Fresh from his fourth stint in rehab, Elias James doesn’t have much to live for. His relationship with his family has never been so strained and with no real life of his own, he has nothing to live for. His overachieving twin sister and his ruthless mother’s political success as Mayor of Havenmoore has left him empty. Getting high started as an act of rebellion but the addiction soon controlled his every waking moment.

Aspiring writer, Caden Walker, thought he had the perfect life until he discovered his boyfriend in bed with his best friend. Leaving everything behind in New York, he returns to Havenmoore to re-evaluate his life from his parent’s guest bedroom. When his mom offers him a job working for the charity she runs, helping people struggling with addiction, he’s not in a position to turn it down.

Caden never expected to find what he did, but when he is assigned to work with Elias, a reluctant attraction quickly blossoms into something deeper. Can Elias find in Caden the one thing he’s always searched for or will his addiction drag him under once again? Is Caden ready to let go of his New York dream to take a chance on something unexpected? Both men are faced with difficult times of change, but can they make it through the storm to find the shelter?

 Shelter

“You make me feel safe.You make me feel calm and you make me feel normal.It’s like your’re Shelter from all the things that make me bad…”

This is the fifth book by Ashley John that I (Vicki) have read and it will not be the last. Shelter is such a well written, emotional M/M read and yet it is so much more. The character’s are believable and I was drawn into the story right from the start, and the Epilogue was perfect for their HEA. I don’t want to go into too much of how their story unfolds-but I will say this, Elias had no self-worth, thinking he has nothing to live for, his initial struggle to cope outwith his fourth rehab stint for cocaine addiction.

I was angry at the ways and lengths his mother the Mayor of Havenmoore went to make sure no one knew of her son’s existence-only his twin sister Ellie being more acceptable for Public knowledge. Caden, who tired to resist his attraction to Elias, the inevitable finally happening resulting in both male leads finding something that was missing in each other, was tastefully done yet not making it the main focus.

For me this story is more about healing, repairing relationships between brother and sister, finding the strength to confront the one who has used their power to control situations and finding the unconditional love and respect deserved.

It is an absolute must read and is worthy of more than 5*’s

You can find out more about Ashley John HERE!

Note from Emma (Tech Rockette): Apologies for this review being posted later than promised on the website, I’ve been poorly sick and am only now just catching up!