Reviewed by True
TITLE: Reluctantly You
SERIES: Our Exception #3
AUTHOR: Cora Rose
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 354 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2024
BLURB:
They say blood makes you related but loyalty makes you a family…
Sounds like a tacky wall-art quote to me. But what do I know? I don’t have a family. Not anymore. And I definitely don’t know loyalty. Not since my brothers collectively decided to shut me out of their lives… Not since my mother lied to me and kept a devastating secret… Not since my father sold our company out from under me to a smug jerk with a chip on his shoulder.
Gideon Masters… he’s my new boss, and I hate him for everything that’s happened to me. For everything that’s been taken away. Even though I know, deep down, that being an angry bastard all my life hasn’t done me any favors, and that my hatred must have consequences. So maybe Gideon is my rightful punishment. Maybe I deserve his retribution for my sins. But the way he taunts me and torments me, the way he commands me, it all feels too good to be wrong. Maybe I don’t want him to stop. Maybe my punishment could also be my savior.
This story contains intense themes of depression and homophobia, as well as other potential triggers. Please see the full list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
REVIEW:
“No one wants you. No one cares about you.”
That’s the core feeling of Mitchell Morris
Having parents but not really, having brothers but not really, and now a company that’s not really his.
It’s getting darker and darker in his head.
The new CEO of the company that should be Mitch’s, isn’t amused by Mitch’s attitude.
Gideon Masters got what he wanted, the company from Jack Morris, the man he hates deeply.
And now he finds out the son is as bad as his father!
Mitch hates himself, his whole life he’s been indoctrinated to be tough, a ‘real’ man, show no feelings, talk no feelings, you don’t cry, and certainly not be your true self. He was as awful as his father and pushed everyone away. He’s suffering and giving up on himself.
That’s how Gideon finds him, giving up.
Gideon hates how much he cares for Mitch. Mitch hates Gideon for making him feel things he isn’t allowed to feel.
Thank goodness for Gideon’s determination!
The way up is hard, the internalized homophobia is settled deep, the process is painful and slow, but Mitch is getting there, reluctantly first, withdraw where he can, but when he gives in, something beautiful and colourful is happening!
Watch Mitch’s dreams come true!
I loved this story, even the parts where I wanted it to go faster, but that’s on me, it was all quite impressive. The feelings were heartfelt and palpable. The characters are wonderfully layered painted, pardon the pun.
This was the final book of the awesome Our Exception series about the lives of four brothers.
RATING: 
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