~ Freedom ~

Author: E. Davies

Title: Freedom

Series: F-Word 5 (can be read as standalone)

Pages: 213

Release date: 2020 June 26

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Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb: 

Agoraphobe Jaden has barely left the house in years. Being dragged to a gay bar by his big brother to bid on a blind date is not his idea of a good time. But then the unthinkable happens: he wins. Sure, he was just about ready to push his boundaries--but on his own time. Not with a probably-gorgeous stranger watching his every move.

Henry hasn't been on a date in the last year--ever since he finished with lower surgery. He works as a nature guide now in the great outdoors, and his new life suits him just fine. Just one thing's missing: a man to share it with. Jaden is sweet, accepting, yet terrified by everything about the date that isn't Henry. But he sees something in Jaden--in his courage for showing up, and his hope and vulnerability along the way.

Back home, when he's in Denver in between guiding trips, Henry quickly becomes a staple in Jaden's home. With Jaden's understanding, Henry grows confident in his own skin. And with Henry's support, the walls of Jaden's sheltered life open up. But every step forward seems like it comes with two steps back. Can they take a deep breath and step into the wide open future--together?

This novel is based on "Denver" -- a short story from the Heart2Heart 2 anthology. It has been revised and significantly expanded. It is now a standalone gay romance novel with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhanger.

My review: 

This was my first book from the author, although I wanted to read from him like forever I'm glad I started this book. 

The story was awesome and the characters totally adorable. I loved Jaden and Henry, they were lovely and strong characters. 

The romance was really good and the erotic scenes super HOT. I loved the low angst of the story, both Jaden and Henry had to struggle with their own problemes, but the end of the day they only wanted to be with each other.

This whole 'win a free date to the Grand Canyon' was interesting and I liked how everything had turned out for them. But I think Jaden wasn't as afraid from that whole date/flying alone/being in open spaces thing than he was later on the story. I mean he was really struggling with his agoraphobia later on the book, and it was really well written and came thorugh well, but I think it was confusing for the timeline. At the beginning he was able to fly mostly alone and be with a complete stranger on a new field, but later he couldn't handle more easy tasks - it was like he wasn't the same person as the beginning. 

Jaden went thorugh so much and he came out stronger at the end, just as Henry. I adored Henry so much, but I still can't wrap my head around the amount of money he had?! All the surgery while owning a big house by himself? That work must be paying very well lol.  

And Trip! I loved him too, he was a really good friend for Henry. Just as Spence was a really good brother for Jaden. And Cece, aww! That dog was cute too♥

It was a really good book, I loved it from the very beginning. Couldn't put it down and read it in one go. 

Highly recommend it!