Love Is Heartless

Colin Westwood is a property developer that works for his dad. He visits one of his tenants regularly a little Old retired lady in her eighties. She calls with housing issues and Colin personally goes to take care of it knowing she is just lonely. When he arrives this time, he finds her brutally beaten.

Detective Ng is a cold hearted man. He keeps walls around his heart so not to ever be hurt. He was a child of the foster system, has one 'brother' and one real friend. He has hookups and refuses more than sex twice with any. This way no strings can form. One meeting with Colin, sitting sad, in his bowtie, attracts his attention. Suddenly it seems Colin is tied to the next case as well and when he Ng shows up to help the LGBTQ center move, who is also there? Will Colin melt the ice around Ng's heart but what about Colin. He has a secret concerning his heart as well.

I like a good romance mixed with mystery and suspense, drama and angst. This book starts out very good. I found myself loving sweet Colin and trying to like Nevin. As in all Of Kim Fielding books, there are some amazing characters and more than one plot, so the story stays hopping.

I never was able to find one single clue to the murderers of these elderly people until the very end of the book when it came to a head. I would have liked a few clues and twists. However, the story focused mainly on the relationship of Colin and Nevin which was good and Nevin fighting his feelings also good. There was one instance with one of Nevins friends I thought was gonna tie into the murders but it came and went. I would have liked more with that as well ( I believe that it's in the other book). Having said that, I did enjoy the story. I loved the relationship between Nevin and Colin. I was left with a few questions I wish had been answered.
If you like detectives, land developers, slow-building romance, a touch of mystery, great family and some hot man-sex You should enjoy this story!

4 Super Dorky Love Stars – and that’s a good thing!

The first book in this series was one of my favorite reads, and I was very excited to get to hear Nevin’s story. At the very beginning, Fields set the stage of how different this book was than the first. It is always great to see a sequel be able to feel like a different book with almost familiar characters. And wow, Nevin and Collin were great characters to get to know. When we meet Collin – he’s at a crime scene almost in shock, until Nevin starts questioning him – leaving Collin almost confused about the detective and everything about the situation. When they meet once again under nefarious circumstances, both are left… wondering. Misconceptions and history played out with angst (adorable angst most of the time), with Nevin finally opening up about his experiences and Collin doing the same. While they seemingly come from different worlds, together they find a way to let their attraction pull them together.

Overall, this is a great second book in the series. There was a part in the middle of the book where the snark (or the introspection about it?) made me put the book down. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it felt like the same circle for about 40 pages or so and it irked me. But I’m glad I picked it back up again because the story went back on track and was definitely worth it.

This is a great read for anyone who read the first in the series and was waiting on pins and needles for the second one – DEFINITELY read it. I do think this can be read as a standalone (but why?), if you’re looking for a quirky detective with a deep sense of drive and yearning and an absolutely adorkable love interest who is finding his place in the world.

Review Copy of Love Is Heartless provided by Dreamspinner for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club.

I was so entranced by the first book in this series, although I suppose I shouldn't have been, seeing as Kim Fielding is a favorite author of mine and she always takes the story in a direction I was completely not expecting. I fully anticipated falling in love with Nevin - especially based on what I saw of him in Jeremy and Qay's story - and Colin, and I was very excited to see where their story would lead me.

Nevin was fifteen when he decided to become a cop and the circumstances surrounding that had my heart firmly in Nevin's hands right from the beginning. He's a detective with Family Services Division - Vulnerable Adult and Elder Crimes unit. And yes, my heart would have fallen if it hadn't already. To say that Nevin and Colin hit it off immediately would be wrong. Oh so horribly wrong. Nevin's viewpoint is “Always leave ’em wanting more. That’s my motto.” Colin is the complete opposite of a commitment phobe and started envisioning his marriage in the third grade. If this wasn't reason enough, Nevin takes great pains to annoy Colin by being a jerk. Something I have to admit I found very endearing in his character, but it just pisses Colin off.

"If Nevin had planned this scene ahead of time, he would not have pictured himself gasping and goddamn mewling helplessly while Colin Westwood—he of the natty bow ties and classic musicals—fucking ravished him."

I found it rather sweet that after spending the night with Colin - both of them agreeing this was a one-time thing - Nevin can't stop noticing couples and feeling this ache he can't explain. Family, love, and commitment terrify Nevin. He was abandoned as a child and grew up in the foster care system. As a small kid of obvious ethnic origins, Nevin learned early how to fight and win, even against guys bigger than him. He also learned the lesson of never letting himself love anyone because relationship love isn't real and he'd get hurt every time.

"Then the thought that was never allowed entered Nevin’s head, and this time he couldn’t summon the strength to push it away. What would become of him when he grew old?... Maybe Colin was right and it would all end much sooner than that, Nevin’s brains splattered on the asphalt. Jesus H. Christ. What kind of life were you living if the best possible ending involved getting flattened under the Number 8 bus?"

I honestly couldn't imagine 'Love is Heartless' being as good, or better, than the first book in the series. Again, I underestimated Kim Fielding. Colin surprised me (and Nevin) at every turn and it didn't take long to fall in love with him and see how remarkable he was for Nevin. There was some drama involved revolving around the murders, but much like in book one, the author concentrated far more on the relationship that developed and grew between these two disparate men. Seeing Nevin learn to believe in someone's love and actually feeling optimistic for the future was truly beautiful. Colin taking a risk and not sticking with the tried, true, boring, and unfulfilling was just as gorgeous.

An amazing book that reminded me that love is precious, fragile, and scary. If you don't take a chance you'll never truly live.

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

Reviewed by Erin for Diverse Reader

Kim Fielding's new book, Love is Heartless, is the second book in her Love Can Conquer series, and it's even better than the first one! Full of tons of emotion, two memorable and extremely charismatic characters, and a story line that will pull you in right from the beginning, this book is a gem and truly not to be missed. And yes, this is the second book in the series, but I don't see anyone having trouble reading this as a stand alone, even though it runs concurrently to the first book. Besides, Nevin and Collin are such wonderful characters, you'll be in love with them from the first page.

Nevin is a detective who investigates crimes against the disabled and elderly. He's also prickly as a porcupine, as foul-mouthed as any sailor, and also defiantly bisexual. He's a bit of a loner--his group of friends includes his best friend Jeremy and a few others-- and is definitely anti-relationship, but he's got no problem with one night stands. And though he's only 5'4" his personality is much, much bigger. All that being said, he's extremely likable and when he crosses paths with the bow tie-wearing good boy Collin due to a murder, well, the sparks start flying all over the place. Nevin is intrigued, no matter how much he wishes he wasn't, and Collin has his sights set on the sexy detective with the bad ass purple car and doesn't plan on letting Nevin put him off.

The friendship that grows into something more between these two was fabulous and fun. There might be a mystery as to who is preying upon the elderly, but that doesn't stop the romance between these two ... or the dirty and hot loving that ensues. And lemme tell you, sweet somewhat fragile Collin getting all bossy in the bedroom was something else! There is more to these two than just great sex though, and that was just as fun to watch develop into the soul deep connection these two have with one another. Neither has really fit in anywhere, but in the other person, they've found that special someone that just gets them. It was so satisfying watching Nevin, even as terrified as he was, fall under Collin's charms and lower his walls. And when he meets Collin's family and they readily accept him ... it'll melt your heart for sure.

This was a fantastic book. Strong writing, intriguing, cohesive plot, and all the characters were fully developed and well-rounded. I was so thoroughly engrossed in these characters and this story that I read it in one sitting ... I couldn't put it down. I would recommend reading the first book of the series, just because it's also good, but definitely don't let this one pass you by!!

*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 is Heartless is Book 2 in Kim Fielding's Love Can't Series. This book runs concurrent to the first book so each book is a standalone but because of a situation with Jeremy, they should be read in the correct order. Because Jeremy and Nevin are good friends, you get to see these two characters in each other's books but Qay and Colin do not crossover.

Nevin is a detective in the Portland Police Bureau and investigates crimes against seniors, the disabled and children. Nevin's had a tough life in foster care and has witnessed what can happen to the easily victimized human beings so he works hard to protect them. The only connection from his childhood is his foster brother Ford. Nevin is bisexual, doesn't do relationships, and hooks up with anyone he finds interesting. When he responds to a call about a senior citizen who has been attacked he meets Colin. Colin is the property manager for the elderly woman, obviously wealthy and the complete opposite of Nevin. It isn't until the men meet again at another call for a senior citizen in need that they talk more. Sparks fly between them, and even though Colin doesn't do one night stands, he is interested in Nevin and agrees to whatever he can get. Except, neither can forget their one night stand and it isn't long before Nevin's making excuses to see Colin again.

I loved the foul-mouthed, love them and leave them Nevin! Sometimes in books the character that insists on sleeping with everyone comes across really negatively, Nevin didn't. He was single, upfront and was interested in all kinds. He may have only been 5'4", but his personality and strength came through the pages. I loved the relationship he had with his brother Ford, which showed that even though Nevin said he wasn't capable of relationships, he really was. They both came out of the foster care system with a connection and support that many don't get. And underneath his bristly exterior, he was a really good guy. Colin may have appeared to have the perfect life initially, but it becomes obvious that life is not guaranteed for him. He had a wonderfully, supportive, very involved family. They were wealthy through the hardwork of his parents, but they were a loving family. Once you get to see Colin's family interactions, it explained everything about why Colin is the way he is. I absolutely loved Colin and Nevin together! They may have been complete opposites but they truly fit together perfectly.

This book also had a mystery involved and was a little more prominent in the story than Book 1, but it was not the primary focus. This book had less angst than Book 1, and for me, honestly felt much sweeter and sexier. I liked Book 1, but I loved this book. I could feel the love between the two characters, and they definitely steamed up the pages! Once I started this book, I could not put it down; this is a book that I will read again in the future! I just adored Colin and Nevin!

Rating: 5+++stars!