Shattered Glass

Two questions: Why did I have this sitting, unread in my Kindle for so long? And when will the next book be out?I seriously liked this book. No scratch that. I loved this book. Why? Because the author is going for and succeeds in writing more than a romance. This is an astutely observed character study, a fairly accurate police procedural, a tight suspense/thriller and believable relationship drama between a series of characters that you can't help but want to know more about. The book is long but not in a filler or gratuitous way and never boring. We get the history and the reasons why the characters behave how they do and the icing on the cake is the simmering to scalding relationship that ignites between Austin & Peter.The story however really is about Austin Glass and the unraveling of his tightly wound life.Austin is maybe a little bit selfish, snarky, blind to things that don't involve him or what he wants and quick to strike or shut down before it happens to him. So like I was saying: human. And then Peter comes into his life and everything breaks and that's the best thing ever!This is an insta-lust, slow-burn story where there's intense kissing, BJs, and some frottage but no sex-sex on page and you won't miss it. The progression of lust to real emotion between the MCs is realistic and gut wrenching and ultimately rewarding on every level.I can honestly say that I wanted to spend more time with almost every character here: the wonderful Agelica, Luis and his forbearance, Dave who may be flawed but is ultimately a good friend, Darryl the tough cookie wrapped in a pink hoodie, Rosa who had me at the mention of Burek, Cai with his flawed brilliance and of course Peter, wise beyond his years but with good reason. Loyal to a fault and protective of his heart yet willing to make space for Austin and his myriad issues.Oh Austin. Austin. Austin. The story is told from his POV and we are in excellent and entertaining hands. He's so fed up and yet still an inherently good guy. When, and this is not a spoiler, his HEA comes it is so deserved and satisfying that I had a smile for the rest of the afternoon and immediately started looking for the sequel which is apparently nowhere to found. Life is cruel. I also had the audio by [a:Joseph Norton 5711445 Joseph Norton https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and maybe I didn't love it, felt slightly rushed at times, but it kind of grew on me and I didn't hate it. ***