Middle books in trilogies often suffer from saggy middle syndrome. To be clear – this book isn’t that way at all. The story picks up from where book 1 left off – with Jackson and Fletcher on the run. They head to Fletcher’s family home in Ireland because, frankly, they’ve no where else to go. Fletcher’s family are happy to see him, to be sure, but there’s an underlying tension. Fletcher abandoned his family to go live the glamorous life in London with no thought for how the family would fare. Yes, his sisters are able to help out, but his father needs a man around to do much of the work now that he’s getting older. The family also miss Fletcher and want him to come home.
But Fletcher had another reason for leaving. He’d been caught in a compromising position with another young man from the town. Another man who makes it clear he’d be happy to take off where they left off. Into all this comes Jackson. They’d hoped he might fly under the radar but Fletcher’s young intrepid sister spills the beans. Then hits on Jackson. Whether she’s blind to the growing attraction between Jackson and her brother or just wants a fling is another story.
The men aren’t safe, though, and their location is revealed. Trouble comes knocking and Jackson gets into some serious trouble.
And then the men go on the run again.
Some questions still remain unanswered. Who killed Jackson’s girlfriend? Why did his best friend confess and then kill himself? Why are people still after him? How does his career as a mega star fit into all this?
Oh, and Fletcher’s still trying to write Jackson’s biography. Although those professional lines are definitely blurring.
I want to give a special nod to Jackson’s growing realization of what’s involved in running a farm. Too often we city folk take our food for granted without any thought of where it comes from. There was a particularly poignant moment that has stuck with me that needed a mention.
I can’t wait for the next book and am glad I’m going to be able to get there right away. Finally, a quick word about Piers Ryman. He’s a great narrator and he suits this series perfectly. Definitely he’s along for this rollercoaster ride.