The Carpenter (Workplace Encounters #4) by Serena Yates
Publisher: Silver Publishing
Genre: M/M, Contemporary, Erotic,
Length: 177 pages
Summary:
Tom Halderson is a carpenter who inherited his father’s construction company. Despite the fact running a business is not one of his strengths, and having made his foreman a full partner, he is in trouble. His older brother, Derek, who vanished five years ago, has returned and wants what he thinks is his part of the inheritance. Tom refuses to give in, but lets him live in their father’s house. When Derek fails at the job Tom gives him, he turns vengeful and makes life even more difficult for Tom.
Matt Langford is a safari guide who inherited his grandfather’s house when his mother committed suicide, not wanting to face her husband’s infidelities any longer. Matt plans to have the dilapidated house renovated so he can sell it, and move back to his adventurous life in Africa. The immediate attraction he feels for Tom completely derails him.
Could the stability-loving Tom be just what Matt needs to settle down? Could the adventurous Matt be exactly what is lacking in Tom’s life?
Kathy’s Review:
Serena Yates’ Workplace Encounters series is a favorite of mine and The Carpenter is a standout addition. With Tom Halderson and Matt Langford Ms. Yates takes two ordinary yet flawed men and pieces together an extraordinary romance.
Tom is confident in his abilities as a carpenter, but in his personal life, a past abusive relationship has left him with low self esteem and self doubts. Adding to his troubles is long absent older brother Derek’s sudden reappearance in his life. This subplot provides Tom’s character with a tremendous amount of growth.
In sharp contrast, Matt is self-assured and confident. He displays limitless patience and understanding as Tom struggles to overcome his traumatic past. As Matt’s feeling s for Tom deepen, he discovers that in order to move forward, he must resolve his tumultuous relationship with his powerful and controlling father.
Tom and Matt are well drawn protagonists whose flaws and imperfections make them believable and easy to relate to. Their relationship is realistic, and progresses slowly without any big misunderstandings or early declarations of love. While their sex scenes are erotic and deliciously hot, they are also filled with emotion and tenderness.
The Carpenter is a well plotted novel with a great deal of emotional depth. Serena Yates engages her readers with appealing characters and a compelling storyline. Fans of Workplace Encounters series are sure to fall in love with this latest installment.
While The Carpenter can be read as a standalone story, I highly recommend all of the books in this delightful series.
Rated 4 Ravens by Kathy!
