Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Following the death of their parents, Fin put his life on hold to raise his little sister. He’s convinced her well-being is all that matters, even if it’s at the expense of his own. A chance meeting with Noah opens his eyes to the possibility of happiness. A happiness that could shatter the moment Noah discovers Fin has an eight-year-old in tow.
Noah has been living a lie for years. When he gets publicly outed, he gets kicked out of his parents’ home and business. Although he’s angry at being disowned, Noah knows it means he’s finally free to love whomever he wants. But in order to have a fulfilling and lasting relationship, Noah has to get past his repressed upbringing and inhibitions, before Fin walks out of his life.
In order to stay together, Fin and Noah have to be brave enough to be honest with themselves and each other.
Colette Davison continues her wonderful Why I Left You series with Why I Need You. In the first story, we were there as we learned that Fin’s parents were killed by a drunk driver. Why I Need You picks up that story after that fact. Fin has assumed sole guardianship of his 8 year old sister and is working as a waiter, having left the college after the tragedy. He’s still buried in his grief, while trying to manage the household and support his sister. What a tough job for someone still young himself.
About to crash into Fin’s world is Noah, a deeply closeted, unhappy man. Noah’s entire life has been trying to hide who he really is from his conservative parents who run one of the big local funeral companies, one he’s expected to take over, whether he wants to or not. He’s been taught to live up to his parents expectations and rules, never let them down or venture outside their imposed boundaries. The consequences? A damaged Noah that even he doesn’t understand or recognize the extent of what living such a life has done to him.
Davison brings these two souls together on one night that changes everything, especially for Noah.
I loved the emotional, intimate quality of the writing. Davison has a way of making us feel of part of these men’s lives and daily decision making. She alternates chapters from character to character so we can see the impact of the events and occurrences happening on each man and their lives. For Fin, that includes his sister, his job, and his inability to move past his parents death. For Noah, it’s the damage done to him by his upbringing making him unable to physically reach out to others, even so much as publicly hugging or even shaking hands. How these two work together to form a relationship is a journey you will want to take with them through this story.
Why I Need You by Colette Davison is a beautifully written, heartwarming romance. I absolutely recommend it and the one before it.
Cover art: Charlotte LR Kane. I love the cover. Beautifully done.
Buy Links – Available on KU
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 249 pages
Published January 23rd 2018 by Smudged Ink Press
ASINB078LJLHG2
Edition Language English
