Actor Eddie Crane has been plagued with guilt and in mourning for almost a decade. Ever since the love of his life died in a car accident, while Eddie was driving, he's felt responsible for the death and exhibits a recklessness that could only be described as dangerous. But his manager and best friend always does the best she can to keep him on track. And she's hoping that some time out of the spotlight learning to ride horses for an upcoming role can help--at least for a little while.

Arthur Pike has mixed feelings about having to teach Eddie to ride. Eddie doesn't make a good first impression. But Pike can't deny that the actor has played a role in more than one of his fantasies over the years. And even though it might be easy just to dismiss Eddie as a piece of work, Pike can't deny that he comes with enough of his own baggage to fill a storage locker.

When it becomes clear the spark of attraction is mutual, they both need to make some decisions. Can Eddie find a way to open up to someone else, knowing that it could all be over in a flash? Can Pike put his own bruised heart aside and trust that love is possible? And can the two of them stay out of trouble long enough to not find themselves on the cover of every tabloid magazine?

These two guys... They've both been through so much, and I just had to feel for them. Now that's not to say there weren't moments when I wanted to reach through the pages and shake them. But the author approaches their hesitations, their reservations, and their choices in what I feel is a very organic, respectful, and realistic way. And despite some of the heavy baggage they both bring to the story, there are moments of humor to get you through. This isn't a tear-jerker, but it's a good reflection on love, loss, and trust--not only for another person but also for yourself. ( )

With two men who are equally confused, messed up, and at a loss as to what to do with their lives, this story is bound to be depressing before it gets better. Eddie makes one bad choice after another to try to ignore/overcome/not have to deal with the fact that his submissive lover died in a car crash ten years ago – a crash where Eddie was at the wheel. Pike comes out of an awful, abusive childhood and a bad family situation only to fall hopelessly in love with his cousin’s husband. Neither man can move on, and I spent about the first third of the book tearing my hair out and almost losing the will to live. The utter hopelessness of both men ever finding happiness, never mind with each other, was really getting to me.

But then something wonderful begins to happen, and I perked up a little. Pike is drawn to Eddie and his dominant nature, which reduces Pike’s obsession with the unattainable husband. Edie discovers Pike’s submissive nature, and begins to crawl out of his shell. As unlikeable as I found Eddie in the beginning, he (eventually) redeems himself as more about his background is revealed. Pike is totally messed up, and needs a lot of patience. But I cared about both of them, and their emotional growth as they heal each other, though slow, is amazing. The resulting relationship is complicated, but clearly worth all the trouble.

The idea of an actor and his stunt double bonding in this way is interesting and unusual. The BDSM element added not just spice, but an extra level of complexity and intensity. They underpin what happens between Eddie and Pike on an emotional level with a physically visible aspect, and that supported the credibility of the psychological growth and development or me.

If you like complex (not to say complicated) characters, if a journey through hell and some challenging conflict is what you like to see in your romances, and if you’re looking for a read that is intense, emotionally draining, but ultimately uplifting and hopeful, then you will probably enjoy this novel.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )