For Parker Livingston, living was supposed to be easy. Born to money and wanting for nothing, yet somehow still down to earth about it all, Jack could have had an idyllic life with his then-partner, Jackson Kane, at his side. Despite the personal fulfillment, Park got a taste of professional independence with a small start-up video service. From that not insignificant success, Park knew he had what it took to change the world. In fact, he wanted to literally change the world. The best way to do that, in Park’s eyes, was to become a Republican, run for office, and change conservatism for the better from the inside. But to have a fair shot, Park had to cut Jackson completely out of his life and thrust himself back into the closet.

It took Jackson Kane months to learn how to live without the constant pain of heartache and years to learn how to date without constantly comparing a new beau to a long-gone flame. But time heals all wounds—or at least makes them scar over. Since Park left, Jack has built a name for himself first as a prosecutor and then as a defense lawyer for very high rollers. He has a reputation for being the very best.

When a dead woman turns up in Parker’s apartment a month before the election, Park will only settle for the very best im defense lawyers—and the only man he can trust with his closeted secret…and indeed his life. Jackson is unprepared for the tsunami of conflicting emotions he feels at seeing Park live and in the flesh again. No small part of him knows only he has a shot at clearing Park’s name. But is Jackson willing to wade into an ethical quagmire for the man who used to be the love of his life? Can the past stay in the past—what’s more, does either of them want it to?

For some reason, I had a hell of a time keeping Park/Parker and Jack/Jackson straight. I spent the first few chapters constantly reminding myself Jack is the lawyer and Parker is the politician (I even had to correct a few typos in my synopsis!). I think part of the cause is how loosely defined the main characters felt at first. As the story progresses, I felt like we got an in-depth look at Parker. He was most interesting when he was trying to explain how an out and proud gay man would reasonably (for him, maybe) choose to go back in the closet and become a Republican for…subterfuge? As I understand it, Parker represents a “socially liberal-ish, fiscally conservative” stance. The politics get hashed out on page, but mostly in ways that highlight where Jack and Park don’t agree. Rather than being a drag or a soapbox, however, these scenes really help differentiate Jack’s and Park’s world view. Their differing opinions on social issues, however, were/are not directly a source of strife between them. Rather, it was Parker’s unilateral decision to sever all ties with his boyfriend of eight years that broke them apart. For all that this concept gets bandied about, there really isn’t any in depth on-page detail about how their relationship ended.

I did feel that the way Parker and Jackson constantly revisit their breakup, plus the shock of being in one another’s presence again and under such stressful circumstances, created a robust sense of tension. Even better is that, foregone conclusions aside, it’s not at all like Park and Jack rediscover their are still strong feelings and suddenly everything is hunky-dory. McMurray does a great job showing how Jackson tears himself apart trying to figure out how he can minimize the huge potential risk of a romantic tryst—to say nothing of their eight-year relationship. On Parker’s end of things, he constantly weighs his political prospects against his personal happiness. He is buffeted by his desires and constrained by choices he cannot unmake.

As much fun as I had with our romantic pairing, I was pleasantly surprised to learn Jackson’s partner in law, Reed, was developing a “man crush” on the lead police detective assigned to the murder. While this hardly developed into anything substantial, there is enough groundwork laid that think the characters would make a fun spin off. The inspector, Gavin, is a bit of a wild card. I liked how clearly he serves as sort of a friendly foil to Jackson’s loyal lawyer—that is, Gavin and Jackson are friends, but in the case of whodunnit, Gavin is convinced Parker is guilty and Jackson is convinced Parker is innocent. Jack and Gavin do have a bit of chemistry, even though it’s clear they won’t be romantically paired.

The characters are so delightful to read and the sexual tension between Park and Jack kept me positively flying through the book. I almost didn’t even care about who actually murdered the woman found in Jack’s apartment—but that bit of storytelling really takes off at the end of the book. While I certainly enjoyed the sudden ramping up of this thriller aspect, it didn’t feel carefully planned or foreshadowed. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the murder’s role was a perfunctory case of stalking, but the action did play out in a rather predictable way. True, this formula easily tied up the loose ends between Jack and Park, but just like it was a foregone conclusion that they would form the main romantic pairing. It was also obvious (to me anyway) how the big finale would turn out.

On the whole, apart from a slightly goody-goody ending, I think the events and the characters come together in a very enjoyable story. There is plenty of drama, a small but well defined cast of characters, and a few steamy scenes. If you’re looking for a get-back-together kind of story with a dash of crime stuff and a heap of interpersonal introspection, this would be a great read for you.

This was well-written for the most part, but truthfully, the politics of the story annoyed me and I think it diminished my enjoyment of the story. This book just wasn't for me.

It could be I picked the wrong time to read this one, given the current political climate. I didn't care for Park, a gay Republican politician. There's a lot of spewing of Park's platform and the change he wants to effect from within the GOP. Unfortunately, all that elephant talk left a sour taste in my mouth. Pair that with Park's political aspirations being the reason he dumped Jackson years ago, and the story lost me.

I wasn't rooting for the MCs to get together. I liked Jackson somewhat but lost respect for him when he fell for Park again.

I also wasn't happy with the resolution of the main conflict. To me, it was all tied up in a too neat bow.

Again, all of these are my issues. Someone else might be able to look beyond my issues and enjoy this read.

This book was pretty good. It definitely held my attention and I’ll be checking out the author’s other books.

Damage Control is the first book in Kate McMurray’s Laws of Attraction series, and it opens when top defence attorney Jackson Kane is approached by senatorial candidate Parker Livingston to represent him when, as looks likely to happen, Livingston is arrested for the murder of a woman found dead in his apartment. The book is a reasonably well written and engaging tale, but there were a number of issues that kept pulling me out of the story, and there were times when the suspension of disbelief required was just too large for comfort.

Jackson and Parker – Park – have history. They met at college, aged nineteen, and were each other’s first everything; they stayed together for eight years until Park’s political ambitions (and daddy issues) forced them apart. Eight years later, Park is running for the senate… as a Republican. Okay – I’m British, so it’s entirely possible that some of the finer political points in the story passed me by, but basically, Park is a left-of-centre Republican who espouses many of the party’s conservative economic tenets while also believing it has gone off the rails and that change can only be effected from within. But the party and voters will never accept a gay republican, so he’s firmly closeted. Even though it’s a matter of record – and it comes up a few times – that Park and Jackson shared a couple of addresses over the years, we’re asked to believe that nobody, at any time during the vetting process put two and two together and made four? They were together as a couple for EIGHT YEARS. They didn’t ever have friends round for dinner? They never went out as a couple? Setting aside the fact I have a hard time believing that ANYONE would want to identify as a Republican these days, surely someone running for high political office would have been thoroughly investigated?

Anyway. It seems the murdered woman was a socialite whose father is a major donor to the party and Park’s campaign. Fortunately, however, Park has a watertight alibi for the time of the murder, and once that is established, the story turns its attention to trying to find out why the victim was at Park’s apartment in the first place? Did his political opponents lure her there with the intention of framing Park for murder?

Jackson takes the case – almost against his better judgment, which is the second big suspension of disbelief needed; he knows damn well that even though he and Park haven’t seen each other for five years, he’s treading on incredibly shaky ethical ground… but he does it anyway. And on top of that, in spite of his insistence that he and Park maintain entirely professional boundaries, they have sex. Which, obviously, can never happen again. Except when it does. And what makes it harder to accept is that Jackson does it knowing full well what the consequences will be if they’re caught.

“Jackson held up a finger. “We said there would be boundaries. This is a professional relationship. I can’t have a sexual relationship with a client. That’s right at the top of the list of ethical violations. It’s the kind of conflict of interest that could get me disbarred. We had whole classes about this kind of shit in law school.”

The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks.

I did like that Jackson was circumspect about getting back together with Park – and his concerns and hesitation feel natural – and I was pleased that Park at last got to understand just how much damage he’d done by breaking up with Jackson. Even so, the fact that he made such a big decision decision without even consulting the guy he was living with and had supposedly been in love with for eight years made him seem extremely immature and selfish – and speaking of immature, Jackson and Park are thirty-three years old, which seems rather young for where they are in their lives. Jackson was a defence attorney for a while, but moved into financial law and has built up a highly successful practice, in just ten years? And Park is running for the senate at that age?

The suspense plot is lukewarm at best, and the villain is a walking cliché who is identified because of the mistakes he makes rather than any super-duper sleuthing on the part of the police. The secondary characters of Park’s campaign manager, Martha, and Jackson’s most recent ex-, detective Gavin Shaw, are engaging, but not given enough to do, and the two principals are fairly bland, too. They talk in circles, rehashing the same things over and over, and although I quite liked Jackson, I never really warmed to Park. They don’t have much chemistry and I didn’t feel an emotional connection between them; and although they do get their HEA, their political views are so diametrically opposed that it’s hard to imagine them making a life together.

I may pick up the next book in the series, because I’m intrigued by the hints dropped that there’s something bubbling between Gavin Shaw and Jackson’s straight, married business partner, Reed, who may just not be quite as straight and married as we’re led to believe.

I really wanted to like Damage Control, but it’s not successful in terms of either the romance or the suspense plots, and I can’t, in all honesty, recommend it.

Grade: C-

3 Stars

So, I won't say that Second Chance romance is my favorite, but I enjoy it every once in a while and this one sounded good. Unfortunately, it didn't quite meet my expectations.

I liked Jackson, for the most part. He seemed like a nice man and appeared to be a good lawyer, at least until Parker came into the picture, because after that, all bets were off. I simply couldn't understand how Jackson could just jump back into bed with Parker after the way he ended things back when they were first together. Which brings me to my total dislike of Parker. He was a politician through and through, and since he was a Republican, of course he couldn't come out as gay, so even if he'd been in a relationship with Jackson for over 8 years, he had no qualms about breaking things off between them, despite claiming to love Jackson. Fast forward 5 years and Parker is running for Senate when a woman is killed in his condo, so he runs to Jackson so he could represent him.

So, yes, while the story was moderately entertaining and well-written, the romance didn't quite work for me. Jackson and Parker had chemistry and the sex was hot, but I need more than that. Add to that that the mystery of who killed the woman found in Parker's condo felt more like an afterthought in some parts and not what I expected in the rest, and well, I'm on the fence with this one. So, try it out, perhaps it was a case of it's me and not the book.

*** Copy provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley for my reading pleasure. ***

I love mysteries and was excited to read this story. I should have paid more attention to the fact that it was political because that certainly affected my opinion. And it’s definitely only my opinion.

You have a gay man who has gone back in the closet to run as a Republican. For some reason he thinks that’s a good thing. That always turns out well in politics 🙄The hypocrisy of a gay man defending the Republican party while hiding he’s gay from that party. Save me from stupid. I skipped the political portions because I’d never like Park’s character otherwise.

The mystery was the reason I came for the book and it wasn’t enough to keep my annoyance at the politics of this story. I expected more from Jack and it’s always disappointing when an author claims a character is a terrific lawyer but then doesn’t make him one. If an author is going to write a character as professional, he needs to be so.

Rating: 3.5 stars

While the two MCs had incredibly hot chemistry, I had a few issues with the book. First, how do you think you can hid an eight year same-sex relationship from anyone in the social media age? Second, making life changing decisions would probably work out best if you share your plans with your life partner. I don't know, it just wasn't working for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

If you like a dead body and a dose of suspense with your romance, a hot read this month is Damage Control by Kate McMurray. Parker Livingston's campaign for senate is upended when — scandal alert — the body of a Manhattan socialite turns up in his apartment. She's not his lover, though, because Parker is a closeted gay millionaire Republican. (It should be noted that McMurray writes this character with depth and understanding and doesn't portray him as an idiot or a caricature.)

Who to turn to in this crisis but Jackson Kane — his ex-boyfriend, love of his life and, conveniently, a high-powered lawyer. Parker broke up with Jackson years ago in order to pursue a career in the Republican party. Now, Jackson is the only one he trusts to fight for his innocence. With circumstances continually thrusting them together, they're forced to examine why they broke up — and how they could be together now. With a murder mystery to solve, a lot of time reminiscing about the past, snappy dialogue and the rekindling of old flames in luxury Manhattan hotel rooms (not the worst scene for romance!), Damage Control is a steamy, suspenseful read.

3.5 Stars!

I went in blind with this book and requested it by the cover and title alone. I know! I need to stop doing that. I also need to follow through on stopping. LOL But I don't regret getting this one. I really enjoyed the majority of the book. The romance really worked for me. The mystery, not so much.
Parker and Jackson haven't been together for five years after Parker decided his political career was more important to proceed than his 8 year relationship he had with Jackson. These men met in college and fell into a deep love. The break-up has not been kind to either man. Both have been quite lonely. Neither have been celibate since the breakup, but neither have found an ounce of what they had with one another in anyone else. When Parker shows up in Jackson's office asking for his assistance in proving his innocence of a murder that took place in his home the tension between the two is thick. All the hurt from the past comes back to the surface for Jackson and for Parker. Parker takes full blame for the way it all ended and know he's a complete fault. Jackson takes on the case but struggles with his feelings; struggles with if he can work past his hurt and anger to help Parker. The more time these men spend together the more you can tell how much their past has hurt them both and how much they still love each other. Slowly Jackson lets down his walls and the men start to allow themselves to fall back in love again. The chemistry between these men was strong. I liked them together and enjoyed reading their more intimate moments.
The mystery was a bit of a second thought in this one and in the end fell flat for me. I wished the mystery balanced out with the romance and that the mystery had a more interesting concept.
The writing and story telling was good. I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

Happy reading dolls! xx

This book was fine and had its moments but it didn’t exactly wow me. Parker and Jackson had been in a relationship for eight years, but when Parker decided to go into politics as a Republican, he broke up with Jackson. Five years later, the Senate candidate is a suspect in a murder, and turns to Jackson, a defense attorney, for help. The murder mystery was interesting but not very suspenseful. It was an easy book to read. The best parts were the longing and pining and rekindling love between Parker and Jackson. I couldn’t care less that Parker was Jackson’s client because honestly there are worse things in the world than these two old flames who are clearly meant to be together having an affair and reuniting. But I also didn’t care that Parker was a Republican Senate candidate because I’m for universal healthcare like Jackson. The writing was good, the sex scenes were tender and sexy and passionate. I liked Parker and Jackson as people, but I didn’t like Parker’s politics. I didn’t like how he had broken up with Jackson because being out and in a relationship with a man would interfere with his ambitions. At least, he redeems himself in the end. Personally, I would never date a Republican or consider one quality book boyfriend material, especially if he’s a white guy who doesn’t see how Republican policies are inherently racist. I liked how Jackson and Parker cared for each other; their affection was very sweet.

3.5 Stars Damage Control is my first read by this author. I enjoyed this story, the characters were likeable, and the interaction was engaging. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.

I love it when I'm reading a book and see all kinds of potential for another book because I think it's a stand alone, only to find out when I finish that it is going to continue as a series. :) Damage Control was the perfect start to the Laws of Attraction series.

Obviously, I really loved Damage Control. I loved Jackson from the start... Parker grew on me. I understood Jackson's reluctance to trust him. Nothing about how Parker handled their past was good. You're not supposed to treat people you love the way Parker treated Jackson. And then there was the way he broke up with him... let's just say he had a lot to make up for.

Jackson thought long and hard about whether or not to take Parker's case. Regardless of their past, he still cared for Parker and he didn't want to risk doing anything that might be considered unethical. He knew that Parker wasn't capable of murder though and he couldn't trust anyone else to prove his innocence.

On paper, these two were not a match made in heaven. They were on opposite ends of the political spectrum; one came from money, the other worked hard for his accomplishments - love doesn't adhere to those boundaries though and the one thing that they had in common was that they never got over each other.

This is the first book by Kate McMurray that's found it's way to my reading list, but it most definitely won't be my last. Especially since I can't wait to see what she has in store for readers next with Laws of Attraction.

Synopsis: Parker is a Senate candidate. And then the body of a murdered woman is discovered in his apartment. The only person he trusts to defend him is his ex-lover, Jackson. Parker chose to stay in the closet and become a Republican candidate rather than stay with the love of his life.
Jackson is a lawyer who has built up a successful firm. Although he doesn't want to take Parker's case because of the history between them, Jackson knows Parker, and knows that he wouldn't kill anyone. Eventually, he agrees to take the case with the stipulation that it is strictly business between them.
Things don't stay "business only" for long, and Jackson and Parker have to deal with their hurt from the past, the feelings, and the case in the present.

What I liked: the fact that Parker and Jackson were on opposite sides politically, but they listened to each other, and while they didn't end up agreeing with each other, they also didn't rage at each other for it. Parker and Jackson dealing with their past felt authentic and there wasn't a quick fix. The secondary characters were interesting, especially Jackson's partner at the law firm. The build in relationship between Jackson and Parker didn't feel as though it rehashed relationship ground that they had been on before. The mystery felt a little secondary to the story, but wasn't glaringly obvious. Even though Jackson got upset about Parker keeping or forgetting things with regards to the case, he never believed that Parker wasn't innocent.

What I didn't like: the unprofessionalism. Jackson not passing Parker on to his partner once the attraction started to take over was ridiculous. And the fact that Jackson's ex, the lead detective on the case, shared information with him willy nilly also felt beyond the realm of possibilities. While I liked the story and the characters, I marked this book down by a star because of how unprofessional Jackson was.

Overall impression: this author is usually a miss for me, but I enjoyed the story. Told in alternating 3rd person POV, from Jackson's and Parker's POV.

*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Second Chance Romance With Mystery and Suspense

Damage Control is the first book I've read by Kate McMurry and I loved it. The blurb tells you everything you need to know about the story except the feelings I had while reading it.

I'm a sucker for second chance stories and this is the second good one I've read this week. Parker is a bit of a jerk. He said he was deeply in love with Reed but ended a long-term relationship they had so that he could go into politics. Reed moved on after their breakup but when Parker comes to him for help he finds that he can't refuse him and he also realizes his feelings for Parker never went completely away.

I love a good romantic suspense story and the fact that Damage Control was also a second chance story really made my day. The author did a good job of hiding who the bad guy was and she did a great job with getting this reader to feel all of the emotions that Reed and Parker were having.

The story had me on the edge of my seat and I read the book in one sitting; I couldn't put it down. I decided my laundry could wait. 😊

I will definitely look for more books by this author.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book which combines a second chance romance with a political murder mystery. I loved the legal issues raised, and the twist which brought the criminal to justice.

Jack and Park spent eight years together until Park left as he wanted a republican political career – which would not happen with a boyfriend in the picture. So, for the last five years he has been living a lie. When he needs a criminal lawyer though, it is Jack's office that he goes to first. As we learn more about these two, my admiration for Jackson could only grow, and for Park, well maybe there wasn't a lot there in the first place!

As the murder case draws to a conclusion, the men have admitted how they feel, but Jack will not be in a closeted relationship – so we know that there has to be a major change on Park's behalf. It is interesting being present as he weighs up his current career against losing the man he loves for a second time. The fact that he has a significant financial cushion, and other businesses which could replace the senatorship didn't make me feel too sorry for him, but I did understand that he was ambitious and wanted to effect change from the inside. Let's just say I liked Jack's brand of honesty better!

An intriguing, chemistry laden story with plenty of mystery and legal issues of ethics thrown into the mix. I find Kate McMurray's writing style to be conducive to continual turning of the pages, so do make sure you have plenty of time when you start this book, as you will be sucked in and suddenly find you forgot dinner.

DAMAGE CONTROL is the first instalment in Kate McMurray’s contemporary, adult LAWS OF ATTRACTIONS erotic, M/M romance series. This is attorneys Jackson Kane, and senate candidate Parker Livingston’s story line.

NOTE: DAMAGE CONTROL is a M/M romance story line and contains sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jackson and Parker) DAMAGE CONTROL follows the rekindling romance between college sweethearts and attorneys Jackson Kane, and senate candidate Parker Livingston. A young woman was found murdered in Parker Livington’s apartment, and our hero is the prime suspect for all of the apparent reasons. Believing himself targeted for his run for the state Senate, Parker knows of only one attorney he can trust with his life, and his heart. Enter former lover and ex-boyfriend Jackson Kane. What ensues is the focus on the investigation into the woman’s murder, as Jackson and Parker struggle with their on-going attraction and unwavering love for one another.

Five years earlier Parker destroyed Jackson’s life when an opportunity to enter politics meant keeping secret their love and their affair. Eight years together as partner and lovers meant nothing when politics beckoned, and the potential fall-out of their relationship could have damaged Parker’s hopes of a seat in the Senate. Destroyed by the man he loved, Jackson walked away only to be pulled back into the life he had pushed out of his mind.

The relationship between Jackson and Parker is one of broken hearts, and desperate attempts to avoid the elephant in the room. Jackson isn’t willing to place his heart back into the line of fire knowing their attraction to one another continues to burn with the fiercest of needs. Well-to-do, Republican and gay, Parker’s desperate attempts to beg forgiveness is clouded by his race for the state Senate, a race that, once again, threatens the relationship with the man that he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Jackson’s law partner Michael Reed, as well as police detective Gavin Shaw. There may be an understated attraction between Reed and Shaw, an attraction that is hampered by Reed’s marital status to his wife Julie.

DAMAGE CONTROL is a story of regret, broken hearts, friendship, forgiveness and love. The premise is spicy, edgy and riveting but the main focus of the story line remained on the couple in question pushing the murder investigation into the background. The romance is one of second chances; provocative and dramatic; the characters are spirited, realistic and brilliant. Kate McMurray addresses the current wave of political divisiveness including the battle lines drawn for same sex relationships, health care and the faltering economy. DAMAGE CONTROL is an intelligent, passionate and reflective story line.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Oh, I am conflicted over this book. This is such a sweet second-chances romance featuring two men who are both set on doing the right thing – if only they didn’t have completely opposite ideas of what that right thing was. While the relationship was great, there were some other parts that didn’t sit well with me. It’s told from the main couple’s alternating third-person POV, and is the first in a new series, though it works well as a standalone.

Jackson is a high-powered defense lawyer in NYC. Though he previously worked with criminal law, he now handles white-collar cases. So he’s even more surprised when Parker, his college sweetheart and first love, and a state politician now campaigning for the US Senate, shows up at his office, asking him for help when a murdered woman is discovered in his apartment. Seeing Park again is a shock, though he doesn’t refuse to take the case immediately – initially he tells himself he’s thinking of taking the case more out of a sense of curiosity for what actually happened than because of any remaining feelings for him.

“Funny story,” said Jackson. “Parker Livingston is gay. Guess how I know that.”


Park is running for US senator – as a Republican. His campaign platform is described as the GOP “fifteen years ago—minus the homophobia and racism and sexism[.]” He’s completely closeted, of course, and he’s torn between trying to rekindle things with Jack (who he never quite got over) and being able to make a real change as a national lawmaker. This scandal might put an end to his political career for good, even if he’s proven innocent, and an affair with his lawyer would be almost as bad. Jack is out and proud – he hosts parties for LGBT lawyers, for goodness sake – and he has no wish to be Park’s dirty secret, so he knows that they have no chance. The more time they spend together, however, the harder it is to remember their reasons for staying apart.

"They’d always grounded each other, whether it was Jackson keeping Park from flying too high into fancy or Park helping Jackson hang on to his sanity when his job threatened to take it away."


I absolutely loved Jack and Park’s relationship. It was by turns sweet and angsty, and I really felt the chemistry between them. They were, basically, each other’s first loves, until Park ended their relationship, and the abrupt breakup hurt them both badly. It’s been too long for them to still be in love with each other, but there’s something still there, enough that Jack is reluctant to take the case because he fears he can’t be objective. I loved how they had this eight-year relationship – basically from college to settling into their adult lives – that they basically grew into men together, and that any of their relationships since have been compared to that first one. I think their history was worked in well, and it really added a lot of depth to their relationship in the book.

“You lie every goddamn day. You leave your apartment and you go to work and you…you pretend that this essential part of who you are just doesn’t exist. You lie when you let people believe you’re just a bachelor who hasn’t found the right woman yet. And I find myself wondering what else you lied about or if you can even sort out the truth from the lies anymore.”


There were two main things that I didn’t like. First off, I had a hard time suspending disbelief over the fact that, despite an eight year relationship with Jack, Park managed to keep the fact he was gay completely out of the public eye through two political campaigns. In today’s digital age, I just couldn’t believe that no one would’ve dug up dirt from one of their college classmates or anything like that. The second is that Park is a Republican. While part of his platform is specifically not campaigning on social issues, he’s done this more by keeping mum on those issues and not rocking the boat, even refusing to speak for a group for gay Republicans out of fear. And, I get it, I know that there are good people who are Republicans, but with all that’s going on with the Supreme Court case basically legalizing discrimination, families being ripped apart and innocent children being used as political bargaining chips, it left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m not going to hold this against the book – I’m sure the author had the best intentions while writing this – but it did dim my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, despite those issues, I enjoyed reading the book, and I’ll be looking for the next book in the series. If you like angsty second-chance romances with a side of political whodunnit, you’ll like this book!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This one’s fancy.

I can’t imagine how much time the author, Kate Murray has spent researching about electioneering. The discussions are intense and this book saved me from having to research about political campaigns. It’s not that I am interested in doing so, but I appreciate the knowledge I have gathered from the story.

It gave me what I hoped for: a second chance romance. I honestly struggled at first but after reading a few chapters about Parker and Jack, I was able to connect with them and finally went along with the story. When I started reading it, I never stopped because was afraid if I put it down, my brain would struggle to pick up on the momentum that I had just established.

Here is what I have noticed, though, Jack and Parker keep on telling each other about boundaries, how they should forget about the past and focus on saving Parker’s ass from the mess he is involved in, but I can’t see any effort as to their actions. As much as I enjoyed the strong connection and chemistry that played a huge part in raising the book’s score for sexiness, I am afraid Jack and Parker’s relationship overshadowed their professionalism. Because man, all they could think about every time they’re close to each other is if one’s touch is as hot as it had been before. But I admit how sexy those moments felt. Hot and mighty!

Here’s another one I didn’t like and I promise this is the last. The word ‘expensive’ has been used so often that I started to think the characters were bragging. Expensive suite, expensive ties, expensive scarf, see if something expensive is missing. I mean, okay. Maybe it’s just me being poor and being envious, but from the beginning the author made it clear that these characters are both successful in their careers and I don't feel the need to know what clothing brand they wear or how much everything cost. Yeah, I’m totally just poor and envious.

Overall the storyline remained interesting from beginning to end. The author gave me something I can’t call impossible in terms of the murder case. The love story is agonizing and entertaining at the same time and both Jack and Parker’s characters are strong. I appreciate independent men who aim high in life.

Oh. And I thought I would end up hating Parker for his decision to keep his sexuality from the public. But when he decided he had nothing to be ashamed of, and that neither winning nor losing his campaign could change the fact that he once wore blingy trousers, I decided I would be voting for him.

All things considered, this book is worth my vote too. Heartily recommended to readers who have an interest in politics and to those who are easily attracted to men in suits. Plus it’s not a cliffhanger. There are tears too!

***An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

I’m waffling between 3.5 and 4 stars for this one

Damage Control is an interesting book. Right away I was pulled into this story. The characters and plot intrigued me, the pace was up-tempo, and the writing smooth and inviting. I loved the idea of a second chance romance between college sweethearts Parker and Jackson. The idea that Parker was closeted due to his political pursuits and affiliations made things all the more interesting, albeit frustrating to a certain degree. I had never read this author before, but I especially loved how well-developed the chemistry between Jack and Park was from the get go. This wasn’t one of those cases where you struggle to see that connection or the long-held residual feelings. There was a palpable draw between the men and it definitely made their romance believable and easy to root for. I also liked the mystery element to the story, at least at the beginning. Unfortunately, despite an excellent start, some of my excitement for Damage Control fizzled as the book continued.

There was so much good to Damage Control that it’s hard to tease out exactly when it became too much. While I appreciated the characters talking about their issues with the past and present and acknowledging how they could move forward, the rehashing got repetitive real quick and I just wanted to see Park and Jack move forward. Eventually that did happen, but the multiple takes on the same conversation considerably slowed the pace in the middle of the book. I also was a bit disappointed in the mystery subplot. There was a lot of build-up and the ending was fairly intense, but it just wasn’t what I expected. It felt sensationalized or overblown, and in comparison to the second-chance romance, it didn’t measure up. And finally, I struggled a bit with Parker. His decision to leave Jackson was always a bit convenient to me. The fact that he was able to keep a long-term relationship that was pretty well in the open out of the public eye was far-fetched. It may have back in college and maybe I’ve seen too many smear campaigns play out in real life, but I just didn’t wholly buy it. Overall, Damage Control was a book that drew me in quickly and completely. Even when I didn’t fully jive with the characters, I was rooting for them and was invested in their story. I think if you’re a fan of second-chance romances and the political aspects of Damage Control catch your interest, this is certainly a title worth picking up. As far as I understand this is the first in a series, and I definitely plan to stick around to see what and who is up next.