I read my first book by Amy Aislin just over three years ago and she quickly became one of my favorite authors. Her stories never fail to move me in so many ways. Her writing is richly descriptive and always paints a vivid picture in my mind as I read.

The blurb tells you the basics of the story but it can’t really convey how deeply moving this book is. It’s a slow burn story with minimal sexy time but I love those kinds of books from time-to-time. Jeff was very close to his father and he still misses him so much. The car they restored together really means something to him. When it’s damaged by what he perceives as Mika’s careless driving he is enraged. But he has no way of knowing what Mika’s got on his plate at the time.

Mika’s spent the last year recovering from cancer, taking a break from the popular TV show he stars in. He’s helping out with Christmas activities in Lighthouse Bay to give him something to keep busy. He can’t understand why Jeff is still so upset about what happened a year ago. Mika apologized over and over and offered to pay for repairs to Jeff’s car. He doesn’t know why the car is so important to Jeff.

I just can’t say enough good things about this book. I read it from start to finish in one sitting and was captivated right from the first page. After Jeff and Mika call a truce and begin to work together, they become more and more attracted to each other. I loved the way that Jeff used inflatable lawn decorations to woo Mika (even if it did take Mika a while to figure it out).

Another thing I really liked is that there wasn’t any angst about being gay; it was just accepted as normal by the town’s people. I know that may not be the case in everyday life but sometimes it’s really nice to read a gay romance where the characters being gay isn’t the main focus of the story.

My review isn’t doing this book justice; it a wonderful story and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Reviews for Amy Aislin

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Standing, he held a hand out to the man who was so much his type it was almost laughable. Three or four inches taller than Mika’s own five-ten height, dark brown hair that shone red under the warehouse’s lights, like the deepest shade of mahogany, with charcoal-gray at the temples and above his ears, and lines that fanned out from narrow eyes a dark shade of blue. A high forehead in a heart-shaped face and the physique of a footballer completed the package.

All of that wouldn’t have been a big deal on its own, but the way he held himself with the cool confidence of someone who knew his place in the world?

Yowza. Talk about Mika’s type wrapped in a black wool coat and a stubbled jaw more gray than brown. He’d have been giving Jeff his number if the guy wasn’t scowling at him.

Wait, that scowl . . .

Jeff stared at his outstretched hand. “No.”

“Uh.” Rearing back, Mika dropped his arm back to his side. “Excuse me?”

Zach crept up behind him, gaze swinging from Mika to Jeff. “What’s wrong?”

Jeff waved a hand at Mika. “This is the guy you want me to work with?” He put special emphasis on this, as though Mika were a criminal who’d steal his wallet when he wasn’t looking. Straightening his spine, Mika planted his hands on his hips.

Zach blinked once. “Yes?”

Holland Stone—Zach’s boyfriend and Mika’s ex—approached from where he’d been working on his float for the parade, clad in a dusty T-shirt and even dustier jeans. He squinted at Jeff before turning to Zach and Mika. “You two okay?” He held a hammer in one hand like he meant to wield it. Not that he ever would, but the image would’ve made Mika chuckle had he not been so confused.

And frankly? Kind of hurt. What the hell had he ever done to this guy?

“I can’t work with him.” There was no give in Jeff’s tone.

“Why not?” Zach stepped in close to Mika, butting in against his left side. “Mika’s the best.”

Aw. The ire in Mika’s chest faded a little at Zach’s words. It was nice of him to say, especially since Mika had made the worst of first impressions on him last Christmas.

The amount of disgust in Jeff’s scoff would’ve been impressive had it not been directed at Mika. “I’m not working with the guy who totaled my dad’s car.”

Mika’s head jerked back. “What?”

Zach and Holland swung their gazes his way.

“I didn’t!” Taking a step back, he raised both hands. “I’ve never totaled anybody’s car in my life.”

“Oh no?” Jeff argued, raising both eyebrows, and god, the sarcasm. “Not even a turquoise 1956 Chevy Nomad near the Bluffs in Pacific Palisades? About this time last year? Ring any bells?”

That was where Mika knew this guy from! Jesus, he was still holding a grudge? “Okay, first of all, I apologized, like, seven times. Second, I gave you my number. It’s not my problem that you didn’t call. Like I said—I would’ve paid to get it fixed. And third.” Leaning over the desk, he narrowed his eyes on a squinty-eyed Jeff Bellmoor. “ Totaled ?”

Jeff winced. “Fine. That’s maybe the wrong word.” Uttered so begrudgingly, it was a miracle he managed to say the words at all. “But like I said—it’s not about the damage.”

A huff of exasperation escaped Mika and he threw his hands up. “I don’t know what that means.” He hadn’t known then either.

“Never mind.” Rubbing his forehead, Jeff turned away. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Lighthouse Bay Series

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