Review of Hell on Wheels (Bluewater Bay #3) by Z. A. Maxfield

Hell on Wheels is the third book in the series Bluewater Bay.

Nash is the rock in his family, supporting his inventor father and partially paralyzed sister while he runs the family auto shop and his genius brother attends college. His life seems to be destined to remain the same for the foreseeable future, leaving no room for romance or moving on with his life.

When actor Spencer Kepler-Constantine enters his life, Nash is open to having a distraction. Spencer is in the middle of a very public divorce and doesn't want a relationship, but they could both use a friend, and one with benefits is even better.

Nash begins to see his role in his family in a new light as his relationship with Spencer develops. Do they really need him as much as he thought? Or does he just want to be needed?

Then Spencer's ex delivers a grand romantic gesture, and Nash needs to figure out what he wants before Spencer is gone for good.

I've read a few of the Bluewater Bay books scattered throughout the series. I'm currently working on filling in the gaps and reading the rest of the series.

To me, the title didn't match the story, which was a tender one filled with raw emotion and a deep connection between Nash and Spencer. I loved them both immediately, though their meeting and first interaction was a little... unconventional.

Nash seemed to need to be needed, and when he realized that his family maybe didn't need him as much as he thought, his world collapsed. It's an understandable if dramatic emotion, and I felt for him. He delights in fixing things, including people, and it made Spencer immediately appeal to him, though it seemed to move on from that before long. I could identify with Nash and feel for him as he struggled with at once feeling caged and also needing to be needed by his family.

Spencer was a bit of a mess, and it was nice to read a protagonist that didn't have it all together. His emotions regarding his ex were relatable and understandable, and it made me identify with him more. I enjoyed all the instances of his composure breaking and his emotions letting loose even when he didn't want them to. As someone who feels like I need to appear to be perfectly composed all the time, I totally identified with Spencer.

The dance that the plot did as the two men navigated their relationship and how their lives were unfolding was an absolute delight. I was riveted to the page and couldn't stop reading. I finished the book in two days. It was fantastic.

Another win in the Bluewater Bay series!

Photo Credit: Katherine Elizabeth

Stars Image Credit: lovethenerddesigns