4.25 Stars!

I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It is Book Two of Casey Morales’ HEARTSTRINGS OF HONOR Series, but it can be read as a standalone. It will be available on Feb 25th on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited: www.amzn.com/B0D5VT4XMT
Or on Casey Morales website with other merch: authorcaseymorales.myshopify.com/products/autographed-the-nursling

This is Quick & Smooth-paced 229-page  Opposites Attract, Work Place MM Romance. Taking place in one of Atlanta, Georgia’s major hospitals inside their gayborhood, two guys smack together harder than magnets. Written in a duel POV in their own chapters, this book picks up some time after the first novel FIGHTING THE FLAMES WITHIN. It gives great authentic insight to Atlanta’s gay life, from different locations, to how uniquely each gay person is from each other. What I was most excited about was the author bringing in a ethnic and culture that we haven’t really seen. I love that Casey expanded and brought in Egyptian Muslim and showed how different the lifestyle can be from us and the internal fight to self-acceptance. 

When Omar transfers to a new hospital to work in the NICU as a Nurse, he Meet/Cutes with Matty, an ER Nurse, when he is attending Orientation . But one Meet Cute isn’t enough for these two,  No….. they got three. After being pressured by his coworker in hilarious fashion, Omar asks Matty out. From there, nothing will slow them down except themselves. 

--He made brass bands play in my chest and fireworks flash behind my eyes.—

While the loud and flirty Matty working in the ER has some really funny and ‘you have got to be kidding’ moments like horny grandmas, a sword in a stone moment (oh just await)  and his hilarious friendship with Sierra (SiSi), this work place plot mostly revolves around the subdued, quiet & shy Omar learning the Ins & Outs of the NICU and the different levels and what they pertain to. That is where he meets Baby Josh, the fighter. This will truly pull at your HEARTSTRINGS. The emotion and care that they all feel is expressed with such power that you feel it yourself. It truly gives respect to the hospital workers who have to work these areas and try not to get attached. 

--“I always need you, my luscious little biscuit.”—

The chemistry these two have is forceful out and in the bedroom. Their dating starts slow, so they get to know each other. While Matty is fabulously and unapologetically flamboyant, Omar is more reserved and raised to be submissive in a Muslim household where his sexuality isn’t discussed or acknowledged. What they do have in common is their own relationships with their families. While Omar moved to the States to escape a governmental suppressed and freedomless household, Matty was pretty much abandoned, but not for homophobic reasons. But because of their different personalities, it takes Omar a moment to be comfortable, but once he does, he surprises everyone with how quick tongued his raunchy mind can be. Comso + Pink Manhattan = Sonic Boom! By the way, Pink Manhattan’s are truly vile and gross and wouldn’t recommend it, lol! But what I love about them is that they are equal to each other. The care they take is perfectly balanced and supportive. They listen to needs and come running when called.  

--“It’s time to pop the package. Even a twinkie has an expiration date and needs to be eaten.”—

The Spice is like throwing powered sugar into fire, It’s a Flash! 4/5🌶!  It’s demanding, controlling, and verbal while also having sweet moments like their first kiss being like a calm breeze (Gold Star) and intimate cuddle and caring times. It wasn’t really Dom/sub or even Daddy/boy, but it teased the line without crossing over. The Casey Morales didn’t shy away from the description of the moments and changing up their locations. Even normal conversation had spicy humorous language with each other and their friends.

--“Looking at you is like looking into the sun, if you want to be poetic.” 
“Aw, Sisi. Thank you.”
“That was not a compliment.”—

The ensemble was brilliant!  Yaaasssss!! Patrick & Dane made an appearance from the first book with a new friend, Elliot, who is a Power Pole Worker. But it was Sierra (Matty’s friend) Carlie (Omar’s coworker), and Teto (Omar’s Gma) that really rounded out and filled the cast with such hilarious moments while Omar’s family troubles & Baby Josh kept the emotion taunt. 

--His emotions were more complex than a single word.—

I really did like this book. I’m from Atlanta originally, so it was fun reliving core memories thru these two characters, from the crazy traffic to references like Swinging Richard’s and Piedmont Park. The author really set the locations well and the tone of southern city hospitality.  I actually wished there was more, lol! There are so many good places in that city that would have been fun to visit that could have filled the small time-jumps in the plot. That, and maybe more ER & Baby Josh content. Maybe just allllll Baby Josh. 

💜Happy Reading!🫶