy, nervous and often scared – he lives with sometimes debilitating PTSD after surviving and escaping from an abusive relationship and he is quite hard on himself about what he believes are his weaknesses. Kyle is vivacious and he desperately wants the confidence to ask and receive for everything he needs from a new relationship.
Eric is almost like a ticking time bomb that is running out of time. His past involves loss and grief that is still very real and raw and haunts him almost daily. He lives with a big sense of failure that is now spilling over into his daily life. His enthusiasm and joy that his job once gave him is gone and the daily grind just adds more pressure and increases the hollowness he feels. I think it’s mainly the guilt that stops Eric from reaching out for help and leaves him unable to talk about his past but when it starts to all become too much he needs to sort himself out before he scares away the man he is quickly falling in love with.
Together Eric and Kyle work well. They seem to recognise something in each other immediately and are supportive of each other without knowing the details. They both grow as characters throughout the book and they are the kick-start that each need to start the healing process that will mean they can leave their pasts behind and move forward with a life together. It’s not easy for either of them but nor is it all doom and gloom. They are hot, funny and sexy together.
Fans of this series will not be disappointed!
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Caroline, love the review, so pleased you enjoyed the book. It’s so appreciated that you read and reviewed it so once again, thank you. ♥