Never Let Go by M.L. Rhodes
Will and Ethan are highschool mate friends. For all the years of the school they were inseparable, then Ethan went far away for college but they remained best friends and sometimes Ethan turned back home to see Will. And for Will was pain and pleasure cause Will was deeply in love with his friend and had no courage to admit it, especially not to Ethan who seemed to have plenty of women around him.

But one night, maybe thanks to some much drinks, Will and Ethan confess thier mutual feelings, and make passionate love. Will also declares his love to Ethan. But the morning after, Ethan has to leave in a hurry, and can't explain to Will why and where and doesn't know when he will be back. He only asks to Will to never let go him and his love for him.

But Ethan can return only three years after, without any words in between, and Will has not maintain his promise, he has let go and he has moved on, try to find someone else... but this is not true, cause his love for Ethan is not dead and flares to new life when his lover is again near him. But Ethan is not the same man he was when he has left, and Will has to change to deal with this new man.

The plot is simple and somewhat cosy: the external world is only hint and never really break into this novel. Will and Ethan are first friends and then lovers, and this allow them to be able to trust themself without much words to explain the past. If not for the friendship between then, it will really impossible to believe true Will's behaviour, when hungry will turn suddenly in hunger for his lover's soul and body.

Hearts & Bones by M.L. Rhodes
From best friend to lover the passage is not always easy, but Will and Ethan, the same couple of Never Let Go seem to have chosen the right path.

Ethan, ex secret agent and very commanding man, turns in a man to be nurse by Will. He is not weak, but he needs his man to be strong and protective, to shut out all the bad memories haunting him. And he needs also to accomadate himself to a live made of 9.00 to 5.00 work and domestic peace.

Will is tender and patient, he lets Ethan adjust himself to the new life, and he looks at him like a dream come true: the love of all his life is in the end near him, and it seems not true... And in fact the past is not so willing to be forgotten.

A good sequel to Never Let Go, actually the real story: Never Let Go introduces to us Will and Ethan, but only in Hearts & Bones you can see how their relationship evolves. In Hearts & Bones Ethan is the main character and we have the chance to understand him better: Will is the reason of all his life and his salvation. The story is a good mix of romance and thriller, with some unexpected twists. The plot is well planned and as realistic as can be a romantic novel.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1602729654/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

I’m not sure what made me pick this book out of my M/M pile, but I’m glad I did. I enjoyed the author’s novel, Couplings but for some reason never got around to another of her works until now. This was a solid, very enjoyable romance. There are two novellas included, though they feel like one novel.

Ethan and Will have been friends since they were kids. And have secretly been in love with one another almost as long. I’ve seen this premise dozens of times in romance, but Rhodes adds some nuances that make it feel fresh. The men unexpectedly reveal their feelings one night, fueled by alcohol of course, BUT they don’t jump instantly into happy couplehood. Ethan leaves the next morning for his job, and doesn’t come back for three years! The author weaves a little mystery about what Ethan’s job really is (any reader paying attention will guess) but what I liked most about the development was how Will’s character evolved during that time. He was shy, and not really motivated in the beginning. When Ethan didn’t return, he was devastated but decided to make a fresh start on his life. He moved, found a job he loved and became his own man. Ethan does return, and Will forgives him (no real spoiler seeing as this is romance) after learning the horrible truth of why he never came back. Yet, that time apart ultimately changed the dynamic of their relationship – for the better.

The second novella begins right after they become a couple, which is why the books feels like one novel instead of two stories. A man from Ethan’s past returns bent on revenge. I’ve also read this plot before. But, Rhodes takes it in a very dark direction I never expected. Ethan and Will are kidnapped, and essentially tortured. As R.Parklane pointed out, some of the scenes were difficult to read – especially in a romance. I like these characters and it was hard to see them suffer. We got the requisite happily ever after, but they had to work for it.

Overall, an excellent read with plenty of steamy, graphic sex, tenderness and even some humor. Highly recommended. ( )