Buy Link: Search Me
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Carnal Passions
Length: Novella

Rating: 4.5

Search Me is the third book in the Cover Me series (reviewed here) and continues the story of paramedic Nick Swain and detective Andrew Carmichael.  The story picks up after the events of Trust Me and focuses on the relationship between the two men, rather than a police investigation like the first two stories.

When we last saw Nick and Andrew, they were recovering both physically and mentally from an attack by a mentally ill drug addict who tried to kill Nick and seriously wounded Andrew. In Trust Me we got a hint that things aren’t running smoothly with the guys as they are arguing a lot and having trouble moving past the attacks.  In Search Me we find that things have gotten quite dire.  Nick and Andrew are always fighting and it is unclear whether their relationship will continue. In addition to the nightmares and mental stress both men are dealing with personally, they also each feel guilty for their role in the attack on the other.  They spend their time snapping at one another and avoiding talking about their problems, settling for bouts of sex in between arguing or silence.  Nick tells Andrew:

“I do love you, Andrew, I just don’t know if that’s why I’m still here.” He spoke slowly as if every word took intense effort and concentration. “One minute, I think we’re here because we want to be. The next, I think it’s because you feel guilty about what happened to me, or I feel guilty because of what happened to you.” He exhaled. “Ever since it happened, that day has defined us. And our relationship was so new at that point… of course I loved you then and I love you now.” He met my eyes, and the pain in his was palpable. “But I can’t figure out where those feelings end and that day begins.”

Unlike the first book, Search Me is told from Andrew’s point of view.  He desperately wants to work things out with Nick, but has no idea how to fix their problems.  Even though they have been together around a year, the men only had a short time in their relationship prior to the attacks and neither one really knows how to get back to what they once had.  They decide to take a few days away to try to work things out, but finding their way back to one another is proving to be the biggest challenge they have faced.

Even though this book deals with a painful time in their relationship, I was really excited to get to see Nick and Andrew once again.  After getting the hints that things weren’t going well in the previous book, I was glad to get things resolved here and know the guys are heading off on the right path.  It was a little sad to see them struggling, but so realistic to imagine the toll the stress they faced would have taken on their relationship.  It was also nice to see some of the other characters from the series, including Macy, Brian, and Eric.

I really enjoyed this story and even when fighting, these guys are as hot as ever. This book was a great end to Nick and Andrew’s story.  If you are a fan of the series, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Search Me will be released by Carnal Passions on December 7th!

P.S. Great news! L.A Witt will be here tomorrow to talk to us more about the book and her writing. She will also be giving away a copy of the book to one lucky commenter on tomorrow’s post so be sure to stop back over!