Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Micah

SERIES:  Love at the Haven

AUTHOR:  Stella Shaw

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH:  194 pages

RELEASE DATE:  April 11, 2021

BLURB:

Easygoing Micah takes the role of peacemaker at the Haven Hotel, where he’s one of the long-standing escorts. But beneath his tolerance he’s hiding turmoil and anger he daren’t let loose—the last time it got the better of him, his whole family fractured. However, on one fateful night, Micah strikes back at an abusive client, and also finds startling passion with a pop star travelling incognito. Blindsided by both, his life is never going to be the same.

Fox’s band is an online sensation, just about to break into live events. A talented songwriter with his career on the rise, he’s held the band together since they were all in college. So why does his public life now fill him with dread, threatening to rob him of his precious voice? Seeking anonymous comfort at the Haven, he’s mistakenly paired with Micah, and what was meant to be a straightforward business transaction affects him in a way he never imagined.

Two confused men in need of love and understanding—can they find it together?

REVIEW:

Micah continues the Love at The Haven series in the same vein as the other books: a sweet, feel good story with endearing characters. This installment is more low-key and slower paced than its predecessors, but it’s a very enjoyable story, nonetheless.

The strength of the series is its sweet characters. The men at The Haven are a family, not just a group of escorts trying to earn money to get by. It’s a safe, sex-positive establishment where the escorts mostly enjoy their work. That is, except for the night this book opens with, when a nasty customer turns violent with Tom and Liam. With Liam unable to meet with his next client, Micah takes his place with the pale, freckled man hiding behind sunglasses and a hoodie.

Fox is attempting to conceal his identity as a new pop sensation on the London scene, but Micah doesn’t know who he is anyway. Fox is as intrigued by the other man – with his blond-tipped dreadlocks and an interesting tattoo on his dark skin – as Micah is with him. The Love at The Haven series is notable for the level of tenderness between its characters, and that holds true here. There is definite attraction between the men beyond the sexual, and their time together is deliciously sensual. Micah’s humming gets them talking about music and songwriting which strengthens the intimate bond forming between them.

After their night together, neither can forget the other, but Micah is sure he could never fit into Fox’ life. At a young age, he had to step up to take care of his mother and two younger siblings after his step-father ran off. A traumatic event in his past has warped his self-perception and given rise to fears about his future, clouding his budding relationship with Fox.

The usual gang from The Haven make appearances, including Rick, Eliot, Arne, Tom and Liam. Micah’s family, especially his brother Jaden, add to the story, and a villain adds to the drama.

While this is a lovely book, I don’t feel it’s as strong as the previous two. I found there to be a little too much back and forth talk about Fox’ desires before and during sex. It seemed realistic for a sex for hire scenario, but it slowed down the momentum of the sexy times and I couldn’t fall into the emotions as easily as I would’ve liked. Also, both men felt younger than their early to mid-twenties ages. But beside those small niggles, this is a solid book I’m happy to recommend. I look forward to the fourth book in the series and hope Arne’s story is coming soon, too.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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