Release Day Review ~ Tainted Life by Mel Gough
Title: Tainted Life
Genre: Contemporary M/M romance
Tags: familial abuse, bisexual, hurt/comfort, law enforcement
Publication date: July 16, 2018
Length: 33,000 words, 130 pages
Publisher: Self-pubbed
Purchase link: The novella is free when people sign up for my newsletter https://melgough.com/newsletter
Blurb:
Metropolitan Police detective Pete Tucker’s world comes crashing down when his wife sues for divorce and sole custody of their only son.
Desperate to forget his sorrows for a while, Pete seeks refuge in a Soho bar where he is approached by a sexy, funny, and clearly interested stranger. Photographer Liam Jackson is just the ticket for one oblivious night of perfect passion.
However, their attraction proves too intense for a one-night-stand. To his surprise, Pete finds that he’s game for something more – but his baggage soon gets in the way. Then Liam’s own dangerous secrets claw their way to the surface, and threaten to derail the budding romance.
Is their growing bond strong enough to weather the violent storms ahead?
4 stars
While this was an angsty book and unusual in its portrayal of the romance, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is not about two MCs meeting and getting to know each other through dates or chance encounters. It is about meeting someone, feeling a small connection to them and then being there for them when they needed it most. This book is emotional but truly solid in the storytelling. Both MCs put themselves out there and were vulnerable in different ways.
It is a short story, but it did not feel rushed at all or that too many things were crammed into the story. We see both characters at low points but it was not completely burdened down with negativity.
The book wrapped up quickly but I was okay with it. Once I saw I was at 95% or so, I was wondering how in the heck we were going to get a conclusion based on what was happening at the time. However, the epilogue, while short, worked for me. It was a HFN rather than a HEA but I sort of saw promises for the future and was okay and happy with how it ended.
The story definitely has angst in it but overall it was really good and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
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