Book Review: Welcoming The Recluse by Nora Phoenix

Book Blurb

I’m a man on a mission to stay as far away from everyone else as possible. I have too much damage as a veteran, and this is the only way to keep those I love safe—especially Boden, my teenage son, whom I haven’t seen in years.

I find a quiet spot on top of a mountain where no one bothers me. Until Arek shows up, the local doctor and a single dad to teenage twins. I help him with an emergency, but something happens. There’s a spark, a connection between us I’ve never felt before.

We become friends, and slowly but surely, he’s the reason I come down the mountain. Even though I’ve never been attracted to a man, I’m very much into Arek, and our friendship grows into more.

But the past never stays in the past, and if I want a future with Arek, I’ll have to deal with the mistakes I’ve made. Can I repair what I broke, or is it too late to find healing?

Welcoming the Recluse is a super slow burn, friends-to-lovers MM romance set in a small town, featuring two older single dads, a bi awakening, and all the hurt/comfort.

Book Review

Welcoming the Recluse, by Nora Phoenix, is book 7 in the Forestville Silver Foxes series and is a hurt/comfort single dads bi awakening romance between local Town doctor Arek and recluse Macallister. Mac is a veteran who has PTSD and has moved to the mountains to isolate from his ex-wife and son, Boden, following a PTSD flashback-related accident. Following a chance encounter with Arek, the father of twin boys, Kace and Jules, the two men develop a gentle friendship which over time turns into a deep and loving relationship.

I found this such a moving story of two older male main characters learning to heal, love and be loved. Mac clearly struggled with his choice to leave and miss out on Boden growing up but felt he had made the best decision at the time. Meeting Arek and the boys, really allowed him to revisit his choices and recognise that he wanted more and to take the steps to make that happen. I liked how both men really saw each other, Arek really cared for Mac very early on but never crowded him while he wanted to keep his distance. The hurt/comfort is reciprocal, and I liked that when Arek had a very visceral and emotional burnout episode that Mac willingly stepped up to be there for him. The two men supported and each other and their care and love for each other was really moving to read. They had good chemistry both emotional and physical and Mac’s bi awakening was beautifully explored within the context of the story. I thought the boys, Kace and Jule’s personalities were extremely well written and believable. Mac and Boden had to re-develop and renew their relationship after Mac had left and this was addressed in a realistic way that made sense.

I liked the writing style although it felt different to previous books in the series, it really worked for this story. This is an emotional read and deals with quite mature subjects as well as flawed characters learning to do their best and be kind to themselves. I really enjoyed reading this book and think it is a good addition to the series and would recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5