Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Battle for the Top
SERIES: Heroes at Home
AUTHOR: Willow Dixon
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 272 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 23, 2022
BLURB:
I know who I am and what I want, but Jordan makes me question everything. – Luke
My life is as predictable as it comes. I go to work at my security job, I hang out with my friends, and I spend my free time alone. I don’t want or need anyone or anything else.
Then I’m assigned a night contract with Jordan, who’s my complete opposite, and my world is flipped upside down.
Jordan is friendly, outgoing, and nothing like the men I’m usually attracted to. He’s also big, confident, and can turn me to putty with just his words. I don’t know who I am when I’m with him, and while he makes me feel better than anyone ever has, I’m not sure I’m ready to let someone else take control.
I like Jordan, and I trust him, but is that enough for me to give in and let him take care of me?
***Battle for the Top is aa 75k word opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort story featuring a jaded former soldier turned security guard, his friendly but guarded co-worker, a found family, and accidental feels. It is Book 2 in the Heroes at Home series, but can be read as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Luke Foster is an ex-military guy who is working as a security guard. He lives a pretty barebones existence. He’s got his job and his friends/family in his army buddies and he hooks up when he has the urge. He’s started a new contract with his job and that means a new coworker. He’s hoping for an improvement over the last guy he worked with who was lazy and ranted about any and everything. His new co-worker is Jordan and he seems like a decent guy, if a little talkative 😉 They are working 12 hour shifts overnight, so they have a lot of time together.
Jordan Sanders is an easygoing guy. He lives with Ella, his BFF. They’ve been besties for a while. Jordan is a serial monogamist and he confesses to Luke right away that he is gay also. They seem to have a good rapport. Luke is quiet and a bit closed off but as they work together more, she opens up little bit by little bit. He doesn’t have a car and Jordan volunteers to carpool with him despite Luke not having a car. They both are kind of nursing secret crushes on each other 🙂 Then one night on their way home there, there is trouble. And everything changes. Despite neither of them being the kind of guys they each normally go for, there is a bond between them. The hook up and Luke takes care of Jordan when he needs it most. But Jordan is also taking care of Luke in his own way.
Luke is pretty freaked out that he is enjoying this new dynamic with Jordan. It’s unlike anything he’s ever experienced before. He’s been walled off for a long time for a number of reasons – childhood trauma, experience in war zones, overcoming addiction, etc. He’s been sober for three years and he’s doing Ok with the help of his friends, but he doesn’t know what to make of this new a completely different relationship with Jordan. He’s never had a boyfriend. He doesn’t date and he’s not sure what he’s feeling or what he should do. Thankfully he’s got his good friends who re able to help him through. He begins to share more of himself with Jordan and let him see the real Luke which he’s never thought was worthy or deserving of love and respect. Jordan completely disagrees. He encourages Luke to share where his head is at and he makes sure that Luke knows that he admires him and his strength. He’s sorry for Luke’s been through, but he doesn’t pity him.
Luke has a lot of baggage to deal with. His friends are his family and as he deals with his past and looks to the future, Gage, Sarge and Doc all give him good advice. Jordan is a sweetheart and his care with Luke help to break down the barriers that Luke has built to protect himself. Moving from hooking up to a satisfying relationship does take some time, but they are both all in and they are actually quite sweet together 🙂
I wasn’t totally sure what to expect with this second boo in the series. I really like Gage and Tyler’s story and I feel like this was just as good, but in a more serious way. Luke’s past and the things he had dealt with were really serious – dysfunctional family, army career, alcohol addiction, staying sober – were a bit darker than anything in the first story. Jordan was really a ray of light in Luke’s world. I loved them together. Both are strong men in their own ways and it takes Luke a while to get over some of his hangups about letting anyone else care for him – in a lot of ways. His army buddy family were fantastic – each providing him with the wisdom and support to help him do the right thing. i love Jordan’s family and his BFF Ella. Be warned, there is a LOT of sec in this story. However, it’s integral to the plot and character development because it’s a bit metaphorical for Luke especially in that he is extremely fearful to give up any kind of control and this is totally new territory for him. I love all of these guys and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3. Highly recommended especially for fans of character growth and change and acceptance.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: