Creek | Nora Phoenix & E.M. Lindsey
When two of my favorite authors announced their collaboration I was so excited, and immediately put Creek on my TBR list. I knew that at least one of the characters would be former military, and that is about it. I am so happy that is how I went into this book because wow. These two authors nailed this series starter! Creek and Heath are both reeling after accidents caused them to lose part of their legs requiring prosthetics and find their new normal.
To say that Creek is closed off, hurting, confused and angry at the world is a huge understatement. This man lived and breathed for the military and he was not prepared for life after the Army….especially not on his terms. Creek was wounded and became an amputee. We meet him as he is rehabbing and learning to utilize his prosthesis. So to say that the last thing on Creek’s mind is finding love. Especially not with a man. I really love how Creek really opened his mind up for the possibility of finding love with Heath and following his heart because it did not lead him astray.
Heath is a high school teacher and as a teacher myself, I felt like this author duo captured teenagers so well. The things that came out of their mouth was so darn accurate and had me chuckling. Heath was such a surprise to me. He comes across as a sunny surfer boy, and he is sometimes but he also struggles. My heart almost bleeds for him more because this man has been hurt so many times but keeps getting up and never stops loving those around him. I loved that he had people in his life that saw that struggle…and some that didn’t. Heath also lost part of his leg and is on a similar journey as Creek. Heath truly wants to find love and a partner to share his life with. He has so much depth that he doesn’t let everyone see, and when Creek finally starts to see Heath for the kind gentle soul that he is, I was so elated for them both.
The authors didn’t shy away from showing the mental and physical pain and work it takes to learn to use a prosthetic. While this book is deep and has so much emotion and struggle, lightheartedness is sprinkled in as well. Phoenix and Lindsey did a fantastic job of giving each of these characters dimension. Creek and Heath’s relationship grew so organically and it was perfection- I would consider this a slow burn but the tension on page was palpable. Not to mention the found family that they have each created warmed my heart, and I truly cannot wait to keep tabs on this friend group, but Creek and Heath!
