Family Unit by Z.A. Maxfield Published by Maxfield Books on August 14th 2012
Genres: mm romance
Pages: 294
Format: Paperback
Source: Goodreads
Goodreads
A retired marine, Logan is methodical and conservative. Richard is a liberal pacifist who is pathologically afraid of guns. Yet the minute Logan sets eyes on Richard, his heart turns over like an old car engine and it isn't long before his motor is revved and Richard is in the driver's seat--even if it seems like each man is driving a different car.
Richard Hunter is parenting his grandson, and the kid--Nick--has had it rough. Richard vows nothing will stop him from creating a loving and stable home. Not even a tempting, red-hot relationship with a very attractive man. However, when Richard looks into Logan's blue eyes it's tough to stay focused.
It's never easy to become a family, what with a temperamental eight-year-old, disapproving outsiders, and outright extortion attempts. But when push comes to shove, both Logan and Richard are committed family men who want to make a loving home for a little boy who needs them. Together, they're planning to form a Family Unit, and they won't let anything stand in their way.
*Family Unit was graciously provided to me by IndiGo for an honest review.*
“What makes up a Family?”
Family Unit, is a story about a talented artist, a wonderful little boy who craves the love and attention of his youthful grandfather, and a marine. I loved all three of these main characters. Richard Hunter, with his youthful dedication, Nick Hunter, his love and admiration for his attentive grandfather, and Logan Wilde, a strong and supportive Marine. *sigh* Yes..a story about a truly committed grandfather, an absolutely squeezable munchkin, and a Marine! Yes, please! *fist pump* 🙂
This review will be multi-layered, or, multi-faceted, because..ooh boy..what a read it was. It has an excellent storyline with excellent mc’s, but with an inconsistent, underdeveloped and, at times, unrealistic writing style. While it was a very exhilarating, a very painful, and yet somehow humorous story to read, I found that I had to take multiple breaks to read it. I also felt like my head had turned into one of those clown heads as it proceeded to wildly spin around and around throughout most of the book due to the consistency of the relationship. It always pains me greatly when I come across a book which contains absolutely great mc’s, and, well-written secondary characters, for the most part, but, then there’s the writing as a whole, outside of the characters, that could use some work. For these reasons, I feel that this review will take all of this into account when determining it’s overall numerical star-value. So….that being said, let’s continue with the review..
The writing, as I briefly mentioned, gave me whiplash. As this is the second book I’ve read from this author, I’m beginning to see a pattern. For this book, the writing, at times, was all over the place. For example, very often, when it got to be very hot under the covers, it seems that much of it took place behind-the-scenes, that the overall sizzling sex seemed incomplete. Yes, there was a lot of sex. And, this is something that never bothers me. But, to get a…thoroughly developed sense of it..it needs to be..how shall I say this…well-rounded. And, while that which has been written, is beautiful, it still seems incomplete to me. Not only that, it would have been great to have more of a well-rounded development as well. Is this all they did? Surely, not. What else did the characters do? Where did they go? You get the idea.
Also, one pet peeve of mine, is that, if someone is in their mid forties…they’re not old! This has been written both ways in this book, despite even the mc’s knowing, and commenting, that it’s not old, but, the author wrote it both ways. You see? My head. Spinning. Coming across, at least, these issues was so incredibly disappointing, because I really wanted to really like this book, I really did. And, I was excited to read it, but, ultimately, it was upsetting to come across all of these different kinds of glitches within the book. I wish it had been written differently, and, also made it’s way through another round of editing to make the still necessary corrections.
However…wow, was I also on the edge of my seat when the intensity of the book had increased ten-fold. It was very often difficult to read, not only due to the seemingly always existent tears for Richard and Nick, and Logan, but also for the intense need for them to receive their HEA. But, also…*sigh*..that scene. THAT SCENE. That following moment also, when my tear ducts just permanently opened up like Niagara Falls. It had me. It tugged, it grabbed, and it surely held on. *Phew* It will definitely tug strongly at your heart strings, and, will definitely have you holding on to your children that much more.
Aside from the overall issues, this was a read that enabled me to see the kind of love that exists from a different kind of family. A family that’s built on love, loyalty, dedication, devotion, and admiration. A family is a family regardless of who it’s members are. Because after all..#LoveisLove..
Regardless of the afore mentioned challenges, I still do recommend this book as a whole. So, if you can just put aside all of these glitches, go ahead and read this gripping, heart-warming story about the artist, the broken little boy, and the marine. I do believe that it’ll be worth it.. 🙂
*star rating: 3.85
