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reviews_and_ramblings
A Restored Man by Jaime ReeseGay Contemporary Romance
Series: The Men of Halfway House
Paperback: 362 pages
Publisher: Romandeavor, Incorporated; 1 edition (February 15, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0991457072
ISBN-13: 978-0991457076
Amazon: A Restored Man
Amazon Kindle: A Restored Man
Cole Renzo thinks his greatest challenge is to behave for the remainder of his term at Halfway House. Until he meets his new boss, Ty Calloway, a man who ticks off every box on Cole’s list of interests. A sought-after restorer and customizer of exotic and collectible cars, Ty had enough confidence to command what he wanted in life, until one fateful night changed everything. Almost two years later, he’s slowly rebuilding his life with great control. He’s defied the odds and works tirelessly to be the man he once was—but he still feels broken. Cole’s candor and unfiltered personality awaken Ty’s barely-remembered desire to greet each new day with a smile, while Ty’s unwavering acceptance of Cole’s quirks and brash humor makes Cole feel as if he fits in for the first time in far too long. When a nemesis threatens Ty’s personal restoration and the things he holds dear, Cole is determined to protect their relationship, even if that means sacrificing everything he’s worked so hard to achieve. But Ty will have to let his guard down, surrender control, and admit he needs Cole first, even if that puts himself at risk of breaking beyond repair.
An engaging story, with likeable characters. I began invested in their story very quickly and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. An interesting backdrop against car restoration added to the setting and storyline.
Despite some parts that didn’t actually advance the plot and could have been eliminated, the characters were presented as real, flawed, three-dimensional people I was happy to care about, and this includes the side characters and their families. The struggle of both men to see their own worth and see that good prevails over evil is riveting and full of unexpected turns, and the specialized car environment is well-researched and written with passion for cars as well as for romance.
