Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Elias
AUTHOR: Erin E. Keller
PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC
LENGTH: 129 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 5, 2019
BLURB:
Detective Thomas Doyle has been living a lonely, compartmentalized life ever since the death of his life partner, Aiden. He vowed never to let anybody get close to him again — the pain of losing a loved one is too much to bear. Despite his vow, Thomas is lonely, and has a number of one-night stands, sexual encounters with unnamed men he doesn’t care to remember.
Elias Byrne knows the pain of abuse and rejection intimately. Unable to escape the clutches of his older brother, Elias dreams of someone to love, and of being loved in return. He admires Thomas from afar, but the detective never pays him any notice. In a desperate attempt to get closer to him, Elias steals his wallet, then gives it back the next day.
Before he knows it, a strong attraction develops between them. Elias intrigues Thomas, but he resists his growing feelings because he doesn’t want to get hurt again. When Thomas rescues Elias from his abusive brother, will he also rescue them both from the loneliness that threatens to consume them? Can Elias conquer the detective’s hardened heart and find the love he always longed for? Or will Thomas stubbornly refuse to give himself another chance?
REVIEW:
First and foremost! Trigger! There is mention of rape, scenes of attempted rape, and physical abuse. For my first from this author, it was pretty good. I think the only thing I really had a problem with was the relationship with Thomas and Elias was…weird to a point. Now don’t misunderstand me. To go through what both have gone through, ANY real relationship trying to form will seem off because both sides have to get a feel of where they are and how they can trust, etc. So maybe weird isn’t the right word. Honestly I don’t think I can give a right word for how it felt to me without it sounding bad and I don’t want to do that. It will detract what they went through if I do…so moving on lol.
Both of these guys have had some crap in their lives. Thomas losing his husband so suddenly. Elias losing his parents, then being forced into abse and other things by his older, only brother. Both tragedies in different way, yet similar. But Elias is looking hard for someone to fill that void in him. He wants love and compassion. Kindness. And Thomas has a panic attacks at just thinking of moving on. Elias feels like he will find what he needs in Thomas, but Thomas can’t get past his age. Until an incident gives Thomas a bigger look in Elias’s life. And Thomas feels guilty and like crap for letting him get away. Thomas does all he can to find him, and with the help of his partner (police) things are starting to fall into place. But Elias is embarrassed and humiliated. Afraid Thomas won’t want him and pushes hard. Now it’s up to Thomas to show Elias how good it can really be, if he can get Elias to trust.
I felt horrible for Elias. Yeah, I’m empathetic with Thomas. Losing a spouse is hard, but dealing with what Elias has been through, that takes the cake. Elias remembers the good times with his mom before she died. He remembers good things. Then when his father died too, his brother Liam, well he got to see his true colors. He tries so hard to make him happy. Unfortunately at the expense of himself most often. It makes him feel dirty. Ashamed. Especially when he sets his sights on Thomas. But to Elias, Thomas is like the sun and he needs him. But how can he trust him? Especially when he finds out Thomas is a cop. It’s rough. Elias is just another one of those little guys that just wraps around your heart and you want to bubble wrap him. I love that the chemistry was there for them. They just had to get past the other.
Not bad. Not bad at all. I love little Elias. He made it for me. (He’s 23, I know, but he’s a little guy). I love these little guys. They keep fighting. Keep getting up even when they don’t want to. Good book. Give it a go!
RATING: 
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