Title: Tats of Honor
Author: Vona Logan
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: May 15, 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
Kegan Andrews wears his heart on his sleeve, or rather his skin—his tattoo is a testimony to those he’s loved and lost. The losses are piling up—like his young cousin’s suicide and his fiancée’s betrayal. He needs perspective, and the New Zealand trip he planned months ago seems to promise him that. Then Kegan meets Dominic, a man wrapped in so much grief and guilt it’s as if his own heart died two years ago with his long-time partner.
Dominic can’t move on—can’t even imagine it until Kegan jumpstarts his frozen heart. Dominic knows Kegan isn’t gay, so he fights his growing feelings, but Kegan embraces his new self-knowledge about whom he might love. Will Dominic stay mired in the safety of past heartbreak and become a distant memory etched into Kegan’s skin, or will he risk himself for the promise of a new beginning?
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: Fun setting of New Zealand kept my attention as much as the decent romance, even though one lead’s acceptance of the relationship happened too quickly and without the emotional punch I wanted.
The Set Up: Kegan wears his life on his arm as a tattoo and his life has been a struggle with his cousin’s suicide and his fiancé‘s cheating. He decides to leave England for a vacation in New Zealand where he meets Dominic, a man who’s grief Kegan can relate to. Dominic’s partner of fifteen years was killed in a car accident and Dominic doesn’t know if he can continue living. But Kegan awakens Dominic even as Kegan has to go back to England.
Why I Read this Book: I loved the cover and the exotic (to me) setting captured my attention as well.
What I Liked: I really liked Kegan. He’s had a rough life but he still has a lightness and purity to him. He’s been hurt by the suicide of his cousin and best friend, Justin and he’s not ashamed to admit to his pain. His fiancé’s betrayal hurts him as well but he looks at adversity as building his character and strengthening himself and I really loved this about his character. He never strikes out at others because of his pain and I respected this about his character greatly.
What I Also Liked: As suspected, I really liked the setting of New Zealand. I have an American-centric life so I love being able to learn about new places, like New Zealand. Kegan is a British tourist there so readers go along on his hikes and adventures in tourism. I loved this and could almost visualize some of New Zealand. Finally, as a language lover it was super fun to read the differences between British English and American English. (I’m such a nerd!)
What I Didn’t Like: I get that Dominic was depressed at the loss of his partner but he spent most of the novella pushing Kegan away only to capitulate quickly in the end. To make it worse, the author uses an eye-rolling incident to make Dominic reconcile his love for his first partner with his new love of Kegan. I felt cheated out of the emotional growth that Dominic needed to begin his new relationship with Kegan.
IMO: Good setting with one good lead but the second lead’s quick change of heart reduced my overall enjoyment of this novella.
J9’s Rating:
Interesting title and plot. My college roommate is now a physician in New Zealand and I got to visit her there. Did the story say if it took place on the north or south island?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea! It said Queestown, New Zealand but I don't know which direction that is. When I googled it it came up as south island so I'm thinking that's right. I love that they call themselves Kiwis like the bird. Such a great setting and made me long to visit.
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