5 Star Book Review: Confessions of a Wild Heart

Title: Confessions of  Wild Heart

Author: Kade Boehme

GR Link: here

Genre: MM Contemporary

Vice: OFY, Abuse, drag, angst

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Lock this book up: 4 out of 5 keys. The sex is hot and supports the romance. 

Length: Novel

Satisfaction: HEA

Cover Impressions: Love it. 

Best Line: "I was lost those last few months in the military, scared shitless I'd die...Then I got home and the only sane thing I had, the only thing I looked forward to was hearing from you."

Synopsis: US Army PFC Jase Emery, on leave in Germany, sees Ase Ramirez for the first time with a camera to his face. Ase’s wild child ways provide a welcome distraction for Jase. But their weekend of fun ends abruptly when Ase’s conservative family catches them. Through email, Ase and Jase are able to keep the link open. But that too comes to an end.

Jase was never able to live up to his parent’s expectations like his brother was. He didn’t stay and work the family ranch, or marry. He saw the world. His return from serving in the Army changed nothing, he wanted to be free to live his own life. But the death of his father and his mother’s failing health force him to come home, hide his bisexuality, and live a life in the closet as a local Sheriff Deputy so he can take care of his family. This was to be his life… Until Ase returns.

After his family caught Ase and Jase together, Ase worked hard at getting the heat off himself. His occasional thoughts of Jase and their amazing weekend dwindle as life and family take the forefront and fear drives Ase to make huge mistakes.

When Ase and Jase come face to face again, it isn’t easy. Insecurities, and a hurt that have only grown with time make it hard to see the future.Can their friendship blossom into something more? With Ase’s wild side reappearing from the shadows and major trust issues, can he and Jase, with huge obstacles of his own, learn to forgive, move on, and find a peace they both so desperately want… together?

Impressions:  I've read, enjoyed and reviewed several of Kade Boehme's books, and though I have enjoyed them all, this one is something special.  With We Found Love, Boehme explored issues of mental health and created a darker setting for love to blossom.  In this novel, he continues to break hearts and put them together again when he created these complex, hurt, and strong characters who are fighting for their HEA.  

Jase is caught between his own desires and his family obligations.  He is bisexual, but fears that there is no way he can ever have the love he wants from a man without sacrificing everything he has.  In the midst of that all is the spark he felt with Ase, and the connection that slowly developed over email, and the ember that is left when it all disappears.

Ase is a compex, prickly man.  Tattooed, Latino and gay, Ase seems to expect to have to fight, and he readily does so when needed.  Smart and tough, he seems to stand on his own two feet, but under neath his tough exterior lurks a man dealing with his own secrets, fears, and internal compromises.  Can he face them himself, and can he share them with Jase?

This books pulled me in from page one, and didn't let me go until I was clicking to the last page on my kindle.  Both of these men are complicated and scarred, and yet so strong.  I loved that Ase was not an easy man to categorize...He was fiercely queer and yet he struggles with his own challenges and obligations.  Jase really captured my heart though, and I wanted to see him help Ase learn to trust, love and open up.  In the beginning of the novel it seems like Jase is the one who will have to compromise, but as in reality, both men have a journey in this wonderful novel, and it is a pleasure to watch it.  This is certainly more angsty than some of Boehme's other works, but you will be all put together at the end, and just like for Ase and Jase...the journey is worth it!

Highly recommended