⭐⭐⭐⭐★
First off: trigger warning – this book has rape driven by
homophobic hate as its central theme. Having said that, this book is extremely
well written and gently handled.
Aiden Carlisle is a workaholic detective with the Portland
Police Bureau in the sex crimes department. Dawn Kinsley, a psychologist works
with victims of sex crimes. Their paths first cross during a seminar held of
the police in which Dawn is one of the speakers. There is an interest on both
sides, but it’s not followed on right then. They run into each other buying
groceries and Dawn invites Aiden home for coffee. An acquaintanceship is thus
struck. The next thing that Aiden knows is that a crime is reported at Dawn’s
address. A concerned Aiden reaches there pronto though she is off duty only to
find that Dawn has been raped. Aiden becomes the primary detective on the case
but as they keep meeting each other, the attraction is harder and harder to
ignore – which is against protocol.
Usually we aren’t great fans of the butch-femme trope, but
this one is wonderfully written. The relationship is developed beautifully.
Dawn’s struggles post-rape are realistically, but gently, handled. Jae has a
special gift of writing rich relationships in which one partner supports the
other through their inability to have sexual intimacy. The emotional connect
between the MCs in such instances is so beautifully handled that the lack of
sex becomes a side issue.
This is a great read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐★
