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A review by stang_gt3
Behind Iron Lace by Mercy Celeste
4.0
4.5 Big Happy Stars!!! My heart broke so many times with this book. Darcy is the biggest sweetheart ever and anyone who doesn't feel for Caleb is probably already dead.
Darcy, born of the cooler Oregon wilds, is a fish out of water living in the New Orleans heat. When his business partner, cum best friend, cum sort of girlfriend (friends with benefits but who's keeping track) wants to move their online magazine office to the Big Easy he reluctantly agreed. Now their relationship is falling apart (Chester you're clearly the devil), Darcy's melting in the heat, and he's never been more miserable. Even the magazine has lost its appeal for him.
Enter Caleb! Caleb is a breath of fresh air. A world renowned photographer and Pulitzer Prize winner, Caleb is just looking for a distraction while he deals with some family issues. The open art director position at a local internet magazine seems perfect. One look at Darcy's bright blue eyes behind his adorable glasses though and it's more than a temporary job Caleb wants.
As these two fall, and fall hard, for each other they are left navigating a mine field of personal relationships, past history,and not for nothin', the minor inconvenience of Darcy's long held belief that he was straight. Both men have to face things about themselves and each others pasts and hope their relationship comes out stronger on the other side.
Ok, I want to pack Caleb up in a bottle and put him away so no one can ever hurt him again. Probably should be a Darcy shaped bottle though as it's the only way Caleb will be happy. While it's Darcy's heart that gets bruised in the book, Caleb never deserved the pain he suffered in the past. I loved watching Darcy heal those rough edges. When Caleb lashes out, in that moment of desperation, I was just begging Darcy to see through his pain to the wound underneath. It was so frustrating to watch him run away nursing his own wounds, justified though they were. I wanted to cry that he didn't know Caleb better than that. Yet at the same time it made such complete sense. They don't know each other better than that.
And it's for that reason alone this book loses a 1/2 star for me. This isn't just a case of insta-love, it's also a gay for you story. I found that dual aspect a little hard to believe, especially in the time frame of about a week. Yet, it's so well written and I just fell in love with both characters, so frankly I just didn't care about that minor hitch. The chemistry between these two was just palpable. I mean, who wouldn't drool over Caleb, tattoos, a bike, and this bad boy adrenaline seeker attitude...YUMMY! And Darcy, well he's just too cute for words! I wouldn't kick either of them out of my bed. *le sigh* And for re-read, after re-read, after re-read I won't have to. ;)
This book will definitely go on my worth it list. Anytime I want a pick me up or a dose of hot sugary sweetness this moves to the top of the list. Darcy I'm glad you kicked that awful manipulative bitch Bailey to the curb. Caleb, go get your man! This book is thoroughly enjoyable, with just enough angst to keep it interesting and as all the great love stories have, a HEA to dream on.
Darcy, born of the cooler Oregon wilds, is a fish out of water living in the New Orleans heat. When his business partner, cum best friend, cum sort of girlfriend (friends with benefits but who's keeping track) wants to move their online magazine office to the Big Easy he reluctantly agreed. Now their relationship is falling apart (Chester you're clearly the devil), Darcy's melting in the heat, and he's never been more miserable. Even the magazine has lost its appeal for him.
Enter Caleb! Caleb is a breath of fresh air. A world renowned photographer and Pulitzer Prize winner, Caleb is just looking for a distraction while he deals with some family issues. The open art director position at a local internet magazine seems perfect. One look at Darcy's bright blue eyes behind his adorable glasses though and it's more than a temporary job Caleb wants.
As these two fall, and fall hard, for each other they are left navigating a mine field of personal relationships, past history,and not for nothin', the minor inconvenience of Darcy's long held belief that he was straight. Both men have to face things about themselves and each others pasts and hope their relationship comes out stronger on the other side.
Ok, I want to pack Caleb up in a bottle and put him away so no one can ever hurt him again. Probably should be a Darcy shaped bottle though as it's the only way Caleb will be happy. While it's Darcy's heart that gets bruised in the book, Caleb never deserved the pain he suffered in the past. I loved watching Darcy heal those rough edges. When Caleb lashes out, in that moment of desperation, I was just begging Darcy to see through his pain to the wound underneath. It was so frustrating to watch him run away nursing his own wounds, justified though they were. I wanted to cry that he didn't know Caleb better than that. Yet at the same time it made such complete sense. They don't know each other better than that.
And it's for that reason alone this book loses a 1/2 star for me. This isn't just a case of insta-love, it's also a gay for you story. I found that dual aspect a little hard to believe, especially in the time frame of about a week. Yet, it's so well written and I just fell in love with both characters, so frankly I just didn't care about that minor hitch. The chemistry between these two was just palpable. I mean, who wouldn't drool over Caleb, tattoos, a bike, and this bad boy adrenaline seeker attitude...YUMMY! And Darcy, well he's just too cute for words! I wouldn't kick either of them out of my bed. *le sigh* And for re-read, after re-read, after re-read I won't have to. ;)
This book will definitely go on my worth it list. Anytime I want a pick me up or a dose of hot sugary sweetness this moves to the top of the list. Darcy I'm glad you kicked that awful manipulative bitch Bailey to the curb. Caleb, go get your man! This book is thoroughly enjoyable, with just enough angst to keep it interesting and as all the great love stories have, a HEA to dream on.