A Walk Through Fire

Reread/listen 12/11/19 - 12/12/19 & Upped to full 5. I enjoyed it just as much or more the 2nd time around. No ands, ifs, or buts.I decided to revisit this, and the subsequent books, before reading [b:The Miracle 49078806 The Miracle (Through Hell and Back, #3.5) Felice Stevens https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575319030l/49078806.SY75.jpg 74280507], as a refresher, and I'm so glad I did. I wanted to be invited to Esther's (Drew's grandmother) on a Sunday, have some latkes and a chat at her kitchen table. I regretted my harsh thoughts about Jordan. Overall I loved being swept away in Drew & Ashe's almost epic romance, I was happy to revel in the sheer romanticism of a love story between regular, albeit successful, New Yorkers. Not a billionaire in sight.****************4.5 / First read 8/1/17 - 8/3/17This was the perfect blend of an issues book, first time gay, and hurt/comfort. If you're in the mood for a redemption story this is the ticket and the audio by [a:Kale Williams 15569309 Kale Williams https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] was fantastic. Also, being a native, I'm a sucker for NYC based stories that are well told within a recognizable geography. When Dr. Drew Klein goes to sign the papers to finalize his divorce he meets the man who will turn his life inside out and set him on a path to happiness he never imagined. For Asher Davis, successful attorney, man-about-town, and all around manwhore, the good doctor is at first just a pretty face and perhaps a challenge. However Drew asks Ash to volunteer his services at a clinic he's starting for at-risk underprivileged youths, particularly LGBTQ,, and that's all she wrote. During the course of almost a year Ash becomes ever more involved, sometimes kicking and screaming, with Drew's causes, close circle of friends, and family, causing the hard shell he'd encased himself in to begin to crack and finally shed altogether. It turns out that Ash comes from a pretty harrowing background, complete with foster care, abuse, and self harm, so fair warning for those who are triggered. I liked that the relationship developed over time and that Drew and Ash got to know each other and about each other outside of hot and heavy desire. Drew even gets a girlfriend which is absolutely logical. The progression from attraction to friends to lust to love is nicely done and there are no “aha” magical moments but rather a cumulative effect of everyday experiences thus making the HEA believable and true.Theres lots to like here: good people living their lives and trying to do good, good friends who stand by you even when you don't want them there, and unshakable family love. Yes it is a big dose of sweet but not saccharine. Drew is not a saint, just a good guy trying to find his way, helping out where he can but sometimes screwing up majorly and Ash is a man trying to overcome a bad childhood with varying degrees of success. The other characters are nicely fleshed out and there's a good set-up for future books in the series.