Review: Debt by K.C. Wells

Note: This ARC was provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Mitch expelled a heavy sigh. "I'm just so confused. I didn't expect this to happen. I mean, who falls in love with a prostitute?"

Whenever I "discover" an already established author, I feel a tad embarrassed that it's taken me this long to pick up a book they've written and that I finally get why many others laud the author's work. But amidst the embarrassment, there's that thrill over not just finding a great read, but also at having a potential new addition to my list of authors to keep an eye on. Of course, there are never any guarantees that every single book an author writes is going to be fantastic, but all it takes is that initial book to open the door and that's exactly what happened with Debt, an M/M romance by K.C. Wells. This novel was nothing like I expected it to be, and I mean that in the best way possible. When expectations are not just met but surpassed, it's always a good day for a bookaholic like me, and yes, K.C. Wells is now on my author radar.

Debt is the story of forty-five-year-old high school English teacher Mitch Jenkins and twenty-two-year-old prostitute Nikko Kurokawa. Don't mistake this book as a gay version of the movie Pretty Woman. Mitch is far from wealthy and Nikko isn't a streetwalker who has no qualms doing what she does to turn a buck. When they meet in the Black Lounge, a very private brothel that caters to clients who are more than willing to pay the hefty membership fee in order to do whatever they want with those they choose to service them, it's Nikko's quiet nature that calls to Mitch. From their first encounter--Nikko's first with a a client and Mitch's first with a prostitute--they become ensnared by each other's attention and affection. But secrecy is key in the Black Lounge and Mitch has questions, questions Nikko fears will cost them both.

K.C. Wells could have chosen to take the far more graphic route, describing the debasing Nikko encountered at the Black Lounge. Instead, she decided to limit the abuse off-page, giving the reader an idea of what Nikko went through based on how he was dealing with it afterward. The author has shown that subtlety, when done right, can be far more effective in inspiring a reaction out of her readers. There is genuine care and concern that goes on between Mitch and Nikko and Mitch's family is warm and accepting of both Nikko and his situation. You don't get the usual homophobic family member or self-righteous friend here. Neither do you get the typical alpha male and docile main characters. No, Debt is nothing like the norm because it's a cut above the rest and it's a novel I'm highly recommending to you. Five-plus stars. ♥

Date Read: 29 May 2016

Learn more about K.C. Wells.

Purchase Debt on Amazon | B&N | Kobo.