Title: Two Man Station
Series: Emergency Services: Book One
Author: Lisa Henry
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Length: 273 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: From the start, this story just gripped me, and I couldn’t put it down.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Gio Valeri is a big city police officer who’s been transferred to the small outback town of Richmond with his professional reputation in tatters. His transfer is a punishment, and Gio just wants to keep his head down and survive the next two years. No more mistakes. No more complications.
Except Gio isn’t counting on Jason Quinn.
Jason Quinn, officer in charge of Richmond Station, is a single dad struggling with balancing the demands of shift work with the challenges of raising his son. The last thing he needs is a new senior constable with a history of destroying other people’s careers. But like it or not, Jason has to work with Gio.
In a remote two man station hours away from the next town, Gio and Jason have to learn to trust and rely on each another. Close quarters and a growing attraction mean that the lines between professional and personal are blurring. And even in Richmond, being a copper can be dangerous enough without risking their hearts as well.
Review: Giovanni “Gio” Valeri has been transferred to the red dirt town of Richmond. He’s a copper who made a claim against a former copper/lover, so now Gio has the reputation of being a rat and dog, and he’s still being harassed by his former fellow officers. The transfer and adjustment for Gio is difficult, but he made the choice to protect his family.
Jason Quinn is the Sergeant in the two-man station, who is still grieving and dealing with a tragedy. The light of his life now is Troy, his inquisitive and loving ten-year-old son. He believes he can handle raising Troy, but working in a two-man environment puts a strain on the decisions he has to face before something serious happens. He got comfortable with his former neighbors, who could always lend a hand caring for Troy, but things have changed, also putting a lot of stress on others.
When Gio comes on board, Jason only knows one side of his story. They have a rough start trusting each other, and Gio has a hard time dealing with the small-town issues. But when cases of domestic violence begin to rise, Jason observes some interesting things about Gio. As trust and a fragile and cautious relationship gradually forms, Jason learns more about Gio’s situation. He feels it’s his responsibility to report a particular incident, but Gio is livid and feels betrayed by Jason.
The most important message this story brings about is through domestic violence. It comes in different forms, can affect anyone, and the repercussions of bringing it to the forefront are not always positive. The plot also has a sense of mystery as Gio’s past is gradually revealed. There is no insta-love between Gio and Jason, as both men have their own issues to work on. I liked the subtle sort of way that Gio watches out for Troy, and how a friendship starts to grow. There isn’t exactly an HEA, Jason and Gio still have issues to figure out, but they have a nice companionship, and that’s a plus for Troy.
Lisa Henry absolutely mesmerized me with the Aussie setting of Richmond, Queensland, and Australia as a whole. The descriptions of the Aussie people, environment, and the language brought this story to life. From the start, this story just gripped me, and I couldn’t put it down. It’s very well written, emotional and has solid character portrayals.
You can buy Two Man Station here:
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