Title: River Home
Series: Accidental Roots: Book Five
Author: Elle Keaton
Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited
Length: 245 Pages
Category: Contemporary, Suspense/Thriller
At a Glance: River Home is well written and had a good pace, and there’s definite tension with the on-going human trafficking case that brings action and danger to the storyline.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: If you don’t know what you want, would you recognize it if you found it?
Miguel Ramirez is the definition of a pocho: a half-breed, whitewashed Mexican–American who doesn’t speak Spanish. He’s also unapologetically bisexual. Three years ago he arrived in Skagit a broken man, having barely managed to escape an abusive relationship. Slowly, he’s rebuilt his life. He’s tried hard to discard his deepest desires and be happy with what life has doled out. Family feels out of his grasp; no one really wants to keep a stray, after all. Except, maybe, a red-haired stranger with a galaxy of freckles who seems to encompass everything Miguel’s learned to avoid.
Nate Richardson is a focused, solid, reliable, career-minded Federal Agent with no time for relationships outside of work. Then he runs into Miguel with his sparkling green eyes, rakish smile, and outrageous sense of humor. Nate starts thinking about Miguel as more than just another guy. Nate was sure he didn’t care about sex and didn’t believe in love… until he met Miguel Ramirez.
Things quickly heat up between Nate and Miguel. Crime in Skagit is heating up as well. Nate is sidelined when the case he is working on reaches a frustrating standstill. In the meantime, unnerving incidents transpire, some literally on Nate’s doorstep. Will outside forces—or their own baggage—keep Miguel and Nate apart? What exactly is family, and can Miguel and Nate make one of their own?
Review: Miguel Ramirez has made another casual sex blunder, this time during the wedding reception for Buck and Joey. Needless to say, Buck and especially Joey are a little disgusted with him, but even though the guys reprimand him, they still consider him part of their family. In his hurry to escape the reception, Miguel runs right into Nate. Nate is also trying to escape, so to help Miguel out, he gives him a ride back to Buck and Joey’s home.
Buck Swanfeldt is pretty cool and a good guy too. He saved Miguel, gave him a job at Swanfeldt’s Garage and a place to settle. Buck trusts Miguel and has no problem leaving him in charge of the garage, but still Miguel doesn’t seem to realize that he’s very important to Buck. When Miguel gives his situation some deep thought, he decides he no longer wants to be a third wheel or to disappoint his friends anymore. He’s still struggling over a bad experience with an ex and feels he’ll never have a solid relationship with anyone, and so decides to swear off men and find his own place to live. As Miguel is adjusting to his new home, he finds himself in fear of new noises and the possibility he’s being stalked.
Nate Richardson is part of Adam Klay’s FBI team. He’s dedicated to the job and feels his life is sort of simple, boring, and he’s definitely lacking in any type of a relationship. He’s also trying to figure out his sexuality. His estranged family is beyond dysfunctional, especially his father, and he’s lost the special connection he once shared with his sister, Mel, who’d raised him from the time he was three, and now won’t admit to Nate what caused the fallout between them. With those personal issues, and now the newness of this chemistry between him and Miguel, they also face other dangerous situations. Nate’s working an undercover case involving drugs and human trafficking as well as the worries he has about his partner.
Miguel and Nate both have to learn that family does not always mean blood relations, but it’s the people you meet along the way who show they care about you the most.
I really liked how Elle Keaton offers readers a good picture of Miguel. It certainly puts him in a different light and explains why he’d acted like he did. Nate was a solid figure for Miguel and kept him grounded. Nate finds himself facing some heart-wrenching secrets too. I thought Buck was just a great presence in this story—it shows how he appreciates and treasures his friendship with Miguel. The plot was well written and had a good pace, and there’s definite tension with the on-going human trafficking case that brings action and danger to the storyline. And there are cameos galore too. Adam Klay, who still yells at everyone, plays a role, as well as Weir, who pops in to help, and Seth, Sascha, and Joey. I was tempted to read their stories again, and I’m sure I will.
I’m looking forward to the next installment in the Accidental Roots series, as it’s always a surprise who gets the spotlight next. As a side note, the River Home cover is a little different from the others in this series, and it’s nicely done.
You can buy River Home here:
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