Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon | Smashwords | B&N | Publisher | Bookstrand
About The Book
A romance at midnight, but happily ever after at dawn? Complicated…
Hunter Jones is stalling. One day, he’ll be a lawyer in his family’s prestigious firm, but just not yet. Instead he is working the nightshift at the Burlington Inn. It’s the perfect place to hide from everything that’s wrong with his life. Once—just once—he did something reckless and it has haunted him ever since. Romance is the last thing he needs. But then a tall, dark, and sexy stranger checks into the hotel…
Detective Cole Sawyer’s life is a complete clusterfuck of his own making. His lies have ruined his chances at a fresh start, and his anger and insomnia constantly get the better of him. Cole has no business getting involved with the honey-sweet night auditor. But with every late night encounter staying away gets more and more difficult.
When a dangerous stalker targets Hunter, Cole realizes just how far he’s willing to go to protect the man he never should’ve been with in the first place—and Hunter starts to wonder what it’ll take to rescue Cole from himself.
Night Watch, the first book in The Burlington Inn series, is a contemporary hurt/comfort romance.
The Review
The Burlington Inn is an historical place. Its main structure is original, with the lobby done in the Georgian style that dates back to the 1800’s, but as time passed, more modern wings were added to the inn.
Mr. Slater is the odd little man that owns the inn now, and he has some very interesting employees, guests and a friend, Mr. Percival Edgar Martin.
Hunter Jones is attending Harvard, studying American Law. He has an opportunity to work at his father’s law firm, Jones, Jones and Jones. But Hunter’s not ready to take that step yet. He likes working at the Burlington Inn – the late shift until five-thirty in the morning. It suits him fine and keeps him away from the nagging at home.
Hunter’s main job is at the front desk, but when he arrives each night, Mr. Slater always goes over the usual list of chores that need to be done. The front desk job works out well for Hunter, as he can continue his studies in the late evening. He needs that calm, quiet time.
He continues to blame himself for a mistake he made one night when he was out clubbing. He’s kept it a secret, and the secret is gnawing at him. The only one that he’s confided in is his best friend Skylar.
When Detective Cole Sawyer comes to stay at the Burlington, he makes a spooky impression on Hunter. Cole is tired, brooding and facing one of the most devastating times of his life. His partner is in the hospital after being shot, and Cole’s mistake has gotten him suspended. He also has a quick temper that gets him in trouble. He’s still not sure how to handle everything that comes with being gay on the police force.
Hunter startles easily and starts to get panic attacks. He has the bad feeling that someone is watching him. He still confides in his friend Skylar, who encourages Hunter to go to the police, even though it’s been months since the incident. Hunter has hidden his fears, not only to protect himself from shame, but to not embarrass his family.
Eventually, Cole recognizes that Hunter is dealing with a trauma. He has found something special with Hunter and he will do anything to keep Hunter safe.
Meiers creates two troubled characters in Hunter Jones and Cole Sawyer. They’re polar opposites, and struggle with their own personal situations and emotional pain.
There are moments of doubt and misunderstandings between Hunter and Cole, but they make the effort to gain a mutual understanding. Meiers takes what could have been a simple romance and melds with a mystery. The resulting story is well paced, full of action, danger, emotions and moments of humor.
Shining secondary characters also bring some levity to the story: Mr. Slater and Mr. Martin, are delightful chess partners! And Skylar sometimes is interfering, always flirty, somewhat flamboyant but always supportive of Hunter.
One small thing – the cover is a little deceiving as it doesn’t reflect the seriousness of this novel.
I was thoroughly entertained with “Night Watch.” As this seems to be the start of a series, I can’t wait to seen what A.G. Meiers has in mind for the next one!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
