Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Love’s Magic 
SERIES: Revolutionary Heart #1
AUTHOR: Janice Jarrell
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 255 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 9, 2018
BLURB:
If you love gay romance that contains both heated passion and steadfast love, Love’s Magic is for you! Professor Nate Reese rushes to protect a female student and is severely injured at the hands of her assailant. Traumatized by the attack, Nate sets his feet on a no-holds-barred path of activism designed to force university officials into addressing the issue of on-campus assault. At the same time, terrified of losing his hard-won status at the university, his partner, David Gardener, a veteran of 12 years as a very popular Professor, is reluctant to support Nate’s militant efforts. Seemingly abandoned by his partner, Nate sees David’s aversion to his activism as indifference to the trauma he suffered. Day by day they watch as their relationship disintegrates, while still struggling to resolve the disruptive issues engulfing the school they love.
In the meantime, Irishman Colin Campbell, handsome and charismatic Sergeant for the campus police force, fights his own on-going war against campus assault. But behind his obsessive desire to gain justice for victims lies a devastating secret which could forever destroy his fiercely independent facade and expose his deepest fear. Ultimately, it is Colin’s powerful connection to a steady, dark-eyed Title IX consultant which threatens to tear down his defenses and shatter the barriers protecting his heart.
Cocky and irresistible, the dynamic police officer was everything Joshua Abrams had ever longed for in a man, but Colin simply didn’t ‘do’ relationships. Unless Joshua would settle for a one night stand, or a very short-term liaison, there was no room for him in Colin’s life. Yet even knowing this, he couldn’t keep himself from falling hopelessly in love with his ‘magic man’. Despite the passion between them, he knew his quiet, reclusive nature could never hope to entice the vibrant, freedom-loving Irishman, so eventually he begins to back slowly away.
Eventually, a disagreement over an oddly disturbing case causes Colin’s hot Irish temper to erupt and their relationship is irrevocably shattered. Heartbroken, and convinced that Colin is gone forever, Joshua flees Charlottesville without a word, leaving Colin adrift and inconsolable.
But Joshua Abrams hadn’t merely stepped over the indelible line Colin had drawn between his heart and the dangers of real love, he had burned through it like hot lava. Finally forced to acknowledge his love for Joshua and his desperate need to have the quiet, Jewish man by his side, Colin must now face the dark and long-suppressed memories which are irrevocably linked to his love for the handsome consultant. Without even a forwarding address to guide him, he vows to find Joshua and bring him home. Colin’s struggle to conquer his pride and fear in order to find the love of his life and achieve their happily ever after will touch your heart.
Four lives in turmoil fighting for the relationships they cherish, and at the heart of the struggle, a great university struggles to survive its most harrowing challenge.
REVIEW:
As the blurb says, this is a story involving two couples. David and Nate are professors in an established relationship. Colin and Joshua are new starters – one is a campus police officer, the other a therapist.
A case of assault where Nate gets injured brings all four people together, in a tale of, not so much whodunnit, but the consequences of – it happened. Nate goes on the campaign to bring to bring about policy changes at the University. David doesn’t agree with rocking the faculty boat. David’s stance causes a rift between them. The story delves into the personalities of the men in an attempt to solve their differences.
Between Colin and Joshua, the events bring to the fore age-old emotions that need dealing with. Added to that is the fact that Colin is a no commitment man, and the outlook is bleak.
The story revolves around the emotional conflict of who one is, as opposed to who one wants to be, where doing the right thing can be perceived as betrayal. Want to know more? You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens.
There is much to like about this story. The main characters are lovely, and when drama happens, it is fast-paced. I also enjoyed the story arcs. Parts are totally engrossing. However, because there is shared top billing and their stories are told in parallel, there is constant switching between the lives of the couples. As such, I found it difficult to truly connect to either of them and delve heart and soul into their journeys. I can see why the four men were put into the same story, but, as this is a series, I would have preferred the focus to be on David and Nate with the introduction of Colin, then expand on Colin and Joshua’s story in the next in the series. As things stand, Colin and Joshua will be the focus of book two.
So, if you fancy a go at dealing with two lots of relationship issues in one volume – then you will love this. It wasn’t quite for me, but I appreciate there will be many out there who will eat up every word.
RATING: 
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