Soul to Keep by Garrett Leigh
Review by Lauren
source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Recovering addict Jamie Yorke has returned to England from California. With no home or family to speak of, he sticks a pin in a map and finds a small town in the Derbyshire Peak District. Matlock Bath is a quiet place—he just needs to get there, keep his head down, and stay clean. Simple, right? Until a chance meeting on the flight home alters the course of his so-called life forever.
Ex-Army medic Marc Ramsey is recovering from life-changing combat injuries while pulling nights as a trauma specialist at the local hospital. Keeping busy is a habit he can’t quit, but when Jamie—so wild and beautiful—bursts into his life, working himself into the ground isn’t as compelling as it used to be.
Marc falls hard, but chaos lurks behind Jamie’s fragile facade. He’s winning his battle against addiction, but another old foe is slowly consuming him. Both men have weathered many storms, but the path to the peace they deserve might prove the roughest ride yet.
Review: This is the second book in the Rented Heart series, but I haven't read the first. However, the first does feature Jamie, so if you're interested in his full story, I'd recommend reading them in order. Otherwise, Soul to Keep works fine as a stand-alone novel. Both guys in this book have dealt with a lot in their past. Marc will always be haunted by his time in the army, and he sees a lot of tragedy in his current job working in a hospital. As for Jamie, he's not sure where his life is leading him, only that needs to stay sober in order to have a good future. I thought the two guys worked really well together. While it seems like Marc helps Jamie more than the other way around, I do think they are both good for each other in different ways. I do wish the book was a bit longer as it would have been nice to see more of Marc and Jamie's relationship once things are a bit more on an even level. Most of Soul to Keep is them working through their own individual problems while eventually trying to make a go of a relationship. At any rate, I did really like this one and I'd read more from the author!!
5 comments:
Yikes, sounds like Marc deals with a lot of heavy stuff, poor guy. It's great when the characters truly work well together in a relationship! That's too bad you didn't get to see more of it, but it sounds like the book was still good :-)
It's always great to read a book in a series that works as a standalone as well. Too bad it's shorter than you'd hoped, though.
Lovely review!
I like that the author lets them work through their stuff before getting them together -- however for someone reading the book, I understand wanting more. It's just nice to hear about a story without insta-love :)
This one sounds like it could be an emotional read, and full of drama. Glad you enjoyed it!
Yay for liking this one! I think it's a good talent if an author can make you enjoy a book even if there was one before ti that introduced you to the characters previously. I once read a companion novel and had no idea until a few chapters in. But I ended up adoring it.
I know what you mean about wanting to see more of a relationship. Sometimes it feels like a book is all the build up and no happily ever after. And I like build up! But I also want to see the cuter, happier moments, as well.
if you do try anything else by this author, I hope you like it, Lauren!
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