The First and Last Adventure of Kit Sawyer by S.E. Harmon
LGBTQ Adventure/ Paranormal Romance
July 20, 2023- Self-Published
Kindle Unlimited

Review by Angela

Okay, okay- I totally picked this book up because of the cover. The blurb sounded fun, but mostly because of the cover. This is a new to me author, so I went in blind. All I knew was that I wanted this book to live up to my high expectations after the blurb and cover. I’m happy to report that it absolutely did.

The Sawyer family is well-known in the archeological community. They are adventurers and seekers of antiquities. That is except for Kit Sawyer who spent his childhood being left behind because of his epilepsy. He’s turned his life to research and lecturing. Then, in a moment of fancy, he places an Aztec crown upon his head.

This is an adventure romance told in one POV, but several tropes are at play as well. Forced proximity and step-brother romance with a touch of pining and hurt/comfort, are the main ones. I’m not usually a fan of anything having to do with step-siblings, but it worked here. I think because these guys met in their teens, with Ethan playing a caretaker role, while Kit felt jealousy and animosity toward the boy who he thinks stole his place in the adventurous Sawyer family.

As these two set out to discover a hidden city in Mexico, there is a whole lot of tension, both because of their childhood rivalries and sexual attraction. The romance and relationship development aren’t in the foreground of this story, with the main adventure plot taking center stage, but I think that is why this book worked so well for me. I was kind of carried away with the trek through the jungle, waiting with bated breath to see when Kit would finally let Ethan in on his supernatural quest, and on the edge of my seat with every mishap and dangerous situation. All the while the relationship grows quietly in the background and I began to realize how much pining Ethan has been doing since they were teens.

The supernatural elements are subtle, until the very end. I was kind of expecting more- but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I liked how this book ended, the epilogue is rather long and seems to wrap everything up with a big bow. Which I liked. There is even a hint of more adventures with this couple to come, which I really, really hope happens. I would LOVE more Kit and Ethan. Like I’ve already subscribed to this author’s newsletter in case of any news of this happening.

Y’all this was a great find on Kindle Unlimited. Recommend.

Grade- B+

Content notes- MC with epilepsy, family member with cancer, violence