It’s typical of video game programmer Josiah Simmons to be the last one on the plane on the way to the biggest meeting of his career. Though he’s (mostly) coping with his ADHD, he can’t handle another distraction. But he also can’t ignore his rugged seatmate — especially once he learns the military man’s a fan of his game.
Ryan Orson refuses to let his severe injuries pause his career as a navy SEAL. He’s got hours of grueling physical therapy ahead of him, and no time for anything that might get in the way of his return to active duty. But that doesn’t mean he’s above a little first-class flirtation with geeky-cute Josiah.
When a delay strands the pair in St. Louis, they agree to share a hotel room and a night of gaming. Neither expects their new connection to move to the next level in the light of day. Opposites may attract, but is this game over before it’s even begun?
Book Three of the #gaymers series
This book was a treat. I wasn’t expecting the depth that I got, and I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did.
This book is told in the third person, with dual POV, but the “problem” is that the POVs are not clearly indicated. This wasn’t a huge drawback or anything, but sometimes, especially when the characters were together, it was hard to tell which POV it was from the start. With that said, I did enjoy the writing.
Both characters were like nothing I read before, and I absolutely loved that. Josiah was a young guy, struggling with his ADHD. This was completely unique, because having a little experience with people with this disorder, it was great to read about his challenges, and the difficulties he found in such simple tasks as paying the bills, or even remembering to eat. He’s growth was tremendous, because he has to go from “one of the guys” to a real project manager, and while it took him a while to get a hang of it, he does get there.
Ryan was a real surprise… I wasn’t quite expecting him. It’s the first book I’ve ever read with his kind of injuries, and I not only loved that, but also how the book dealt with the psychological effects of it. He also has an amazing growth during this book, going from someone who loses his whole identity and needs to be needed, to someone who learns more about himself and what he can still be and do with his life.
The relationship between Josiah and Ryan was great, and I particularly liked how Jos always looked at Ryan – you’ll get what I mean. They were really there for each other, and even though their attraction is there from the start, their feelings develop through time, even with them living always far apart. They truly become each other’s best friends before becoming boyfriends, and that’s the goal, a relationship based on friendship.
This book is very character driven, and even the conflicts and plot points have to do with the growth that both characters need to do. And I liked this.
All in all, this was a great book, and I loved this couple, though I honestly couldn’t identify with either of them… and maybe that’s why I only gave this story 4 stars. I do recommend it big time, and it now made me curious to read the rest of this series.
Have you read this book? Would you be interested in it? Have you read any book in which a character had war injuries?
My Tiny Obsessions 