Melissa reviews Two Man Station (Emergency Services #1) by Lisa Henry Published March 22nd 2018 by Lisa Henry, 273 pages.
Gio Valeri is a big-city police officer who’s been transferred to the small outback town of Richmond with his professional reputation in tatters. His transfer is a punishment, and Gio just wants to keep his head down and survive the next two years. No more mistakes. No more complications.
Except Gio isn’t counting on Jason Quinn.
Jason Quinn, officer in charge of Richmond Station, is a single dad struggling with balancing the demands of shift work with the challenges of raising his son. The last thing he needs is a new senior constable with a history of destroying other people’s careers. But, like it or not, Jason has to work with Gio.
In a remote two-man station hours away from the next town, Gio and Jason have to learn to trust and rely on each another. Close quarters and a growing attraction mean that the lines between professional and personal are blurring. And even in Richmond, being a copper can be dangerous enough without risking their hearts as well.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: Because Lisa Henry is awesome!! And the premise to this story sounded really good. 🙂
This was such a good book. Lisa Henry already had a fan in me and Two Man Station just confirmed that with a gold star. 🙂 Henry was able to craft such a beautiful tale that I could not put this down!! Gio and Jason and Taylor!!!! I adored Taylor – such an adorable and loving kid – I just wanted to squeeze him and say “I’ll stay home and watch you, sweetie.” Jason (Taylor’s father) is a cop in a remote town of Australia raising his ten year old son alone since his wife died 5 years ago. There are only two cops to the station (hence the title), and when there is an emergency Jason is often left in the tough situation of what to do with Taylor since he can’t be left alone. My heart just broke for Taylor being shuffled from house to house, friend to friend, often being woken in the middle of the night to go to one bed to another. On the surface one would think they are doing okay, but it’s obvious turmoil is just below the surface.
Jason had hoped that the person assigned to replace his last “partner” would be a family man for Taylor’s benefit. Alas he gets bachelor Gio, who is bringing a troubled past along with him. Gio’s history was so, so hard to hear and I knew his story would be bad, I just didn’t realize how bad it had really gotten for him. I don’t want to reveal any of his history because I think it’s best that you learn that fresh on your own.
Gio’s introduction to small town living wasn’t easy, but he does start to get the hang of things and slowly he and Jason grow closer together. Gio has no idea Jason is bisexual so when Jason kisses Gio, he is beyond shocked!
I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed seeing Gio and Jason together. They are two hurt men trying to find something soft in the quiet moments of life. Jason hasn’t been with anyone since his wife died, and Gio has been alone for about a year. The situation is obviously fraught with danger: Jason is Gio’s boss; relationship between co-workers (need I say more?); small town; the literal dangers of being on the job and possibly letting emotions overrule training; and the list goes on. Thankfully these are mature men (despite some hiccups in that area), who don’t let personal issues get in the way of the job.
And how cool was it to see Australia this way?!?! I can’t help but remember a post I saw on FB about how like 98% of the most deadliest of snakes are in Australia. :O I don’t do snakes or bugs or killer kangaroos so I think this will be the closest I get to visiting. 😉 Plus no jet lag and first class seating all the way. 😀
The ending shocked me!!! I thought something else was going to happen so I was NOT expecting what did happen. The whole plot was so perfectly executed I didn’t see this coming. I have to say I loved Lisa Henry’s ending so much better than mine. 😉 It was just brilliant.
I could go on but I’ll leave you to enjoy and experience this story for yourself.
4.5 stars or 9 Pots which could go up on a re-read in the future. 🙂 Highly, highly recommend this one.
Where to buy: Amazon; Kobo; Smashwords
I like to tell stories, mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. But they’ve gotta work for it! No free lunches on my watch.
I live in tropical North Queensland, Australia. I don’t know why, because I hate the heat, but I suspect I’m too lazy to move. I spend half my time slaving away as a government minion, and the other half plotting my escape.
I attended university at sixteen, not because I was a child prodigy or anything, but because of a mix-up between international school systems early in life. I studied History and English, neither of them very thoroughly.
I share my house with too many cats, a green tree frog that swims in the toilet, and as many possums as can break in every night. This is not how I imagined life as a grown-up.
Where to find Lisa Henry online
Twitter: @lisahenryonline
Facebook: Facebook profile
Blog: http://lisahenryonline.blogspot.com.au
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