Read my reviews of the previous series set in the same world, Vino & Veritas.
Since Leigh wrote one of my favorite books of the previous series set in this world, I immediately started with hers to revisit my favorite bar in Vermont. The heroes from the earlier book are strong secondary characters here, but this novel works well as a stand-alone. As usual, Leigh brings her phenomenal talent at character voices to play here, especially in how she balances making their PTSD and ADHD into relevant character traits instead of entire personalities.
Joss and Kai both have problems, but none of them stem from being thrown together as roommates. Though this is a “bi-awakening” story, both men are refreshingly chill about their attraction to each other. I’d even go so far as to say that this is a relatively low-angst book compared to others I’ve read by Leigh, but that doesn’t mean everything is fluffy and problem-free. Their mental health issues mean that Joss and Kai are forced to live very much in their own heads, and it’s understandable that this leads both men to make assumptions about the other that creates the tension of the overall romance arc. Basically, Leigh wrote me an “idiots in love” book, one of my all-time favorite tropes, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
The other books in this series will have a lot to live up to after this one, but I had such a good time in this world the last time that I’m excited to return.