Reviewed by Lesley
TITLE: Calvin
SERIES: Almstead Island – Newcomer’s Club, book 2
AUTHOR: Kerry Kilpatrick
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 275 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 28, 2025
BLURB:
What could go right with an inexperienced Daddy and a boy who’s scared to help him learn?
Calvin
Between my tech firm and family’s endowment fund, there’s no shortage of people trying to get close to me. Offering a trespasser a job to run interference makes no sense, but neither does my instant attraction to sweet, submissive Micah. I never expected to fall in love with a man, let alone be the Daddy who takes on all his burdens.
Micah
My life has never been easy, and my only option left was to sell myself. The intimidating and wildly sexy Calvin Rutledge offers me a lifeline out of the garden shed and off the streets. In exchange for room, board, and a chance at a better future, I would be his companion. But I never anticipated falling in love with my boss or craving the care that comes with being his boy.
This is Book Two of the Almstead Island: Newcomer’s Club. The series is interconnecting, but each story can be read as a standalone. This novel involves a Daddy/boy dynamic, but no age play. Please know that there are instances of abuse in this story, though not between the main characters. You can find more information in the forward matter. There is a HEA for this couple and no cliffhanger, but some character redemptions will take longer than others.
REVIEW:
I would really recommend you read the authors note at the start of this book. It will make your heart break when you realise that whilst Micah is fictional the situation he is in at the start could well be happening to young people today due to bureaucracy and over stretched resources in all government departments aimed at looking after children in the care system around the world.
We first met Calvin & Micah seven months ago in book one of the series Will. Beckett a policeman gets called out to Calvin’s estate when a young guy (Micah) is found squatting in his shed. I add this in because this book feels like it has been a long time coming and with the heavy topics involved compared to many of Kerry’s recent releases it makes sense to me why that is. Although if I think of it in terms of Christmas this book does have a fairy tale worthy ending you will be pleased to hear.
Calvin isn’t really very likeable at the start. He is brusque when he talks to Micah and quite imperious. He just doesn’t seem to know how to not be, even though the last thing he wants to do is hurt or upset Micah, he wants to protect him. Not that he understands why he feels like that about him.
I have rated this book higher than Will (Book one) because it has stuck with me more and if I am honest a lot of that is to do with the Authors Note at the start. It made Micah real; his behaviours are real such as only having the minimum that you can pack up in a hurry and always carrying your important stuff with you is what these kids really do do; it made what he was going through more painful. I wouldn’t be able to keep going in his situation.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series as Emil as Anders from the Just a Little series also set on Almstead is finally going to get his story that I have been begging for since last February.
RATING: 
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