To Love and To Cherish - Addison Albrigh... Jaded by love and a relationship that just didn't work out Nash Marino, a nurse, is just looking to get his life back on track. First order of business is to get himself off his best friend's couch. Then find a job with better benefits and lastly settle for a committed relationship that comes with regular sex and companionship.

Dr. Myles Italus Burlingham (Emmitt) is in need of a home nurse for his elderly grandfather. He knows just the man for the job. He not only enlists Nash's help with the care of his grandfather but proposes a relationship that could be beneficial to them both.

When a freak accidents happens resulting in Nash losing his memories. It seems like a blessing in disguise for the two of them. Uninhibited by past experience Nash has the chance to rediscover why he agreed to marry Emmitt.

It was a bit of a slow read and the heat level is quite low too. I was pretty skeptical as to whether Emmitt and Nash actually had any chemistry. Their relationship was never described as having a spark or even inferring that. They really did come off as two individuals who where in a relationship for the sake of companionship. But it doesn't stay that why through the book. There is build up and as Nash is recovering something things come to light about Emmitt and why he propositioned Nash.

Everything in the book was quite tame. There wasn't much rocking of boats in this read and what there was was quite amusing. Nash was an interesting character and I wish Emmitt had been more assertive. There were times when I would think of Nash and Emmitt as two friendly cubs pawing and playing with each other. They were cute but I found myself wishing they would show more affection and love towards each other. I was missing the romance.

Take note that it'll be fine if you skip the first two books in the series. But be warned there is spoilers of how Henry and Sam came to be together and how Nash played into the twos relationship.

A free copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 Warm Fuzzy (but not sappy sweet) Stars

Joe and Ed have been together for 2.5 years. They live together. They are seemingly committed. But they haven't ever bothered to DTR (define the relationship). Joe, it appears, has never really even considered his feelings for Ed. Ed, on the other hand, has probably thought about it but is okay keeping his feelings unexpressed.

Then a new opportunity presents itself to the couple and their lives undergo a big change. Suddenly they are relying on each other more and more. It becomes harder for them to deny that they share real feelings for each other and that the relationship is more than just a convenience and great sex. Each man slowly admits to himself that he needs the other, but they continue to resist saying those three magic words.

There were a lot of things I loved about this book. It was a book about being in love rather than falling in love. I have said it before, I love those books where the initial infatuation has passed but the fire is still burning strong. The issues of struggling with family and community acceptance were beautifully handled. Maybe it all worked out a bit too perfectly for real life, but that's the beauty of fiction. The story line was fairly unique and didn't feel like this was a book I have already read a dozen times before with slightly different nuances.

Here is the only thing that bugged me. I knew they were in love. Everyone around them knew they were in love. Why didn't they know it? The reluctance of the men to DTR was the basis of this story, but the reason behind it was never really explained. I would have liked to have known what it was in their lives that stopped them from embracing the full reality of their relationship for so long.

 

Cultivating Love by Addison Albright

 

The blurb...

 

A man of few words, Joe is a hard-working farmhand who likes his simple, uncomplicated life. Ed is satisfied with his existence as an auto mechanic, but thrilled when an unexpected development in his life allows him to help Joe realize a dream. It forces them, however, to reevaluate the casual, undefined nature of their relationship.

 

They're too macho to speak of love, and neither would ever dream of acknowledging he doesn't really mind when it's his turn to bottom. When life throws them a curve ball, and the rules of their game get old, Ed makes an effort to take every aspect of their relationship up a notch. Will Joe be able to adapt to the open sentimentality Ed's injecting into their relationship, let alone the new spice in their bedroom activities?

 

So what did I think?

 

This book had something just a little bit special with it look at the relationship between Joe and Ed. Joe and Ed have been together for a long time but it is change in their circumstances that brings about changes in their relationship. An inheritance means that Ed can now provide a different kind of life for himself and Joe. They are both hardworking and honest men and they love each other. They have just been restrained in the way they show each other.

 

As they start their new life, Ed's gesture of sharing confirms his love and respect for Joe and kick starts some broader changes as both men start acknowledging the emotional side of their relationship. This includes being able to verbally acknowledge their love and changes in their physical relationship that accompany their changing attitudes.

 

The secondary character of Joe' sister Jenny injected a burst of fun and youth with her easy going and accepting attitude and the town's folk were wonderful (well most of them anyway!) The guys face gaining acceptance in their new town and dealing with some pretty serious actions against them, in a well told story that is engaging and easy to read. 

 

To find out more about Addison Albright and her books visit her website.

 

Buy Cultivating Love from Amazon.

 

Buy Cultivating Love from Loose ID.

Short read in between

2.5