Hide and Keep by K. Sterling
M/M Contemporary Romance
Released: April 23, 2015
Self Published

Reviewed by Helyce

When Detective Lane West is saddled with keeping track of an expert witness for the District Attorney’s huge murder case, he has no idea what he is in for. For one, Dr. Aidan Sharp is not all what he expected. The man that approaches him at the airport is young and looks like a college student in his jeans, converse and hoodie. He’s also gorgeous and sexy and Lane has more than a little trouble hiding his initial reaction to Aidan.  Before he knows it, a  simple “pick up the witness and deliver him to the station” turns into so much more.

The blurb for this book on Goodreads really does not do this story justice, but thankfully there is a short excerpt included which peaked my interest.  It’s a scene which gives you a very good idea of the tension that these main characters experience as they navigate the beginnings of  their relationship. What it doesn’t state is that Aidan Sharp has Aspergers Syndrome. I struggled with noting that in my review because it is not revealed in the blurb and I do consider it slightly spoiler-ish, but I don’t think I could do my review justice without noting it as it shapes and defines Aidan’s character.

Lane and Aidan’s initial meeting occurs at the airport. As people deplane, Lane expects every older, suit wearing, stodgy man who gets off the plane to be Aidan Sharp until he notices the gorgeous, sexy, young man approaching.  Lane is unable to hide his surprise and attraction.

“Lane was half way in love by the time the man was a few strides away.  He held his breath as he watched full, wide lips pull into a cocky grin.  Lane Looked around in confusion.  Was he in the wrong terminal or did he miss Sharp while he was falling into a lust trance.

I believe you’re looking for me.”

I found Aidan completely endearing.  From the moment he asks Lane to take him to get McDonalds and then take him to the mall to go shopping, I knew that Aidan would be a unique and interesting character.  Though high functioning and extremely intelligent, he cannot stop his mouth from saying the first thing that comes to mind. Lane is immediately taken aback by Aidan’s forwardness until Aidan explains that he has Asperger’s.

On the drive from the airport Lane realizes that he is totally out of his element and you know that the first chance he has to get on his computer and Google Asperger’s, he will be doing it.  But rather than dump Aidan and leave him to his own devices, which seemed to be exactly what Aidan expected, Lane surprises him and invites Aidan into his home.  We immediately see Lane in a different light as his compassion and kindness come through.  Aidan is completely unprepared for any of it and you see him struggling to adjust to something different from his expectation while at the same time feeling a sense of comfort and a kind of relief. His reaction is palpable when he stands in the doorway of Lane’s guest bedroom and just stares at the bed.

The true meaning behind some of Aidan’s strange requests are not revealed until later in the story after Aidan and Lane have bonded.  The threat to Aidan is very real and we see Lane take steps to insure his safety.  It’s wrapped up pretty quickly in a predictable way but because the author had prepared the reader and there was an expectation of that conclusion I was okay with the fact that it all seemed to be too easily tied up.

I’m so glad I took a chance on this story.  I am so impressed that for its page count the author was able to convey so much.  Beautifully written, I could feel everything that Aidan goes through as Lane pushes him out of his comfort zone, over and over again with respect to his routine, not allowing him to continue in his bad habits and creating a safe place for him in which to just be himself. Both Lane and Aidan are vulnerable, but for completely different reasons.

I adored Lane and Aidan. A sexy, well rounded story with a little bit of suspense and humor and interesting secondary characters.  Definitely recommend; and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Rating: A

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