Reviewed by Cheryl K

TITLE: Relocation

SERIES: Restitution Series #1

AUTHOR: B.H Lynn

PUBLISHER: Self published

LENGTH: 208 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2024

BLURB:

Homicide Detective Adam Dawson’s life is a never-ending nightmare. Caught in the grips of a toxic marriage built on trauma and shared secrets, and suspended from Chicago PD, his only shot at redemption lies in small town Peyton Illinois. All he has to do is complete a six-month assignment with the local authorities while things blow over back home, work on his issues and addictions, and come back home to right the ship.

But when he meets Detective Caleb Straus, a man with his own traumatic past, he’ll find that much like everything else in his life, nothing goes to plan. Time alone to think for himself brings up devastating realizations, and the last thing he needs is someone like Caleb making things more difficult. His new partner is kind to his own detriment, and determined to make up for the mistakes of his past and shattered expectations of the community he loves. He’s fluent in Adam’s language, and even though Adam is a walking red-flag, Caleb’s determined not to give up on him the way everyone gave up on him.

When the local High School’s principal ends up murdered in what appears to be a crime of passion, the two are forced to learn to work together quickly. As they weave through the secrets in the principal’s closet, and a string of blackmail, they find how thin the line is between wants and needs, and what happens when you get greedy.

Both men are helpless to fight the bond forming between them, but that doesn’t change the cold hard facts. And when reality sets in, the devastation might be enough to obliterate any hope they’ve found, in life, themselves, and each other.

TW: Suicidal ideations. Alcohol and prescription drug addiction. Cheating (Not between main characters.)

REVIEW:

Wow, where do I start with this new book and series from B.H. Lynn.  From the get-go this book packs a punch…  These are the type of books I really enjoy reading.  All the intrigue and a complicated romance thrown in.  I must issue a warning for this book – it is a tough, gritty look at real life, and I really recommend you read the trigger warnings before you dive into this book.

Her worldbuilding in this book is fantastic.  We get cold dash of reality from the opening pages of this book.  We go from the affluent lifestyle of Chicago to a rural town, with more homophobia than you can shake a stick at.

There is so much character development and we get such a deep, intimate look into their lives, and the side characters as well. From Adam’s boozing and pill popping and his misanthrope of a husband – we get to see a broken and battered main character, that is not so sure life wouldn’t be better off with out him.  Caleb, our recovering alcoholic, has demons of his own to battle, made all the more complicated by being partnered with Adam, at his job as a detective with the Peyton Police Department.

I turned and froze. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled as none other than Caleb walked into the bullpen.

Caleb stopped mid-stride; his grey-blue eyes rounded in shock. His mouth fell open before he recovered and wrangled it into a dashing smile. He’d been attractive enough last night, but now, in a well-fitted navy-blue suit and brown oxfords, he was stunning. The white shirt hugged the curves of his chest, and the absence of a tie intrigued a part of my mind it shouldn’t have.

“Hi Adam.” Caleb’s grin grew wider, showing off straight, pearly teeth.

“You know each other?” Branson raised his eyebrows between us.

“We met last night.” Caleb held my gaze. “Briefly.”

My mouth went dry, words foreign to my brain as I looked him over. I knew I’d see Caleb at work, but I wasn’t prepared for him to be my partner. Or be captivated by that infectious, boyish grin. Fucking great.

With each new story from BH, I find the prose get’s better and better.  Even with the tough subject matter, she brings so much to the page and brought out all the feels for me.  From heartbreak to moments of happiness.  This one is a bit of a slow burn, with good reason.  This also ends with a happy for now moment and a cliffhanger.  So be prepared to want to dive into the next book right away.  I know I can’t wait to see what happens with this group of characters.

I highly recommend this book and hope everyone runs off to their favorite eBook purchasing site and grabs up this book.  I know I can’t wait for the next book, how bout you…

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon