In Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh, ex-surfer-turned-businessman Liam Mallaney moved back to Holkham, Norfolk, to mourn the loss of his husband. Grief and loneliness keep him a solitary figure, and he likes it that way. Until he meets Zac.  And when things get complicated, Liam must set his grief and anger aside to pick up the pieces of Zac’s shattered heart and his own.  I received one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest reviews but all opinions expressed here are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh

Purchase Links: Amazon

Title:  Rented Heart

Series:   N/A

Author:      Garrett Leigh

Publisher: Expected publication: September 12th 2016 by Riptide Publishing

ISBN13: 9781626493919

Genre:  M/M, Contemporary

Length/Format:  196 pages (print)

Heat Rating:   3

Star Rating:   4

 

About Garrett Leigh:  Learn more about Garrett Leigh by checking out her website or following her on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Rented Heart Blurb:  

Ex-surfer-turned-businessman Liam Mallaney moved back to Holkham, Norfolk, to mourn the loss of his husband. Grief and loneliness keep him a solitary figure, and he likes it that way. There’s no room in his broken heart for anything else.

Rentboy Zac Payne left London and most of his demons behind, but he still only knows one way to make a living. When he spots Liam in a club one night, it seems he’s found his mark. But Liam proves nicer-and their connection far deeper-than he’d bargained for.

Their arrangement quickly becomes too complicated for Zac, who has other things on his mind: namely his BFF and wayward flatmate, Jamie. Zac owes Jamie the world, and even as Jamie’s drug addiction destroys all they have, Zac won’t leave him behind.

Besides, Liam knows nothing of Zac’s home life, too caught up in his own head to think much

My Review:

In Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh, Liam is struggling to get over his grief after losing his husband .  He has no room in his heart for anything but his own personal misery and you can feel that grief just radiating off the page.  He has been dragged out to a club by well meaning friends but is standing outside when he meets Zac.

Zac is selling his body for rent money and this is a way of life he has gotten used to.  He has managed to get off the drugs and stay off the street but it’s a struggle every day to make rent, keep track of his best friend Jamie (who doesn’t have the willpower that Zac does) and stay safe.  Liam looks like a good way to make a few bucks for the night but there is something else that seems to draw him towards the man that he just can’t identify.

Liam and Zac’s relationship is a bit odd.  Yes, Liam is paying for his services but sometimes he really just pays for his company.  Liam is incredibly lonely and something about Zac just makes him feel better.  They start to care for one another and the whole money thing just starts to create complications.

Garrett Leigh does a great job of really expressing the emotions between these two men so that you feel it deeply.  Liam’s grief over losing his husband, Zac’s frantic worrying over his friend Jamie, the tender emotions that start to creep up on Liam and Zac as they spend more time together.  All of these things just really grab you and draw you into the story.  They are both just so sweet and sexy but their circumstances seem insurmountable.

The chemistry between these two guys is so hot.  And even the very first time they are together, when they should just be two strangers having sex, there is more to it than that. There is a connection between them that is so much more intimate than just strangers.

I loved Jamie but at the same time, hated him as well for what he was putting Zac through.  They are best friends, sometimes with benefits. He has serious drug issues and ends up creating massive problems for Zac. Note to author: I really want his story next! Please!  He needs his own happily ever after!

Rented Heart by Garrett Leigh is beautifully written, emotional, and will just draw you in completely. Just the right amount of angst balanced with a sweet love story between two guys who really need some love in their lives!

Love Garrett Leigh?  Try this book next!

What Remains by Garrett Leigh