Title: Inches of Trust
Author: A.R. Moler
Publisher: JMS Books
Length: 193 Pages
Category: Contemporary, Anthology
At a Glance: This is a lovely slow-building love story between two very different men who learn to trust each other despite past experiences.
Reviewed By: Sadonna
Blurb: 2nd Edition
When architect Brian Townsend meets a man dressed as Zorro at a Halloween party, it seems like a chance hookup. There’s no denying Brian’s immediate attraction, but it takes more effort than he thought it would just to find out the man’s name.
NYPD homicide detective Tristan Blake comes from old money, which he loathes. An idealistic streak burns within him to do a job that serves a purpose. A former lover scorned him at a time he was most vulnerable, after the death of friend, and now Tristan is slow to trust what appears to a developing relationship between him and Brian.
Beer tasting, a broken window, a fall down a flight of stairs, a grenade, and a violent attack … what do these all have in common? Each one brings Tristan an inch closer to trusting Brian with his heart.
Contains the stories: Crimson Regret, A Taste of Darkness, A Glimpse Inside, Windows and Walls, Head Over Heels, Police Navidad, Auld Acquaintance, Tabled Discussions, Pulling the Pin, and Vulnerability.
Review: Tristan and Brian meet at a Halloween party given by Brian’s coworker. Tristan is a friend of the coworker’s husband, and after a pretty intense encounter, Tristan leaves the party and Brian hasn’t even gotten his name. But he really wants to see him again, so he asks the coworker to find out, and Brian pursues him.
Brian and Tristan’s story is told over the course of these ten short stories. As time progresses, they forge a real relationship. While Brian is pretty much an open book, Tristan has a very hard time sharing any information about himself—from his professional life as a detective to his completely unsupportive family to his asshat of an ex. Each story serves to move forward the action in their lives, individually in their jobs as well as together as a potential couple. Sometimes it’s one step forward, one step back.
Brian exhibits a lot of patience and understanding for what Tristan has been through. He also brings a lot of humor and fun to Tristan’s life, whether it’s through some of the dates they go on, or his relentless bad puns, Tristan begins to realize his life would be a lot less enjoyable without Brian. Brian hasn’t had the easiest of roads either, but he’s really happy with Tristan and wants to do what he can to support him.
I’ve been a fan of A.R. Moler’s work for years, and this is another series that confirms my enjoyment of her stories. She is so good with each story—a nice, contained vignette of Brian and Tristan’s budding relationship. As the stories progress, we get to really know Brian and especially Tristan, and see what makes them tick and why they are so good for each other. This is a lovely slow-building love story between two very different men who learn to trust each other despite past experiences. Recommended especially for fans of more mature characters who take the time to build something real.
You can buy Inches of Trust here:
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