Review: When to Hold Them by G.B. Gordon (Bluewater Bay #9)
Note: This ARC was provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Gambling is an addiction that's gotten Doran Callaghan into trouble more than once and he's still paying for it. A few weeks after getting out of jail, Doran is now in the state of Washington trying to complete a reintegration program while also trying to stay away from all forms of gambling. Of course, these are all easier said than done, but he's found himself a weekly distraction in the form of Xavier Wagner, a park ranger who stops by the nearby gas station every Sunday. When they finally meet face-to-face, Xavier's as drawn to Doran as Doran is to him. While Xavier likes to push the boundaries, Doran doesn't seem to have any. As secrets drive a wedge between them, will they be able to face Doran's past when it comes calling?
When to Hold Them by G.B. Gordon is the ninth installment in popular multi-authored Bluewater Bay series and is about Doran Callaghan, a twenty-two-year-old young man trying to deal with his gambling addiction, and Xavier Wagner, a twenty-seven-yer-old park ranger who prefers to solitude being surrounded by nature brings. Doran's had a crush on Xavier for weeks and spends a portion of his Sundays watching the park ranger from his spot in the town's tourist center. There are a few awkward meetings before they go on their first date, but they've got a connection that both want to explore. Their relationship undergoes challenges from both sides, especially when it comes to Doran's gambling issues.
Xavier and Doran were two men who seemed to be perfect for each other--Xavier liked being in control and Doran liked giving it up. But with this kind of relationship, communication is always key and there are limits that must be set and agreed upon if there's any hope for it to flourish. Doran may be submissive in the bedroom but he can be very evasive and defensive outside of it, often refusing to divulge what's going on in his head, and Xavier has a thing about secrecy and lying. Doran has a lot of complications in his life while Xavier's life is far simpler and the whole idea of control becomes a more encompassing thing with Xavier wanting Doran to make the right decisions and choices for his life and not fall back into gambling.
The story was good and I liked how readers are given glimpses into the lives of Xavier and Doran separately, even after they became a couple, enabling us to see how things have changed once they got together. Doran's addiction wasn't something that was handled lightly and his constant struggle with it and his need to find a program that fit him showed that there is no easy or singular fix to this sort of situation. Doran is, and I suspect, will always be a work in progress, as is his relationship with Xavier, but the story is one about hope and trust, and anything's possible for as long as the two people involved are willing to put in the work and remain patient and understanding. When to Hold Them receives four out of five stars. ♥
Release Date: 17 August 2015
Date Read: 16 August 2015
Learn more about G.B. Gordon here.
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