Breaking Cover

4.5This is Bk.2 in the Life Lessons series and I can unreservedly say that it's a welcome addition along with the continued narration by [a:J. F. Harding 21790011 J. F. Harding https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. I would however add that to really appreciate this volume you should read Bk.1, [b:Life Lessons 59074519 Life Lessons (Life Lessons, #1) Kaje Harper https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1632592568l/59074519.SY75.jpg 16204726]. You won't regret it.About a year has passed since the events in the first book and Tony & Mac have settled into a kind of half life. Tony is still a teacher and Mac continues working as a Homicide Detective. In the privacy of Tony's apartment they're like any other new couple, learning each other's ticks, foibles, and contours but this discovery is only possible away from prying eyes because Mac is decidedly still in the closet and with no immediate plans for coming out. This situation cannot hold and a case lands in Mac's lap that will change both of their lives irrevocably. What I like best about [a:Kaje Harper 4769304 Kaje Harper https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1307630439p2/4769304.jpg]'s books is that while adhering to the tropes of romance she manages to keep her stories grounded in the material reality of when & where the MC live. In this case I'm sure many readers will have issues with Mac being in the closet and Tony, despite being “out & proud”, acceding to essentially being a dirty secret. To make matters worse (or maybe it's a logical side effect) Mac can't even say the three magic words. It's a lot and I appreciated the realistic depiction of a same sex couple living in this world. The things they have in common, their sexual and emotional compatibility, what makes them a couple, are the things that keep Tony clinging to a relationship that goes against everything he's fought against. He's infinitely patient and accommodating to Mac's work and frame of mind but something happens and Tony can no longer extend such largesse. Mac must make a choice and I'm happy to say he comes through in shining color when it matters.I liked how things developed fairly organically. How Mac's reasons for staying closeted, for having his daughter in the care of his cousin, were absolutely logical without being melodramatic. I also liked that though there are two children who are integral to the story they don't overshadow Tony & Mac. Yes, the children are perhaps a bit idealized, but we already have enough drama to go around. It's also worth noting that this was originally published in 2011 and it seems like the story takes place around that same time, Marriage Equality hasn't been decided, and that reality necessarily informs the mindset of the characters. It's almost historical! To recap: I really liked it, loved [a:J. F. Harding 21790011 J. F. Harding https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s narration, and will definitely be looking forward to the next volumes on audio.Unimportant Niggles That Will Bother No One But Me: As I said, the book/story was originally published in 2011 and in a sense is an artifact of a certain time & place. I own copies of the 2011 publication. There's been an effort (IMO misguided) to change some terms and even more to align with 2022 standards. It is/was unnecessary and at times just makes the story read anachronistic as the rest remains rooted in the past and the reader is pretty aware of it, i.e. Tony & Mac can't get married in their state. I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.More reviews & fun stuff on the blog