Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Year of Awakening
SERIES: Love in a Changing Climate #1
AUTHOR: Chris Cheek
PUBLISHER: 2FM Limited
LENGTH: 244 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 27, 2018
BLURB:
Why should it matter to me that there was going to be a good-looking, charming gay boy around the office? I was forty-two, for God’s sake and had nothing to offer a young man like that, even if I was prepared to do anything about my sexuality. Which I was not. Because we all knew what the outcome of that would be. So there. End of subject.
Prickly, irascible and totally dedicated to his environmental consultancy business, Steve Frazer has no time for hook-ups or relationships; they belong to the past, to another life that he left behind two decades ago. Consequently, his powerful attraction to a new recruit, bright, funny, out-and-proud Josh Ashcroft, is an unwelcome emotion.
Initially the two men clash badly. Steve’s attempts to rein in his feelings make him seem cruel and intolerant. Josh, battling the pressures of his first major job, struggles to cope with his boss’s harshness. Yet despite this, the two men are drawn to each other…
Their burgeoning relationship awakens painful memories for both men. If they are to have a future together, they need to shed the baggage of the past and reclaim their lives. Is that possible? And how will Steve cope with a family bereavement that draws him back home to the village he has not seen for twenty years, since the events that drove him to a solitary, loveless existence?
REVIEW:
I’ve got to tell you, this is one hell of a story, but I have to warn you, there are some possible triggers. One MC, had to go to prison for a false charge and was basically someone’s….bitch, his lover was said to have committed suicide, but was murdered, and the other MC was mentally, verbally and emotionally abused. I can’t go into anymore details without giving away the story, but I do want you to be aware of that much. The stories do go into detail as they explain what has happened to them, and it’s not pretty. But if you can get past that, the writing of this book is phenomenal. It pulls no punches, whatsoever. The characters are flawed and know it, but it’s a story of second chances and hope. Of overcoming what was done and moving forward. Working past your fears and following your heart and your dreams. It’s really a powerful story.
Steve is known at work to have people walking on eggshells around the office. If it weren’t for his partner and assistant, many may have left. But somehow, they know how and when to soothe and calm the storm. So when it comes to a new person being hired, Steve is adamant they not hire Josh, even if he is the best and most qualified. But the other two remind him, they need Josh and he’s hired. Everything seems to be going smooth while Steve is away, but when he comes back, he treats Josh like crap, never praising the work he’s done and taking his foul moods out on him. Until Josh finally has enough and lashes back, at the delight of Steve’s partner and assistant. It forced Steve to really look hard at how he’s been acting and admit why. And it shifted something between them. But Steve has something horrible from his past that has happened to him and he knows he has to tell Josh before they can move forward. But he’s terrified Josh will run. But what he doesn’t know, is Josh has his own horror story and is just as afraid. So it’s going to take a lot of trust and faith that they can get through these stories and move forward. And deal with everything that’s coming along with it.
Steve and Josh have had some very horrible things happen to them. And it’s not pretty. I felt so much for them, it had me in tears. It’s been so bad, it’s left Steve alone for over 20 years and Josh alone for several years himself. It’s scary and hurtful. But what I love about these two, is even when the chips are down, Josh at least, keeps trying. Steve has to have a kick in the butt every so often, but when he does, he sees the error of his ways and wants to make it right. To do better. And that’s what is important. To try and fix it, even if it means swallowing a crapload of pride. But these two have gotten under each others skins, despite their pasts. And they want that second chance at life and love. It’s never easy. Any relationship isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work. But with their baggage, it takes a lot of reaffirming where they stand and how much they mean to each other. And can continue to mean. If they just let go and trust the other will catch them if and when they fall.
It’s a harsh but beautiful story. And I’m glad there’s an HEA, but it’s not an easy journey. But then again, life never is. I highly recommend this story.
RATING: 
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