This is a re-release with additional content of the 4th book in the Spires series.

I had some mixed feelings about this one at the start of the book, as the initial relationship between Alfie and Fen is somewhat problematic (Alfie bullied and abused Fen when they were teens). It was kind of hard to get past in the beginning, but Alexis Hall is really good at problematic characters and Alfie does redeem himself.

Alfie is kind of lost, he has a lot of internalized homophobia from his family and the way he was raised, which definitely doesn’t help. His definition of what a man should be causes him some problems, but with his friends and Fen, he starts working through it. His parents haven’t cut him out of their lives, but they don’t really accept him either. He shows a lot of growth throughout the story, and starts to put aside a lot of his problematic beliefs.

Fen is not sure what he wants from Alfie initially. And they both treat the other poorly as they are trying to figure out what (other than great sex) they have together. Fen also feels stuck in his life, still grieving his mother’s death and feeling obligated to keep her flower shop alive.

This relationship is incredibly messy, but works out in a really sweet way.

There are two more proposed books for this series with no expected publication dates at this time. I really hope we get them, because they each follow a character from one of the previous novels that I would like to see find their HEA.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.