Timing. It’s all about timing. Meeting that one person, at that one pivotal point in time, when you realize status quo isn’t working anymore, and start to long for that elusive “more” your life might become.

If you are looking for the hard core BDSM themes of some of the other books KC Wells is known for, keep looking. This book is a nod to her softer side; it’s a romance about two men who need each other in unlikely ways, and the path to wholeness they take together. KC Wells understands wounded men and the journey back from the darkness in their lives. There is a metaphor in the book of one man being sunshine, smelling like the wind and sun, and one man living in the darkness of his house and in his own mind. This, in and of itself, Wells has definitely written before, but Out of the Shadows takes a higher, lighter road to redemption than some of her other works. This addition to the Dreamspun Desires series is high on romance, connection, friendship and steam. It’s low on the erotic meter, with hardly any sex at all between the MCs until the last half of the book. This is a story about beauty being more than skin deep, and a person’s worth and inner character being what we ultimately fall in love with in our soulmates.

Christian suffered a horrible and disfiguring accident, and essentially cut himself off from the world. He does talk about his therapy, which made me feel marginally better for how the story progresses. It’s been eight years for him, hiding away in his house, away from human contact. But lately, he’s started to wonder, to hope that his life could change, that he could be more like the amazing guy he watches gardening outside his windows. When his apartment leasing company sends him a note saying his flat is on a list for kitchen and bathroom upgrades, Christian finally comes face to face with the man of his dreams.

Josh is the perfect foil for Christian. Patient. Understanding. Compassionate. He is the light to Christian’s dark. When Josh meets Christian, he is determined that even if the man doesn’t want him for a boyfriend he will still endeavor to bring a bit of normal to Christian’s world, and teach him that the patio outside his house isn’t all that scary with someone beside you. The care with which Josh plans the outings he takes Christian on, the empathy he shows toward Christian, all combine to push Christian out of his comfort zone and back into life.

This book is written as a steady, light romance between two young men. Even Christian’s scars are treated with a minimal amount of angst; they are told of more as facts not feelings. It’s all about timing. If we had met Christian earlier, he would have had a different story to tell. This book is about that moment of stepping back into the light and falling in love as you learn to accept yourself inside and out. Will this book be for everyone? No, especially if you are looking for the gritty, meaty stories in some of Wells’ other series. But there is something to be said for two guys falling in love, and Wells knows how to write that hands down. Christian had a path of rediscovery to follow, and he had to learn to accept himself first before he could accept Josh’s love. That is what this book is all about. Yes, I recommend this story for a light, feel good romance!

Reviewed by Carrie for The Novel Approach