Cast Off (Toronto Tales: Book 3)

Title:  Cast Off (Toronto Tales: Book 3)

Author:  KC Burn  http://kcburn.com/

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  200 pages

Rating:  B+

Quad Shot of Love

Blurb:  Toronto Tales: Book Three

Thirty-five-year-old Rick Haviland is a well-respected speech pathologist, but while his friends are all settling into relationships, he refuses to give up his no-strings-attached club boy sex life. For him, relationships are dangerous; he’s got a secret to hide. When he meets Ian O’Donnell, an account manager with a local tabloid, Rick figures his personal rules for relationships should be enough to keep him safe from more than a one-night stand.

When Ian comes out of the closet, tired of anonymous hook-ups and keeping secrets from his large Catholic family, Rick is right there, and he’s just the sort of man Ian might like to get to know better. Their attraction is immediate, electric and mutual. Ian convinces Rick to break more and more of his rules, and his defenses crumble. But someone watches, someone who’d like to see this new relationship fail. When Ian’s job becomes a means to expose Rick’s secret, it could destroy both their careers and their hearts.

Review:  As a fan of this series I was excited to see the third book featured Rick and Ian, two characters seen in book one. In Cop Out, Ian’s brother Kurt and Rick’s friend Davy fall in love, which leads to Rick and Ian meeting at the beginning of this book. I truly enjoy seeing character’s from previous books getting their own stories later in a series.

The transition from years in the closet to openly out and proud is not a smooth one. It was so interesting to see a coming out story where the majority of the problems were internal as opposed to external. Reading about Ian’s struggle to be open and honest about his sexuality is so meaningful because of his difficulty in accepting the acceptance of his family.

Despite Rick being as out and proud as possible he lives a very regimented social life, with dating rules designed to prevent intimacy and feelings. Instead of Ian, the man fresh out of the closet, being afraid of a relationship Rick is the one holding back. It’s refreshing when the more ‘experienced’ man needs help from the newbie in commitment!

The external conflict of this book is different from book one and very different from book two! There are secrets better left in the past that may be brought to light despite the damage they will do to Ian and Rick.

While it can be enjoyed on its own it might be best to read this book after the others, or after book one which features Rick and Ian. But there is nothing that will prevent you from enjoying this one if it’s the first you pick up!

Reviewed by Jules