Review: Fixing What’s Bent by April Kelley

“Fixing What’s Bent” is the third installment in the “Pickleville” series by April Kelley.  I’ve really enjoyed reading them, and I can only hope that there will be more books on the way.

This is the story of Andrew, Pickleville’s new Chief of Police.  He’s gay and meets a wonderful man nearly as soon as he drives into town.  Problem with that is, Andrew doesn’t do commitments.  So, just a few hours after making love with Kyler, he slips out in the night, leaving Kyler confused and broken hearted.  I have to admit, I was very angry with Andrew for awhile, just as Kyler was.  This is (sort of) a good thing because that means that Ms. Kelley has created characters that are human.  Heaven knows that, sometimes, humans hurt each other. The situation with Andrew and Kyler was, at times, painful to read, but I am so impressed at how caught up I was with their story.  They have fantastic chemistry.  Their feelings for each other are palpable, even though they are both so torn.  Each time they’re together, sparks fly.  Their sex scenes are incdredible, with a lot of passion and heat.  I know that one of my favorite things to say is that some scenes are so hot, my Kindle smokes or melts.  Well…”Fixing What’s Bent” is no different.  I even read them out loud to my husband.  Gay books do nothing for him, but even he had to admit that these ones were awesome.

Along with the personal story of Andrew and Kyler, there is an underlying mystery that is (unfortunately) timely and horrifying.  The pressure starts to get to Andrew, and even though he really doesn’t want to admit it, he finds himself sitting in Kyler’s driveway at night for hours at a time.  I took that is his need to protect him as well as his need to take comfort in his arms.  I won’t tell you anything else about that.  You should read it to be able to grasp the whole thing.

I believe this book can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend that you start with the first two books in the series.  Characters do cross over.  All of the men are friends.  In fact, they’re like a family.  They’re there for each other in their times of need, and they’re with them in times of celebration as well.

This book (as well as the first two) are for anyone who loves a good romance with heat.  If you’re new to MM romance, these are perfect “starters”.  I’m so glad to have read them, and I really do look forward to any and all future sequels.