Love Can't Conquer

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Love Can't Conquer is Book 1 in Kim Fielding's Love Can't Series.

Jeremy grew up in a small town, with indifferent parents and being bullied. He took his chance to escape when he received a scholarship to a college in Oregon and never looked back. Jeremy is a good guy, in his forties who works as an urban park ranger. He is kind, sweet, generous and always rescuing people. Jeremy helps the homeless in parks, finding them shelters or programs to help them with their lives. He sees the positive in everyone, regardless of the hurt that may come to him. When his ex-boyfriend shows up on his doorstep battered, Jeremy patches him up and gives him money. Jeremy doesn't realize that his ex has dragged him into danger. One day while hanging out in his friend's coffee shop, he sees a man that draws his attention and each time he goes back, he looks for him.

Qay lives a hard, solitary life. He has mental institutions, illegal drugs, and alcohol in his history and they're a daily struggle for him. He notices Jeremy in the coffee shop and when he hears his name, recognizes him from his past. Qay tries hard not to get pulled into Jeremy, who is too good for him but Jeremy doesn't give him a chance and pushes for more. Both men have a lot to work through to get their HEA.

This was the first book I've read from this author and it's so well-written! There was a bit of mystery with the ex in the background of the story. I liked Jeremy even though he came across so perfect but his need to fix others is his imperfection. He has a heart of gold and when most people would walk away, Jeremy was still fighting to help. I empathized with Qay and what a hard, horrible life he survived. I was happy that he was given the chance to have more of a future than he ever thought he would have. His drug and alcohol issues were a big part of this book because even though he had been sober for 7 years, it was a daily craving and struggle for him. And I hated that eventually Qay tumbled over the edge again, even though I fully expected it. I know how these stories go! But, Jeremy and Qay were able to find some closure to their past which seemed to help them have a better future. I liked the epilogue that showed us they were on track for better things.

Rating: 4 stars!

"When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose"
~ Amanda McBroom

I can honestly admit that I was a little hesitant when I read the description of 'Love Can't Conquer', Kim Fielding's newest release. Not because it didn't sound good, but because I worried that I would become way too emotionally invested in it, and end up a basket case by the end. However, from the very first book of Ms. Fielding's that I read, the author has taken me on many journeys and even knowing this might be highly emotional, I wanted to experience the sheer genius of her storytelling.

Jeremy and Qayin have more history in common than they realize when they first meet. Jeremy is an urban park ranger in his early forties who has only ever had two serious relationships in his life, the last one ending five years prior. He's a kind, compassionate man who seems to be in a bit of a funk, probably resulting from all of the homelessness and addiction he sees on a daily basis. When he comes home one night to find his ex beaten and bloody on his doorstep, Jeremy cleans him up, gives him a place to sleep overnight, clothes, and money to get to California to his sister’s. Donny shows up murdered the following evening sending Jeremy spinning with "what-ifs".

Qay is an ex-con, recovering addict, recovering alcoholic, with severe anxiety and depression, and a former patient at mental institutions. He's trying hard to keep his life on the straight and narrow, but an abusive childhood with cold, unfeeling parents and a family tragedy he was blamed for left their mark on Qay at an early age. And yet here he is, holding a job, having gone years drug and alcohol free, has a small apartment that isn't much but it's his, and he's taking classes at the community college. He's reminding himself daily about what it means to be a good, decent person. The strength of the human spirit is a powerful thing.

"Inside every man was the boy he used to be. No matter how much bigger he’d grown or how many miles he’d traveled. No matter how high the bridge from which he’d leaped."

I like the fact that I can never predict what's going to happen in a story by this author. I really liked it that the subplot revolving around Donny and the guy who killed him and then was after Jeremy didn't take center-stage. Mainly because, in my opinion, this book is a love story and that is the primary focus. Jeremy and Qay have lived very different lives, but they're both honorable and loyal men, who deserve to have a lover who thinks the sun rises and sets in their eyes.

An emotional journey and a wonderful character study, Kim Fielding reminded me that we’re not perfect, none of us are, but being perfect for each other is the only thing that truly matters.

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

I have to admit, one of the first things that piqued my interest about this book was the title. It made me wonder what was going to happen, what the conflict in the story was going to be, how it would get resolved. That's the mark of a good title, yeah? The cover is pretty fantastic, too. Kim Fielding's Love Can't Conquer is a beautifully written story about two very imperfect, flawed men who find one another when they need each other the most.

Jeremy Cox is a park ranger in Portland, Oregon. He loves his job, he has friends, a home he's proud of, and if he's sometimes a bit lonely, if something is missing from his life, well he can't really complain too much. Enter the very broken, but very compelling Qayin Hill. Quiet and unassuming, but with an inner strength that peeks through the hard shell Qay has erected, Jeremy becomes totally captivated. He feels a pull to Qay, a familiarity he can't quite understand or figure out, one that once he discovers their connection, brings the two even closer together (after a bit of angst of course!)

There's lots going on in this book. A lot of angst, a lot of inner demons, a lot of heartache, especially for Jeremy in regards to his ex-boyfriend Donny. Donny is a total mess—an addict who Jeremy hasn't seen in five years and who turns up on his doorstep bloodied and bruised. I absolutely love how Kim Fielding wove this story together. The mystery surrounding Donny, the gentle, powerful way Jeremy and Qay navigate their relationship from friends to lovers, and the way Qay slowly puts his life back together is engaging and beautiful. I like quiet books, and this one is definitely that. There's enough drama to keep you interested, enough sex to titillate but not overwhelm. Jeremy and Qay are well-developed and layered, and the story will pull you in. I thought it dragged a bit in places, but not enough to take away my enjoyment of Love Can't Conquer.

Fielding does a wonderful job with the secondary characters as well. Rhoda was a colorful presence and an absolute rock for both Jeremy and Qay. I loved Nevin; he was brash and funny and provided light hearted moments in the perfect places. As always with a Kim Fielding book, the writing is stellar and the imagery evocative and powerful. Make sure you check this one out, you won't be sorry!

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

I just LOVE a good book about selfless, honest, dependable, kind, caring, nurturing men. The kind of man who sees all the good in people and never judges. Well, get ready for Jeremy Cox! He is Love Can’t Conquer‘s answer to Shane Little from Rattlesnake. If you loved Shane, you will love Jeremy. If you loved Rattlesnake, you will love Love Can’t Conquer.

Qayin Hill has led a disaster of a life. His childhood and teen years were filled with shame brought on my his overly religious parents and he eventually took solace in drugs and alcohol to medicate his pain. He gets clean and sober and relocates to Portland with dreams of an education and a place to call his own.

Jeremy Cox! Oh, my book boyfriend Jeremy Cox. A park ranger with a heart of gold. No, heart of platinum. He is good down to his bones and takes a shine to Qay when they meet in a local coffeehouse. They start as friends and romance eventually comes into the picture and it is glorious! Jeremy has so much patience with Qay and does everything in his power to help Qay realize his dreams without taking over his life. He knows Qay needs to come into his own under his own power and offers assistance by being a supportive friend. Fuck, but I loved Jeremy!

This is an absolutely beautiful love story. The HEA will bring tears to your eyes and you WILL fall in book-boyfriend-love with Jeremy. He is all that is good and pure in this world and the healing/comfort he offers Qay will make your heart sing.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!