Unshakeable Faith
Wow, what a sweet story. I enjoyed this immensely. But I have a hard time rating it. It’s one of those stories where after I finished I thought, “That was pretty good, 3.5 stars,” and then kept thinking about it all day, eventually deciding, “No, it was a 4.5,” because I couldn’t get it out of my head. Then two days later not even remembering what it had been about. Well, that may have something to do with the fact that I’d read three novels since then...Every character is interesting and individual to me, and all except the bad guy are likeable up to a point. There were lots of strong and relevant women, unlike so many other M/M romances. At one point, a tiny little woman ends a physical stand off and saves the day. Brody’s best friend is a great guy and it’s totally ridiculous that he’s known as being a total ass. I’d date him in a heartbeat, and I am not the kind of person who wants a bad boy.
Brody is an amazing guy, although his generosity at the beginning was bordering on ridiculous. At least he’s a huge man so it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that he would feel safe enough to invite Nash to stay. The first part, which is mostly just the building of the romance, was adorable and Nash’s slow realization he is gay, is a great way to play the coming out/virgin territory thing without making it be the old GFY/OFY crap I hate. Their love is beautiful and pure (although I can’t believe it would ever be enough for someone not to care about getting his memories back).
That’s why when Nash loses his memories again, it’s heart wrenching. Brody hangs on much longer than is at all realistic yet part of me believes that someone might put up with crap for too long: people do stupid, self-destructive things out of love all the time. Brody lasted just an itty-bit longer than I wanted him to, actually. I liked that Brody isn’t a doormat and that he doesn’t take evil Nash’s crap. Evil Nash is such a jerk and yet believable given the situation. There is one scene where my heart broke for Brody.
But there is a plot leading through the whole thing, and the threat of harm from the start. There is lots of danger and fear and peril and desperation, all the stuff I adore. I like that some of Nash’s personality traits carry over like how he blames Brody for making Nash fall for him. I appreciated that Brody is aware that his own lack of skills as a bodyguard are a problem and could be disastrous. Evil Nash’s reaction to a danger situation is adorable, too.
About the resolution to the story: I think Nash turns back into good Nash way too easily, quickly, and completely, and nothing is discussed about them both having lives four hours apart, but it’s sweet.
I decided on four stars because, although the situation was preposterous, the couple is just too adorable for words.