In Which Falling In Love Is "A Package Deal"

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ― Lao Tzu

BLURB: Robby Dalton is the perfect all-American boy. He played the sports his father chose for him in high school, attended the college his father selected, and has worked hard to conform to his father’s macho views. But emotionally he doesn’t fit anywhere, and he can’t connect with a woman beyond a few uninspired dates. Robby’s not in the closet, because he’s never guessed he’s gay. Now he owns a small commercial construction company, and one night after work he runs into Savannah Meyers. He finds her fascinating and agrees to a date, thinking maybe this woman would be different.

But Savannah has her own agenda. She is looking for a love match for her roommate, Tristan Chartrand, whom she rescued from the streets years ago. He’s like a brother, and her only family, so she wants him safe and happy. Her plan seems to begin well, because when Robby meets Tristan, he’s surprised to find it’s Tristan he wants, not Savannah. But some people in Robby’s life don’t approve of Tristan’s lowly station in life, and some don’t approve of Robby being gay. Some people are full of hate and violence, and Robby and Tristan will need courage and strength if a loving future is to be part of the deal.

REVIEW: I have to say, this book surprised me over and over again. From the blurb, I expected this to be a straight forward M/M book with a “gay-for-you” theme. Boy, was I off the mark. Basically, this story starts out with Robby meeting his “dream girl”, Savannah Meyers. She is the first woman in a long time that inspired any kind of reaction from Robby. When they went on their first date, Robby was slightly confused by the arrival of Savannah’s roommate, Tristan Chartrand. The most confusing part was the clear affection he saw between Savannah and Tristan. There was love in their eyes and a not so platonic kiss shared between the two. The most confusing thing for Robby was his own attraction to Tristan. He had never had this reaction to any man before, and he didn’t understand it.

Savannah and Tristan share a very tormented past. Tristan experienced abuse from the time he was very young, and even after. Leaving home to escape it, he ran right into more abuse. The only light in his life was Savannah. When he met her on the streets after she escaped her own version of hell, they bonded. Savannah has fallen in love, and Tristan loves her just the same. The only drawback is their love is platonic, and they each deserve to find real love. Savannah sets out to find the right person for Tristan and uses a little subterfuge to do it.

Once Robby sorts through all his confusion, he is shocked to find that he wants Tristan on a romantic and physical level, and only feels a brotherly type of love for Savannah. For the first time in his life Tristan is feeling some romantic feelings himself, and that scares the ever-loving hell out of him. Love has only been given freely to Tristan by one person in his life, and he fears he will lose Savannah’s love if he falls in love with Robby.

These three individuals find a way to make everything work for them, and all three of them are happier than they have ever been. So of course, it’s a HEA right? Ummmm no. Robby has a best friend who is not dealing well with being left behind, and a father who has clear expectations from his only son. When the best friend makes his dislike clear physically, and his father lays down an ultimatum, Robby has to decide what is most important to him.

This book explored the journey of healing for all three of these characters. They each had their own individual problems, but together they were all just trying to find happiness. This book is not a steamy, sexy romp, it isn’t a quick and easy ride to a HEA, but it is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it. Mia Kerick has taken an idea that is just weird, and turned it into a gripping ride that I didn’t want to end.

You can buy A Package Deal here: