Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Nothing to Lose
AUTHOR: E.M. Lindsey
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 225 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 8, 2023
BLURB:
Once upon a time, in a small seaside town, a happy man living a happy life brings other people joy with his delicious bakes.
And then a storm cloud moves in next door, and suddenly things are…different.
A war between them is brewing, like a hurricane offshore, and if Peyton isn’t careful, Hudson is going to sweep him into the raging waters like a tsunami.
Nothing To Lose is a previously released serial novel set in a small-town featuring a grumpy neighbor with a secret profession, a sunshine baker who thinks a few well baked, browned butter cookies can solve a lot of problems, a stray cat, a noisy bird, and the sweetest happily ever after.
REVIEW:
Peyton is finally getting back on his feet. He’s had major surgery and is still recovering. His life will never be the same. He’s lost his bakery and he’s looking at a way that he can restart his baking career online with the help of his brother an BFF. But the surgery has irrevocably changed his sexual life and he’s pretty depressed about that. It’s also not something he is very comfortable with sharing and despite some suggestions from his bestie he just isn’t sure. Meantime, he’s got a new neighbor who has moved in next door is and being kind of a jerk to him – sending back his baked goods with snarky notes.
Hudson is a divorced guy whose husband cheated and left after he had major surgery that left him partially paralyzed and unable to perform sexually they way he did before the surgery. Hudson also has a very unsupportive and emotionally abusive mother who has contributed to his rather gloomy outlook. When his neighbor tries to give him baked goods, he resolutely is not interested. His best friend and business partner call him out on his bad behavior, but he’s determined not to interact with the hot younger neighbor. Until he is.
Peyton is an oversharer and when Hudson finally makes contact, he sort of blurts out his situation. Eventually Hudson shares his past as well. Then there is a strange coincidence that cements their friendship even more. And when Hudson tries to help Peyton, via his own business venture, well things change between them 🙂
This is a really amazing story about characters that frankly don’t get a lot of representation in romance books. Both Peyton and Hudson are dealing with life altering medical conditions. One of the alterations – for both of them – is how they function sexually after surgery and what that entails for each of them. I am always impressed with how E.M. writes differently abled characters. This is an amazing story with two MCs who have different things to work through after their treatment that changes their sex lives completely. I don’t want to spoil the story, because I think it’s a good reveal that occurs in layers. There are some coincidences that further the drama but in the end, these are two guys who have some shared experiences and in each other find someone to understand and appreciate who they are – in total. It’s not just about sex but about desire and connection and intimacy that draws these two rather lonely hearts together. I really enjoyed their journey and how they were able to be there for each other. An unusual and uplifting romance. Recommended.
RATING: 
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