ARC Review: Close to Home (Sawyer's Ferry Novel) by Cate Ashwood

Blurb:

Witt:

I excelled at two things: systems engineering and going completely unnoticed.

The engineering took work and determination. The invisibility came naturally. Until one day, the wrong person noticed me. Battered and broken, I fled, escaping to Sawyer’s Ferry and the only friends I’d ever had. Now, I just needed to figure out what I was going to do next.

Mason:

Life was good. I had a great job, good friends, and a family who loved me. Even my roommate was decent. At least he was until he let his nudist brother come to visit. The opportunity to house-sit and help an injured friend couldn’t have come at a better time.

All I’d needed was to avoid an awkward situation for a few days, but I got more than I bargained for when my entire uncomplicated life flipped upside down. The last thing I’d been looking for was love, but it wasn’t until Witt that I realized just how much I’d been missing out on.

Dani's rating:

This is yet another win for the Sawyer's Ferry series! We've met Witt and Mason in previous books, but Close to Home can be read as a standalone.

Witt is hurt at the beginning of the story, and that scene of violence is briefly described on page. Witt also has mild PTSD stemming from the attack. This is realistic and handled with sensitivity, but be aware that this may be a trigger for some readers.



While the story deals with pain, the focus is on healing and comfort. Mason is amazing at taking care of Witt. He builds Witt up, physically and emotionally, by teaching Witt self-defense and supporting him in every way. Initially, that means Mason is there to wrap Witt's cast or cook him meals, but their friendship turns to much more.

The slow burn is absolutely delicious. Witt is a virgin, and his first time is perfectly sensual and sweet. The steam level is moderate, but that fit with the pacing of the story.

The chemistry between the MCs is palpable, and the epilogue left no doubt that these two are the real deal.

If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.

~J.K. Rowling

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Download links are provided as a courtesy and do not constitute an endorsement of or affiliation with the book, author, publisher, or website listed.