Eloreen reviews ‘The Truth Within (Pelican Bay Book #3) by Sloane Kennedy. The ebook was published October 18, 2018 and is approximately 327 pages.
Why I read this book: I love Sloane’s books. I had binge read in a week the six volume collections on cross-series stories for four of her series including The Protectors and The Barrettis.
NOTE: This ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
At twenty-five years old, Ford Cornell should have his whole life ahead of him but instead, the would-be artist is drowning in denial and just trying to get through each day. And the boy who once believed life was about following impossible dreams has finally come to accept that it’s really only about surviving a living nightmare… one of his own making.
But the bruises are becoming harder to hide.
So is the truth…
I refuse to fall for a guy who won’t accept the truth about who he is or what he wants. Not again…
They say bad things happen in threes.
For Sheriff Camden Wells, it’s more like fours… or fives… or dozens.
After an ugly lie destroys his career and the man he’d planned to spend the rest of his life with cuts him to the core with the ultimate betrayal, forty-year-old Cam is counting on his new job as sheriff of the quiet town of Pelican Bay to be the fresh start he needs. What he isn’t counting on is meeting a young man who makes him want to break all his own rules.
He wants me to accept something that will cause me to lose everything. I may not have much but it’s something and something is better than nothing… right?
Ford’s gotten used to his role as his older brother’s punching bag and being his mother’s never-ending disappointment. They may not be the Cleavers but family is family and Ford’s seen up close and personal what happens when you don’t have anyone in your corner… or when you go against family.
And there’s just no way he’s strong enough to survive that…
Nothing about us should make sense but maybe that’s why it does…
Two men… one living a lie and one knocking down the walls of the closet he was forced to live in for so long. When one white-hot encounter leads to another and then another, Ford and Cam are forced to accept that their need for each other isn’t going away anytime soon. But being together means one will need to go against everything he believes in.
So which man will bend and which will break? And what will the truth ultimately reveal?
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My Review:
The Pelican Bay series is different one entirely from The Protectors and Barrettis universe, and I really enjoyed the first two books: Locked In Silence and Sanctuary Found. I would recommend reading the first two books before this one. While each book is a different couple, they do build upon each other.
This is the story of Ford and Cam. Cam is the new sheriff after the former sheriff was ousted by the town of Pelican Bay for shady reasons. Ford is related to the former sheriff and he doesn’t want to rock the boat despite his high-as-a-kite older brother taking his money and generally making his life miserable.
As Cam continues to be gentle with Ford, Ford discovers his own inner strength and breaks free from the abuse he has suffered since he was a teen. We see their love story slowly unfold as Cam continues to blur the profession line with the personal. You can’t help but sympathize with Cam because Ford is a sweet man who helps out the animal sanctuary despite his good-for-nothing brother trying to tear him down. He can’t stay away from Ford because he wants to make his life easier.
Ford is guilty for all the things that have gone wrong for the previous couples at the hands of his brother and the former sheriff. He has to let go of the guilt for something he could not control. Everyone has to be responsible for their own actions. He comes to recognize his love for Cam and wants to be good enough to be with him.
Ford befriending Gentry, the bear his brother injured in the second book, was a powerful moment. What I didn’t understand is how that incident led Ford to deciding to change up the dynamics with his family. I read it a few times and didn’t quite get the transition to the new decision. It was still a great read. I don’t want to say exactly what happened since I try not to spoil plots, but that stood out enough I had to mention it.
As Ford and Cam work out their personal issues, the love between them blossoms. Just like the previously books in this series, there is angst, a road to love, and a happy ever after. Overall, it is a great read and I finished it in two sittings. I had to sleep sometime. 🙂
I look forward to more stories about Pelican Bay.
My Rating:
9.5/10 Points of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 4.75/5 Stars
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