#ARC Review || Back Piece by L.A. Witt

Back Piece by L.A. Witt
Amazon || Goodreads
April 25, 2017
ARC for Review

Colin Spencer is a tattoo artist with a past he’d prefer to keep a secret. Actually, he has a few secrets that he’d rather people didn’t know about, which is why Colin doesn’t do commitment. But when a shy sailor approaches him at the gym, Colin finds this guy pushing all his buttons.

Growing up in a conservative family, then escaping with the Navy, Daniel Moore is an unsure virgin who feels like he can’t share his true self with anyone. Seeing Colin—and his tattoos—at the gym are the sign Daniel needs to finally get those tattoos he’s always wanted, and maybe try his hand at flirting.

As Colin and Daniel spend more time together, their awkward hesitations turn into a deep passion neither expected. But with both men harboring secrets, will their relationship be able to survive their insecurities and become something beautiful?

Back Piece is a sexy, emotional journey of two people learning to love and finding acceptance for who they really are.

I requested this book on a complete whim (I mean, who could resist a tattoo like that?) from NetGalley, only to find out the publisher sent me a link to download an ARC. I know I’m a little behind on the release date- thank finals for that- but this book is worth savoring. Even though I didn’t really mean to.

Whoops.

Back Piece is the tale of two guys who’re are facing their personal demon as well as each other. We delve further and further into both Daniel’s and Colin's past as he book progresses.

For Daniel, this means embracing his identity as a male who is gay. Living his truth is done in the carefully constructed world away from his ultra-conservative upbringing. When he encounters Colin, his truth is more than what-ever physical level he had gotten to previously.

For Colin, this means working on his insecurities and his mental health. Allowing himself to love and to be loved plays a HUGE part in his growth. Watching his struggle with anorexia hurt me, and I can’t imagine what he is going through. The steps he takes to heal, his fantastic support system, and his relationship with Daniel melted my ice-ridden heart.

For both of them, this means working it out and falling in love and facing the world with each other. It also means messing up and making mistakes and hiding.

I liked the balance of the heavy topic with the super cute moments. As much as I’m so very much here for books that drag one’s soul into the depths of despair, at the moment I was reading this, that was not my mood.

Back Piece is a novel that feels like it could be part of something bigger. As the reader, we get a taste of each minor character in the books. We’re even thrown leads and given questions to ask of the minor characters. (I want books about every single one of them)

This book is a great airport, summer vacation, spur-of-the-moment read. It addresses societal stigma surrounding mental illness and the hardships that still face those coming out to their family while keeping true to the romance. I love this book. No matter how it ended up on my Kindle, I’m glad it did.