Reviewed by Anna Lynn

TITLE:  House of Cards

SERIES:  Porth Ewan Bay (Rebel Kings MC)

AUTHOR:  Garrett Leigh

PUBLISHER:  Fox Love Press

LENGTH:  222 pages

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2024

BLURB:

What’s better than one broody tattoo artist? TWO, that’s what. Hurt/comfort, friends-to-lovers, and forced proximity combine in this gorgeous second chance MM romance.

Calum Hardy’s life has unravelled. Reeling from the betrayal of a man he once loved, he boards a train heading south, with no real idea where he’s going except a world away from London.

Brix Lusmoore can hardly believe his eyes when he spots one of his oldest friends outside Truro station. He hasn’t seen Calum since he fled the capital himself four years ago, harbouring a life-changing secret. But despite the years of silence, their old bond remains, warm and true—and layered with simmering heat they’ve never forgotten.

Calum takes refuge with Brix and a job at his Porth Ewan tattoo shop. Bit by bit, he rebuilds his life, but both men carry the ghosts of the past, and it will take more than a rekindled friendship and the magic of the Cornish coast to chase them away.

REVIEW:

This is the story of Calum and Brix, two old friends who are Tattoo artists way back when they were still both working and living in London. When Calum Hardy’s life disintegrated due to the man he thought loved him and he loves, he hopped on a train heading far far away from London.

He always thought that Rob did what he did to him because he loved him but this time it just went too far. Rob always has something over Calum’s head, well this time Calum have had it, it just isn’t worth anymore. And people who love each other should always be there for each other right, for better or for worse (I know this is a wedding vow but you don’t have to be married in order to be there for someone you love).

Brix Lusmoore was a star Tattoo artist in London, in fact Calum apprenticed for him way back then, but when something was revealed to him during a medical incident, he hightailed it out of London and went home to Porth Ewan. There he started  his new life and established his tattoo shop. His secret is something that he holds close to his heart, no one knows. Not his family, not his friends.

When Brix saw Calum outside the train station, he couldn’t believe his eyes. He never dreamed of seeing Calum again. He invited Calum to come home with him and stay with him until he gets back to his feet. He offered Calum a seat in his tattoo shop.

These two men have been through life-changing circumstances in their lives and now they are just trying to live day by day. They are trying to heal. But old feelings from way back start resurfacing again. They were attracted to each other even back then but due to having their own lives and careers to focus on, and Brix had a partner back then, it never really happened like it was supposed to but here is another chance for them, just for them.

I discovered Garrett Leigh nearly two years ago and ever since I have been looking forward to the books released in her name. Her writing is beautiful and really angst-worthy. I love her stories. I love the Rebel Kings series, love it so much! In this book, Rubi, Cam and Saint were mentioned several times and I love that these two worlds connect from time to time. So if you are someone who loves angst in their stories, give Garrett Leigh a try, you will get hooked.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

Amazon