Title: The Heart as He Hears It (Perspectives #3)
Author: A.M. Arthur
Publisher: Samhain
Release Date: April 19, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Page Count: 253
Reviewed by: Kristin
Heat Level: 2 flames out of 5
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Love can slip through the smallest crack in the door.
While most of his friends have moved on to “real” careers, Jon Buchanan is content skating through life as a part-time waiter and gay porn star. Firmly single thanks to a previous relationship disaster, he focuses his spare time on Henry, a dear friend dying of cancer.
And with Henry’s happiness paramount, Jon is on a mission to help Henry meet his recently discovered grandson.
Isaac Gregory hasn’t set foot outside for the past year. He has everything he needs delivered, and his remaining family knows better than to visit. When a complete stranger shows up claiming to be his grandfather—with a distractingly handsome younger man in tow—his carefully structured routines are shaken.
Despite his instant attraction, Jon senses Isaac is too fragile for a relationship. Yet tentative friendship grows into genuine companionship. And when Henry’s health begins to fail, they realize Fate brought them together for a reason.
Warning: Product contains a neurotic porn star with body image issues, a virgin hero with severe agoraphobia, and a fluffy ball of gray cuteness you’ll want to take home and cuddle. Also contains references to past abuse some readers might find disturbing.
My note – I have not read the previous two books. There might have been more background info on the characters, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything so this can be read as a stand alone.
Multiple thoughts on this selection which I’ll break down sans spoilers:
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1 – Jon and Henry’s relationship as Henry navigates the debilitating cancer treatments is so incredibly touching. As Henry was there for Jon when Jon found himself penniless and homeless, so Jon is there for Henry during all the chemo and after care. It’s Jon who breaks the ice between Issac and Henry, allowing Henry to get to know his grandson, despite Issac’s fear of the outside world and strangers. I think this dynamic was actually my favorite part of the book, I actually got teary-eyed!
2 – How the author incorporated anorexia through Jon was well done. It is so true that it’s seen as a “girl’s” disease, and by the numbers yes, but eating disorders are growing exponentially in young boys so this was a great message to get out there. Well done!
3 – The added drama with Jon’s stalker was also well written. Nicely done twist toward the end of the book.
4 – I will admit, I was a somewhat uncomfortable with the PTSD aspect of this book. I really wanted to be able to cheer Jon on as he connected with Issac. But, given the severity of Issac’s fear and PTSD, would a non-therapist really be able to work through that much trauma in that short of time? Then add in the scenario with the stalker, I couldn’t shake my doubts, so this dynamic left me a bit uneasy.
5 – Rescue kitten. Highly unlikely that rescue kitty would be so healthy as not to have ear mites and worms. Reality aside, loved the addition of Bear the kitten!
There were a couple loose ends left fluttering in the wind, which may or may not be resolved in additional installments. These didn’t detract from the book in any way, and would be enough to get me to read the next in the series if there is one.
Perspectives Series
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