Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Definitely Deacon
SERIES: Belong To Me #2
AUTHOR: Vawn Cassidy
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 282 Pages
RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022
BLURB:
An emotional and humour filled roller-coaster ride through a sleepy little Cornish Bay.
Jesse Ainsley’s life running his busy veterinary practice in the sleepy Cornwall bay he grew up in leaves no time for a serious relationship… at least, that’s what he tells himself, but the simple truth is much more cliché. He’s been in love with his best friend forever, but when he starts pulling away and goes radio silent on him for six months, Jesse begins to wonder if their friendship is finally over.
Deacon James lives his life at two speeds, a hundred miles an hour and stop. He’s spent the last decade traveling the world, winning races, partying with the most beautiful men and women, and living life on his terms, a life which was pretty close to perfect… with just one caveat… he’s never quite been able to get over the boy he left behind. His best friend Jesse has always made him yearn for something he’s too afraid to face and cutting him out of his life seemed like the only answer.
But things are never that simple. When Deacon wakes from an accident in Italy with Jesse asleep in the hospital chair beside him, he discovers Jesse’s been keeping secrets of his own.
At a crossroads in their life, they’re faced with a choice, build something deeper and stronger from the ashes, or let words unsaid and secrets tear them apart forever.
From author Wendy Saunders writing as Vawn Cassidy comes this second chance, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort with a HEA.
REVIEW:
After years of loving his best friend, Jesse thinks it may be time to let go. After all, Deacon is a celebrity boat racer known worldwide, whose friends include societies elite. What could a veterinarian, happy in Cornwall, have to offer. But fate has other ideas starting with Deacon waking up in hospital after a near-fatal accident.
Definitely Deacon is book two in the Belong To Me, series. Each book features a specific couple whose journey to their HEA is complete by the end. When I read book one, Deacon and Jesse were the men whose story I looked forward to reading because they had a touch of the scene stealers about them – and I certainly was not disappointed.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Jesse and Deacon. Technically, the only part I had issues with, was the eyes being autonomous. It’s not only a pet hate of mine, but many editors frown upon it. E.g., ‘My eyes cataloged’ – the eyes don’t have their own memory or brainpower. Regardless of tense – the eyes are the tool, but the person did the cataloging using eyes, hands, etc. Everyone gets what is being conveyed, but the phrasing is editorially incorrect.
Anyhow, that gripe aside, everything else I loved. Worldbuilding and imagery were superb, and as I am a Brit who reads many American stories, I fully immersed myself in the British colloquialisms and familiar phrases. Oh, and let’s not forget sarcasm – it’s one of my many literary Achilles heels, and it’s in here in spades. I was in literary heaven.
As for the cast, there were plenty of potential scene-stealers. All are a riot with varying agendas—none of them out-shone Jesse and Deacon. But, to give any hints of who was a star and where would do readers the disservice of experiencing something special for themselves as there were plenty of places where I laughed, had palpitations, and cried. Deacon is a good man, but Jesse is someone special.
Definitely Deacon is a well-timed, page-turner of a story. It deals with friendship, blood and chosen family, anxiety, depression, careers, ways of life, high-flyers – I could go on. It also contains plenty of drama, angst and is thought-provoking. If it weren’t for a few technical issues – this would be a five hearts story. I thoroughly enjoyed every word.
RATING: 
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