Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Milo

SERIES: Finding Home #2

AUTHOR: Lily Morton

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 280 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 15, 2019

BLURB:

Once upon a time a brave knight rescued a young man. Unfortunately, he then spent the next few years bossing the young man around and treating him like a child.

Milo has been burying himself at Chi an Mor, hiding from the wreckage of his once promising career and running from a bad relationship that destroyed what little confidence he had. Niall, his big brother’s best friend, has been there for him that entire time. An arrogant and funny man, Niall couldn’t be any more different from the shy and occasionally stuttering Milo, which has never stopped Milo from crushing wildly on the man who saved him.

However, just as Milo makes the decision to move on from his hopeless crush, he and Niall are thrown into close contact, and for the first time ever Niall seems to be returning his interest. But it can never work. How can it when Milo always needs rescuing?

From the bestselling author of the Mixed Messages series comes a story about a man who needs to write his own happily ever after.

This is the second book in the Finding Home series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Content warning: There are descriptions of domestic abuse in this book.

REVIEW:

When Niall saves Milo from his abusive boyfriend, he takes the man to his friend’s Cornwall estate. Under the protection of Lord Ashworth and his husband Oz, Milo makes progress while concentrating on his work of conserving art. Niall is never far away, but Milo needs to know that he can protect himself rather than someone else doing it for him.

The story is told in the first person from Milo and Niall’s pov. Milo represents the return to the lovely estate of Chi an Mor, the location of the first tale in the series. After reading the first book, it felt like I was returning to the comfort of a seat beside the fire, drink in one hand and a good story in the other.

Five years after relocating to Chi an Mor, Oz has become Milo’s best friend and confidant. Niall has always been a friend of Milo’s family. Since childhood, Milo has wanted Niall, and never thought he could have him. He’d love Niall to see him as someone other than his friend’s little brother in need of protection.

One of Niall’s closest friends is Milo’s brother, Gideon, who is an in-the-closet famous actor and go-to fuck buddy. So, it is quite the shock to Niall when he suddenly sees Milo as a person he is attracted to. Awkward situations and talks ahead for Milo, Niall and Gideon.

In the process of events unwinding between Milo and Niall; the Oz influences I loved in book one make an appearance here. Such as the humorous insults between Niall and… everyone, including the master of sass, Oz. Also, the many references to good old British institutions, film, TV, and politics – I got them all. One criticism is that there are a few phrases that are repeated many times – Milo’s scent of Lemon and Rosemary is one that comes to mind. Another is that, with few exceptions, Men don’t clean up each other after sex. The best it often gets is handing over the box of tissues. It happens here, and the sentiment behind the manoeuvre is appreciated if not realistic.

More than one element made this story a superb read. The constant humour kept me smiling. It wasn’t overdone or forced. At various points throughout the story, both men believe the other is going to move on to someone else and the ensuing events kept me turning the page. Milo’s relationship with his brother is another angle, as is Niall’s past. After what happened between Milo and Thomas – the man who abused him – I understood how Milo felt that he needed to be able to stand up for himself, and be strong, before he could commit to anyone – especially someone who is protective of him.

There wasn’t a cast member I didn’t like, and Niall is a dream. This story left me with warm fuzzies, believing in the good of people.

RATING:

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