Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Risk Taker

SERIES: Mixed Messages #3

AUTHOR: Lily Morton

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 288 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 22, 2018

BLURB:

Being in love with your best friend is hard.
Henry’s the odd man out. All his friends are settling down, and his reputation as the Hook-Up King of London seems more like a curse than a blessing these days. Especially when it keeps photojournalist Ivo, his best friend and the brilliant man he’s loved since they were fifteen, at arm’s length. But that’s where Ivo wants him, right? Putting aside his feelings, Henry decides to give up casual sex and look for the real deal. After all, he has no chance with Ivo – or does he?
Henry is everything to Ivo. Best friend, soul mate, the one person who has never let him down. The one person he is loyal to above everything and everyone. But Henry’s in a box marked best friend and that’s where Ivo’s kept him for nearly twenty years, despite steadily falling in love with the gentle man. And besides, why would Henry want to date Ivo? Burned out and injured, he’s the walking embodiment of damaged.
Distance has helped Henry and Ivo keep a lid on their attraction, but when they find themselves in the same city for a change—Ivo hurt and needing assistance, and Henry more than willing to provide it—the two best friends grow closer than ever, forcing a realization, and a decision. Risk their friendship for their hearts? Or can they have both?
From the bestselling author of Rule Breaker and Deal Maker comes a tender love story about two best friends who are perfect for each other, and always have been – if only they knew it.
This is the third book in the Mixed Messages series, but it can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW:

Can you ever imagine being so in love with someone but you feel like you can’t ever say anything? Afraid if you let those feelings show that you will smother the other person or make them feel like a prisoner? Knowing you will probably only ever be their best friend ever but nothing more? While you yearn for years hoping that they will someday see you? I know I have at one point in my life. And if any of you ever have, it’s hell and I’m sorry. But I know in our hearts we are just glad to have them in our lives. At least, I was. This book was so good but so hellish in ways. That above being one of the reasons.

Henry knew he had met the man of his dreams at 15, when his father’s latest wife walked in with her son, Ivo. Ivo is the ultimate for Henry and over the years they create a bond like no other. They tell each other everything. They are each other’s rocks and support. They are beyond best friends, even though it’s never been physical. But Henry wishes it would be. He’s been so in love with Ivo for so long. He’s tried to find someone else but it’s always turned out to be a quickie in a club bathroom. He can’t get over Ivo. When Ivo comes back from this latest assignment, it’s worse than ever. It’s taken more out of Ivo then ever before, literally. This time he’s been shot and Henry is terrified. He’s so scared he could have lost him. But he can’t tell Ivo how he feels because he’s even more afraid of spooking Ivo and losing his best friend. What he doesn’t know is Ivo is just as in love with him but terrified to do anything because of the marriage history he has seen in his family and because of words his father told him. But if he sees Henry go on one more date, he’s going to lose his mind, and he vows he has to be what he wants with Henry. But the nightmares are haunting him and he doesn’t know if he can. Plus he’s never sat still for very long. He only hopes he can be what Henry needs because he can’t lose him.

I don’t know who I yelled at more in this book, Henry or Ivo. Holy crap. But watching the past histories with their parents relationships and marriages, I can’t see the hesitance. Plus, with all that Ivo has seen, it has more than scarred him in the outside. The nightmares plague him constantly. And knowing that, you have to keep asking why??? Why would he constantly keep doing this to himself? And if he loves Henry so much, why keep doing it to him? Fear is a powerful thing. And fear from both of them kept them apart for longer than necessary. Outside influences tried to push them together, and finally something broke through. But it was rocky for a long time. My heart broke for both of them. The love was so strong but fear was stronger. It’s hard when that happens. So much is at stake. These two deserved each other so much. When there is such a connection it needs to flourish. They just had to let go to do it.

Man I loved this book. The characters were in depth and so emotional. It’s one I recommend for sure. Yes it’s angsty. But what part of life isn’t. Lol.

RATING:  

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