Reviewed by Cindy
TITLE: Lab Rat
AUTHOR: Cheryl Headford
PUBLISHER: eXtasy Books Inc.
LENGTH: 391 Pages
RELEASE DATE: February 15, 2019
BLURB:
Gabriel’s life ground to a halt some time ago, but he’s still running—from his past, his family, and now the new man in his life. A man who just won’t get the message that Gabriel isn’t interested in love anymore.
Laurie won’t give up on the beautiful man who is broken and intent on running away. Even though he doesn’t know what Gabriel is running from, he’s determined to be at his side no matter what.
When Gabriel’s past finally catches up, they both stop running and find themselves plunged into something Laurie could not have dreamed of, and Gabriel never stopped having nightmares about.
REVIEW:
Gabriel was a man who does his best to keep everyone at arm’s length or more. He lives in terror of things he feels like he can never escape and while he has some good friends who don’t give up on him. he feels like there’s no room for any kind of romantic relationship.
Laurie, however, sees something more in Gabriel. All it takes is one short meeting and he’s absolutely entranced. Giving up on something that means so much to him isn’t his style and he gives Gabriel’s stubbornness a run for its money.
I had a hard time with the start of this book. Gabriel wasn’t someone who’s easy to like at first. I thought he was kind of an asshole, but as time goes on, I came to realize that he had good reason for his behavior. He’s been broken by people who used and discarded him and it’s led to a life of pain and fear for him.
I had a hard time with Laurie as well, for the simple fact that I couldn’t understand his determination to get to know Gabriel even though Gabriel was terrible to him. It took me a bit to see what Laurie did.
I will admit to forcing myself through the first quarter of the book, but I kept reading because the other works I’ve read of this author absolutely blew me away and I kept hoping that when the turn around came, it would be epic.
It totally was. Once we get to the twist it’s a roller coaster of emotions that keeps you hanging on for more.
I don’t want to say too much and give it all away, but once it turns the corner it fulfills all the expectations I had for this author’s work.
Gabriel is a truly heartbreaking character that once he drew me in, I loved him with all my heart. I could finally understand the draw that Laurie felt towards this man who has been tormented beyond belief. Once the reason for his behavior became clear, I was furious with what had been done to him. He’s broken and scared, but still far braver than most people could ever hope to be.
Laurie might be the only man braver than Gabriel, for the simple fact that he never let’s go and never gives up, even when he would have ever right to run screaming. He and Gabriel are each other’s salvation.
Once again Cheryl Headford has crafted complex characters who steal my heart away and made me so glad that I stuck it out through the tough parts.
It’s not perfect, but the good definitely overshadows the bad and I hope you will give this story a chance.
RATING: 
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