Padme's Library: Review Tour: River Home by Elle Keaton

Monday, February 26, 2018

Review Tour: River Home by Elle Keaton

Title: River Home

Author: Elle Keaton

Series: Accidental Roots #5

Genre: M/M Romance

Release Date: February 16, 2018

Cover Design: Cate Ashwood

Summary:
If you don’t know what you want, would you recognize it if you found it?

Miguel Ramirez is the definition of pochos; a half-breed-white-washed Mexican–American who doesn’t speak Spanish (also unapologetically bisexual). Three years ago he arrived in Skagit a broken man having barely managed to escape an abusive relationship. Slowly, he’s rebuilt his life. He’s tried hard to discard his deepest desires and be happy with what life has doled out. Family feels out of his grasp, no one really wants to keep a stray after all. Except, maybe, a red-haired stranger with a galaxy of freckles covering his face who seems to encompass everything Miguel’s learned to avoid.

Nate Richardson; focused, solid, reliable, career-minded, Federal Agent. No time for relationships outside of work. Then he runs into Miguel with his crazy green eyes, rakish smile and outrageous sense of humor. Nate starts thinking about Miguel as more than just another guy. Nate was sure he didn’t care about sex and didn’t believe in love…he’d never met Miguel Ramirez before.

Things quickly heat up between Nate and Miguel. Crime is heating up in Skagit as well. Nate is sidelined when the case he is working on reaches a frustrating standstill. In the meantime, unnerving incidents transpire, some literally on Nate’s doorstep. Will outside forces—or their own baggage—keep Miguel and Nate apart? What exactly is family, and can Miguel and Nate make one of their own?

When Miguel Ramirez found himself in Skagit, WA he also found himself a job and friends but he wasn't able to let go of his past and the trust issues that came from it but he's getting closer every day. Nate Richardson is part of Adam Klay's FBI team still trying to get a hold on the human trafficking case. When these two meet, the passionate attraction is obvious but will they be able to find happiness amongst trust and crime?

I love this series by Elle Keaton, in fact it was one of my Best Reads of 2017 so when the opportunity to read the newest installment crossed my desk, how could I not jump at the chance? River Home is a perfect fit for the Skagit universe, not only do we get to know Miguel from Buck Swanfeldt’s Garage but we also get to meet Agent Nate Richardson working the case with Adam Klay. The characters are as appealing and engaging as ever, definitely fictional but with just the right amount of what I like to call "next door neighbor factor". I just wanted to wrap Miguel in one never-ending bear hug to keep him safe and loved but I also knew he had the strength to say "Bring it on!". As for Nate, well he screamed the classic case of needing to risk something before discovering how important it or they are to him.

As for the mystery aspect, Elle Keaton blends the case perfectly with the characters and romance between them. We get to see some of our favorites from previous entries that helped fill in their own lives as well as make Miguel and Nate's more rounded. Speaking of secondary characters who were main in the other installments, if asked whether River Home is a standalone I would say, yes technically. However, I am glad I have read them in order I just find the connections between friends to flow better which in turn just adds to the warmth and heart of the story but the case too just meshed better in my head. But, yes it could be read without having read the previous entries I just don't think I would recommend doing so.

River Home(the whole Accidental Roots series really) at its core is about friendships and love and reminding us that family does not have to be blood alone, or at all, its about heart and those who are there beside you that makes a family. Elle Keaton's Accidental Roots series is not only entertaining but it also reminds us what is really important in life and when you can blend those two factors together, you know you are reading something special.

RATING:

Accidental Roots(#1-2)

Sprink Break(#3)

As Sure as the Sun Sets(#4)

Author Bio:
Author, photographer, rare Pacific Northwest Native, Elle grew up in Seattle, WA., with the Cascade Mountain range to the east and Olympics to the west. Less than two hours northwest lie the majestic San Juan Islands. To the northeast is the Methow Valley and the scrub deserts of Eastern Washington. Geography ripe with material.

A graduate of Western Washington University, Elle has a BS in biology which taught her to be tenacious. The closest she has come to biology since then is having two kids. Like an experiment or something. She’s lived in four states (none of which were gaseous), London England, and Hong Kong; always knows what time it is, and has no problem finding parking even in the most difficult places. Cannot balance a checking account.

Elle's series Accidental Roots, mostly set in the Skagit Valley of Western Washington, will make its debut spring of 2017. Storm Season is tender, sometimes irreverent, full of nosy neighbors and help when the hero didn’t think he needed it. Writing has always been a passion but not something she was able to take seriously until recently. Now her head is full of ideas and not enough time in each day.