Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Second Priority
AUTHOR: Este Holland
SERIES: Priorities #2
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 136 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2020
BLURB:
Sometimes it takes that special someone to open our hearts.
Riley
My heart belonged to him the moment we met. Four years later and my feelings haven’t changed.
Daniel Winters was closed off, unapproachable for anything but sex, and I refused to give in. I was—and still am—worth more than a one-night stand.
But lately something’s changed in him. Something I can’t resist. And my heart is demanding it won’t be second priority any longer.
Daniel
The world is changing. I’m changing. It used to be my job was all I cared about. Getting a good story and telling the truth was priority. But now I find myself lonely, looking for something or someone to make my world bright.
Someone like Riley.
It’s been years since we first met, and I messed it all up. I’m not going to let him get away again, even if I do screw up occasionally.
When a blackmailer interrupts our new life, I may stumble, but Riley will help me pick up the pieces. We won’t go down without a fight.
REVIEW:
Este Holland was unknown to me until recently when I reviewed a couple of her novels. There’s something about her style that speaks to me. And that was before she got to the dirty talk and kink. Holy Guacamole! I now appreciate her writing in a whole new way. The chemistry and heat are off the charts.
Movie star Truman James’ best friend Daniel and his PA Riley we’re introduced to us in First Priority, book one of Holland’s Priority series. While Truman and new love Adam are away in Ireland, Australian Daniel is staying at Truman’s Malibu home where Riley works. After how much I enjoyed First Priority, I couldn’t wait for the second installment. I wasn’t disappointed.
Daniel is a renowned freelance journalist who travels the world in pursuit of his next story. He and Riley met four years ago, but at the time, Daniel was all about the sex and one night stands, which was not Riley’s scene. He was also drinking heavily. Presently, Daniel is ready for a life change, ready to settle down, and he has his sights on Riley, who makes it clear he is still not a one and done kind of guy, and the drinking needs to stop.
Daniel gave a long and windy sigh. “Okay. Harsh truth: I’m tired. I want to change. I want to be better. I want one place, one person to call my own and come home to.” I sucked in a breath when Daniel uttered the same words I’d thought only hours before. “I’d like that to be you … If you want.”
Is it a case of unrequited lust? Or love? Maybe Riley’s picked up a few acting tips from Truman because he keeps his true feelings hidden. But then both men are ready to commit and embark on a relationship. When bad circumstances befall them, they are better equipped to handle it together.
Second Priority is told in dual first-person perspectives and runs concurrently with the timeline in First Priority. There’s not much provided in terms of backstory for the main characters, but this is relationship focused with a side of light suspense so I didn’t miss it. Truman and Adam make brief appearances and there are couple of bad guys, but there’s not a lot in the way of side characters.
Like her other books, this one is an enjoyable read. That sounds like a mild compliment until you break it down: enJOYable. They are a joy to read and as with the others I’ve read, I highly recommend Second Priority. I also eagerly look forward to book three in the series with Brian and Jay, I presume. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go read some of Ms. Holland’s back catalog.
RATING: 
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