Title: Unshakeable Faith
Author: Lisa Worrall
Genre: Romantic Suspense, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: November 2011 by Dreamspinner Press
Of all the bars in all the towns in all the world, the stranger walks into Brody Tyler’s. With no memory and a name he chose from a newspaper, Nash is a gamble—one Brody is willing to take. It isn’t long before Brody and Nash fall in love, but then a tragic accident shatters their cozy world, resetting Nash’s memory once again.
The “new” Nash Walker is a businessman with a bottom line, and he doesn’t care what or who gets stomped on. Waking up in a hospital bed after a hit-and-run with no idea where he’s been for the past six months is bad enough, but someone trying to kill him is even worse. Enter Brody Tyler, accidental bodyguard.
Brody’s determined to help Nash remember and bring back the man he loves. Nash thinks Brody’s a drop-dead gorgeous pain in the ass. If only he could remember…
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: Good premise with one white-knight lead I liked but the other lead’s amnesia-recovery turned him into an asshole who I disliked greatly.
The Set Up: Brody is tending his bar one day when Nash walks in with no memory of who he is. Against his friends’ advice, Brody invites Nash to live with him and work at the bar. Nash and Brody fall in love and build a life together, until Nash’s memories return. The new Nash is a cut-throat businessman who doesn’t remember Brody or their relationship. Brody’s only chance at staying close to Nash is to pretend to be Nash’s bodyguard. Will Nash regain his memories of his love for Brody before his enemy kills him?
Why I Read this Book: The amnesia storyline is an oldie but goodie.
What I Liked: The first hundred pages of this novel are great. Brody and Nash are likable characters building a life together. Life isn’t fancy or exotic; instead it’s filled with friends, picnics and raising their new puppy. The men’s emotional connection is intense as they share their hopes, insecurities and plans for their joint future. I loved the contentment and love these two showed in their life together, for instance Nash planning a surprise birthday party for Brody. Their sexual intimacy matches their developing relationship and Brody’s care for Nash is tangible. Brody doesn’t force Nash into sexual intimacy and is so cautious not to take advantage of him that I feel a little in love with the gentle giant too. Brody shares his life and friends with Nash and this made Nash’s betrayal so painful!
What I Didn’t Like: As much as I liked the first half of this novel, I *detested* the second half. First, I’ll acknowledge the soap opera-ish plot where Nash regains his pre-Brody memories only to lose his Brody-memories, thus forcing his character transplant from nice, loving guy to total asshat. It seemed like Nash made a point to hurt everyone around him with his selfish, cruel words and actions. This reached its zenith when he takes Brody out clubbing to get his jollies on with random men while Brody is languishing outside the room. Brody’s pain became my pain at this point. Worse, when Nash continues this behavior it forces Brody into the role of a doormat just letting this guy walk over him emotionally. Maybe I would have less of a bitter aftertaste if Nash groveled over time and showed his commitment to Brody but his apology and Brody’s acceptance happens in mere pages. I wanted Brody to find someone trustworthy instead of the poisonous Nash.
IMO: This book should have ended as a novella and left the asshole Nash’s memories permanently lost.
J9’s Rating:
Oh no, good first half and bad second half, not good!
ReplyDeleteoooh, seriously?? I have this in print on my TBR pile. I'm not going to read the review because I don't want to ruin it if I ever do decide to read it, but this rating makes me sad since I know that we usually agree on our reading...
ReplyDeleteSorry but had to be honest about this book. Such a great first half!
ReplyDelete