Review: The Wisdom Within by Gwen Martin 5 of 5 stars

The Wisdom Within by Gwen Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At five years sober, Nik Ward is the picture-perfect recovering addict. With a carefully curated schedule that includes a job, volunteer hours, and hobbies, his routine shields him from the claws of addiction. All good, steady, healthy and boring. Until he meets Micah. Micah just wants everything to go back to the way it was before his twin sister became an addict. He’d give anything to free her from the depths of her addiction, but if she doesn’t try to get sober by their mother’s vow renewals, he’ll have to cut her out of his life for good no matter how much it hurts. Micah needs a distraction, and instead of dwelling on his ultimatum, he finds the perfect distraction in Nik. When the two men meeting turns into a series of hot and heavy hookups, both of their plans go out the window. Unless Nik can find the wisdom within to live off-balance and Micah can learn meet his loved ones where they’re at, their budding romance may thrust them both into the depths of the world they’re desperately trying to escape.

I loved this story with the two men who actually need each other for far more than the great sex between them. I was pleased that Nik and his contacts were able to help Micah's twin sister but it also helped the rest of the family too. This story was full of passion and anguish as problems surfaced and were handled in the best way that they could be. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please read the trigger warnings **

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Review: The Weight Within by Gwen Martin 4 of 5 stars

The Weight Within by Gwen Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tristan Edwards is clean-cut, determined, and organized on the outside, but on the inside, he’s falling apart. After years of nonstop travel for work, he’s assigned to open a new branch that could keep him close to home with more job security. But when he learns this coveted position is also up for grabs by another eligible candidate and if Tristan can’t prove his executive position, his dream job may fall into the hands of his dream man. Kurt Holden is newly divorced, without a home, and in need of a change. When a new position springs up, Kurt jumps at the chance to start over in a new city as a new person. What he isn’t interested in is falling into another relationship, but the more time he spends with Tristan, it becomes impossible to ignore his attraction. As both men face the decision to choose professional gain or personal desire, Tristan and Kurt must learn to accept that carrying the weight within doesn’t have to be done alone. The only question is if they’re willing to take the risk or stay alone.

I enjoyed this story with the rivalry, the eventual realisation that the other person's ideas and methods were worthwhile and finally the undeniable sexual attraction between them both. I found the writing clear and easy to understand and on the whole easy to feel and empathise with. I did, however, find in some sections that the rivalry and differences between them were a little overdone. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: The Wild Within by Gwen Martin 4 of 5 stars

The Wild Within by Gwen Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Duncan Maxwell spends his days working or helping others so when his best friend needs him to drive his younger brother around he doesn't hesitate to say yes. Many of Chance's appointments are at The Collective where he volunteers plus it doesn't hurt that he is charming, funny and attractive. Chance's world has spiralled into a blur of adjusted medications, support groups and therapy after his recent bipolar diagnosis but he considers himself lucky as most people don't have the kind of support his brother has given him. So he focuses on not being a burden and searching for a life beyond his diagnosis and maybe a life with Duncan. When Chance struggles to tame the wildness within himself he watches Duncan push himself silently past the brink of exhaustion. In his desperate attempts to help find balance, has Chance caused Duncan to destroy his own?

This was a heartwarming story of two men who were perfect for each other and yet had their battles to overcome - Chance had a mental illness and Duncan had grief and loss of his brother. I loved the way that they were attracted to each other and that it was not caused by sympathy or empathy for their problems. This was beautifully written and quite emotional but you will end up with smiles when it ends. Easy to read, feel and understand. This is an MM story with mature content.

** Please read the trigger warnings!

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