Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Confused Hearts 
SERIES: A Hometown Jasper Novel
AUTHOR: Nicky James
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 9 hours and 8 minutes
RELEASE DATE: February 4, 2021
BLURB:
Knox
Let me get one thing straight.
I am not in love with my best friend. My heart isn’t broken, and there is no “he” who’s going to swoop in and magically make it all better. Whatever that crazy psychic says, it’s not true!
I’m Knox MacKenzie, and I’m straight as an arrow. I like girls – even though they don’t always like me back. If my heart beats a little faster and my tummy gets a bit wobbly when the local bartender sets his fascinating eyes on me, it’s no one’s business but my own.
Lucky
Unrequited love might suck, but it brought Jasper, the loneliest man in small town, to my brewery. Knox has no idea how transparent he is – even when the batty old psychic tells him the truth to his face.
But Knox is convinced he’s straight. He’s convinced she’s confused. Well, I’m convinced those looks we share mean more.
What Knox needs is a friend to help him forget his broken heart and figure out who he truly is.
A low-angst, bisexual awakening, MM romance novel.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second book in this series. While it can be read as a standalone, it contains major spoilers for the first book and also there is a lot of context around Knox’s friendships and personality that would be beneficial to know.
Knox MacKenzie is not happy. He’s losing his best friend Easton. Ever since he took up with city slicker Lachlan the year before. Now they are getting married and Knox is having a lot of trouble accepting that. When East asks him to be his best man, Knox is pissed. OBVIOUSLY he is at most his second-best man, given that he’s marrying Lach. Easton doesn’t get it and honestly Knox isn’t sure he gets it – even though it’s his bad behavior and aching heart.
Lucky is the bartender at the local Brewery and pub. He’s noticed Knox over the years he’s been in Jasper – two to be exact. He’s wondered why now he’s not hanging out with his group of friends any more. He’s curious about the awkward and seemingly shy and lonely man. When he attempts more than just filling his drink order, Knox seems to be surprised. Lucky can see that Knox lacks self-esteem and he’s just a beaten down guy. But something in Knox calls to him. He’s always been on the outside – a child of cross-cultural adoption, he’s never really fit in anyway either – and that’s why he’s just kept moving his whole adult life. But he’s intrigued by what makes Knox tick and he wants to get to know him.
As Knox slowly begins to let his guard down with Lucky, they get to be a bit more friendly. When they attend the fall festival together, the decide for fun to get their fortunes ready by Lady Mallory – the local crazy lady psychic. And what she tells Knox knocks the wind out of him. Because she tells him a “he” will show him the past and that although his heart is broken, that man wasn’t for him. Well. Knox is straight! He’s always been straight. His heart isn’t broken – he’s just missing his best friend.
For Lucky, he’s convinced that Lady Mallory is onto something. Knox hasn’t questioned his sexuality – even though he’s never had a lot of luck or experience with women. And he is unhappy about East’s upcoming marriage – but he’s convinced himself that it’s because he never gets to spend time with his best friend and he’s being replaced. Lucky isn’t so sure that Knox is in denial about his true feelings about Easton. And about his growing feelings for Lucky. But Lucky explains that he’s pansexual as well as demisexual and he’s in no rush to anything. And Knox is just sooooo confused!
Lucky also has his own issues he’s working through. He’s stayed longer in Jasper than anywhere since he left Toronto. He’s starting to feel like this might be home. But he’s got some unfinished business that he wants to attend to as well and he’s nervous about that. He appreciates his best friend Josiah’s help and also Knox’s support. And as they grow closer, Knox and Lucky will have to decide if they are willing to find a way to be together and also be comfortable out in the world.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I was so intrigued by this town after listening to Clashing Hearts that I just couldn’t resist listening to Knox’s story. He’s sooooo mad during the previous book when East and Lach get together that there is definitely something more simmering beneath the surface. I loved that in this one, we find the sources of Knox’s low self-esteem and why he’s so reluctant to move on. Lucky was introduced in the previous book as well, but here we get to know him, his past and his life and desires. One of the most surprising thing about Lucky is his relationship with Josiah, the town newspaper owner and gossip monger. He’s NOT a friend of East’s or Knox’s and that’s a hurdle. But I’m more intrigued by him as well and can’t wait to get to the next book where hopefully we’ll get his real story 😉 Lucky’s always felt like an outsider – but he somehow feels comfortable with Knox. He does his best to help Knox see what other people see in him – not his perceived deficiencies that always seem to keep him down. His height, his weight, his lack of muscles or whatever it is keeps Knox down on himself. Lucky and Knox slowly build a relationship on trust and honesty and it’s really refreshing to swatch. I also absolutely loved Knox’s nosy sisters, brother-in-laws and niece and nephew 😀 His parents are wonderful also and the whole town of Jasper just comes to life in these book.
Nick J Russo continues to be a favorite narrator. I absolutely loved his acting in this one – particularly when Knox is beside himself with facing the truth 😉 His accents, his emotional depth and the humor shine through. I also really like his female voices 🙂 Highly recommended – and I’m on to the next book!
RATING: 
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