David, Renewed

David has made a new start to his life in a new home. Jackson is a strong and caring man. Together they work to face crisis, rebuild their lives, and start something new. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review***

After Interior Designer David breaks up with his live-in boyfriend, he impulsively buys an older home that turns out to need a lot more repairs than expected. He had just been looking to put down roots near his mom but instead he ends up with what quickly becomes a money pit. His mom offers him the number of a local handyman, the son of her good friend. When Jackson shows up and saves David from a smoke-filled house, he turns out to be a lot different than David expected. Jackson is young, fit, hot and gay. Jackson has a lot of experience in construction and has a lot of friends in the business. David is overwhelmed by house repairs and from issues with his ex-boyfriend, and Jackson is busy with his business and taking care of his mom with MS. David and Jackson are able to build a friendship through their time restoring the house and their mothers.

Diana Copland is a new to me author and I will definitely make sure I read other books of hers! I absolutely loved, loved, loved this book and really want more! David's character was written brilliantly! The author allowed him to be the hurt, cheated on character without making him whiny or bitter. He learns from his relationship with his ex and learns to accept himself as he is and to stand up for himself. David came from an amazing family, which is not typical of MM books and he has a great best friend. Jackson is thoughtful, strong, handy and a very caring man. After all, he gave up his life and successful career to move back to a conservative area to take care of his mom. Jackson has a great group of friends, who are in various aspects of the construction business. The character development of all these people was so well done, even the jerk of an ex.

I loved that with the drama of the ex and some family issues, there was no relationship drama. All the chaos on the outside of their circle just made them stronger together. I really felt the issues with the ex were handled well and not just there to fill some drama quotient. It felt real, as did the reactions to it. David and Jackson's relationship was not an overnight, instalove. There was build up to their first date and their first night together (like 69% of the book) but I think that just further enhanced their story. And, there was no off the page sex when their relationship finally reached that point. It was on the page and it was HOT!

I really, really, really, sincerely, hope this is made into a series and we can see the supporting character friends get HEA's! I loved this book so much that it will be one that I read over and over again. I highly recommend you read this book, you won't be sorry!

Rating: 5+ stars!

4 Hearts Reviewed by Lisa

I have read a book or two by this author and have been somewhat fascinated with the worlds she creates. This story was no different than those in the fact that it was a very entertaining read. The characters were definitely a hit for me.

David dumps his boyfriend after walking in on him and another man. I would have kicked the crap out of him first, but then again that is just me. He comes to the conclusion that once a cheater always a cheater, and that this wasn't his first time probably. So he ups and moves to a beautiful home, then he finds out that it needs quite a bit of work to be done. It would seem his mother is a set up artist, and gives him the name of a very sexy and local handyman who just so happens to be gay. Which would work great, if his ex wasn't starting his crap up.

Now Jackson is similar to David, in the boyfriend department. However he decided to move home to help take care of his mom, who is ill. It would seem that his family is a bunch of dead beats. He knew the home that David bought, and also knew it needed some work. The weird thing was that all of the workers were gay, which is a bit farfetched for me.

Now I have to admit that I am not a fan of these types of stories but it is a great read, very funny in parts with a serious tone to them in others. The sexual heat can be felt off these guys from miles away. Although you do have to wait for the sex somewhat to the end of the book. I did enjoy David's mom though, who wouldn't.

There is something about men who work with their hands. Sexy and very sweet. Also second-chance at love is a great story line, although a bit over done for me. I was hoping for a bit more. I didn't care for the slow burn that this story has and wished that it had moved at a bit more speed.

Now over all the story was fun to read and I can't wait to see what other stories that are out there. The ending was a bit open to interpretation which might signal another story, however we will have to wait and see.

Diana Copland was new to me as an author, but I loved the premise of starting again, after such an ugly breakup. Finding love where you don't expect it, is one of my favorite tropes, and this one is perfect.

I really appreciated that the author did not have these men fall instantly in love. They needed time. time to learn about each other. Time for David to trust Jackson, but most importantly, time to trust himself and see himself as a worthy individual once again. That was hard to do with Trevor hanging out in the woodwork, causing trouble. However, with each successive encounter with people who cared about him, he learned that he was worth every amount of love that he was showered with.

I also like that a few things were left open ended. We didn't find out one of the little mysteries (which may or may not ever be solved, depending on the author's concern). And we didn't have a chance to see what Michael and Gil might grow to be. Ah, but that can always be another book in a series.

The secondary characters, even down to Bootsy all had their own stories that we learned as we went along, and it helped the reader to really see how this community of men could grow and become a family of their own making.

4 stars

'David, Renewed' is the second book I've read by Diana Copland and I can guarantee it won't be my last. This author has a wonderful way of telling a story and creating intriguing characters that I'd like to know in real life.

David appealed to me straight from the blurb mainly because I know about making unwise decisions when grief and despair are clouding your brain… although buying an old Craftsman style home and waiving the inspection was pretty dumb on his part. David doesn't understand how he can be so attracted to Jackson from the moment he meets him. I mean, he just got out of a five-year relationship when he caught Trevor cheating on him. Of course, being alone and single again does give David the much needed time to see how his own insecurities caused him to basically let Trevor undermine David's true self, pushing David's bright colors and fashion style to the back of the guest bedroom closet. David is determined that this will never happen again.

Jackson is, well, a dream. Gorgeous, talented, interesting, smart, kind, and just an all-around good man. Jackson came back to live in this much more homophobic area when his mother was diagnosed with MS. None of the contractors would hire him and his truck was vandalized as a welcome home. This is on top of the fact that Jackson is the youngest child and his brother and sister followed in their ultra conservative father's shoes, while Jackson has always been closest to his mother. His brother is currently running for office and doesn't have time to help with their mom and he's disgusted by his "useless, gay" brother. Jackson's sister is just too busy with her own family and frankly can't deal with sickness of any kind. My heart broke for Jackson. It really did.

Not only did the author create amazing main characters, but there are a handful of fantastic secondary ones that just made the whole book even better. Michael, David's assistant and best friend, Gil, Vern, and Manny are all friends of Jackson's who quickly become close to David as well. Oh, and David's mom and sister, plus Jackson's mom, are examples of what family should be.

Watching these two men, both of whom had trusted and been hurt before, fall in love was a gentle, sweet, slow slide into amazing. It's a true love story from beginning to end and I wouldn't have missed any of it. Not for the world. I absolutely loved this romance. Even more, I loved how all the characters came together, and based on the ending I'm fairly certain I haven't seen the last of these men. Thank you, Diana, you made my evening!

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews