Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Torch Songs

SERIES:  Bonfires

AUTHOR:  Amy Lane

PUBLISHER:  Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH:  445 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 24, 2024

BLURB:

Life hasn’t been easy for honky-tonk guitarist Guthrie Woodson, but he’s practiced at enduring the bad times and treasuring the good. He’s been in love before, and while the guy just got married, Guthrie figures that now that he knows what love is, he’ll recognize it if it comes his way again.

Which makes his attraction to Tad Hawkins, the Sacramento cop who has been showing up to Guthrie’s weekend gigs, all the more dangerous.

Tad’s had troubles of his own, but he’s always felt loved. Trying to coax Guthrie, his snakebit guitarist, into his arms is an exercise in patience, but Tad has experience with that. His sister, April, is in addiction recovery. He can take it slow if it means he’ll get to keep some “Guthrie goodness” for himself.

But then Tad has an accident and Guthrie’s forced to take actions that leave his vulnerable heart exposed. Tad must fast-track his plans to gentle Guthrie in his life, and Guthrie needs to clear out the history holding him back. Can they forge a solid future on the shifting sands of fortune, or will Guthrie’s past and Tad’s present break them apart before they have a chance?

REVIEW:

Note:  This is the fourth book in this series but it works as a standalone.  I highly recommend the previous books though as well as String Boys 😉

Guthrie Woodson is a musician with a day job and a dream of doing music full time.  He’s had some setbacks and some heartbreaks.  He’s not had the easiest of lives, but he’s making do.

Tad Hawkins is a Sacramento police officer who has not been lucky in love.  He’s lost his mother and nearly lost his little sister to addiction.  He’s got a good partner on the force and he’s doing ok.  But he wants someone of his own.

When Guthrie and Tad cross paths at a gig, well there is a spark.  They have a great weekend and seem to get along really well. They are working on their misaligned schedules to have more time together while texting 🙂

Then Tad gets involved in a real disaster of a case.  He’s in trouble. He can’t get any word to April, his little sister who is in a rehab/half-way house nor Guthrie.  Then April shows up at Guthrie’s work and he has to make a decision to get to Tad.  This could cost both him and April a lot. But this is a man who is worth it.

Of course you know things can’t go smoothly.  Tad’s got issues.  Guthrie has issues.  People are depending on them.  There are obstacles.  But both men are worth far more than they’ve given themselves credit for. Neither are strangers to heartache but they learn to lean on each other 🙂

This is such quintessential Amy Lane and I loved it.  Characters from other series popping up.  Secondary characters from a previous book who niggle at the back of the reader (and writer’s) mind who deserve their own epic story and HEA.  Seeing the same scenes from alternative POVs – perfection!  This story is sooo beautiful.  Guthrie and Tad have both been through A LOT!  Why?  Because that’s life.  Loss of a parent.  Alcoholic parent.  Addiction and recovery.  Just look at the news – this is stuff people are going through on the daily.  Trying to build a life while also having a meaningful career.  Being vulnerable and being there for others in their vulnerability.  Slipping.  Setbacks.  Failure.  New plans.  New directions.  Tough but supportive love.  This story has everything.  Sometimes things do get worse before they get better.  But true to her commitment to romance, things do get better.  And it gets better for them together.  I loved this story and these men.  Sooooo good.  Another winner for Amy Lane and highly recommended.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon