M/M Review: Velocity by Amelia Gormley

Velocity 

by Amelia Gormley 

Book #3 in the Impulse series 

REACHING OPTIMUM SPEED For Detroit handyman Derrick Chance and his lover, Gavin Hayes, the holiday season is filled with the promise of new beginnings. Gavin’s officially moving in, and after the New Year, they’ll begin house hunting. But they both know all the talk of gift exchange, whose holiday ornaments go where, and what repairs and remodels will be needed to put Derrick’s house on the market is only a smoke screen.

Before the month is over, Gavin will have the final verdict on whether or not his dangerously delusional ex, Lukas, infected him with HIV. No matter how good Gavin’s chances appear with the three-month hurdle already passed, neither he nor Derrick knows what the future holds for them.

The holidays have always been a time of loss and mourning for Derrick, but now he has to stay strong as Gavin’s own fears and doubts assail him relentlessly. And when Lukas returns, unexpectedly penitent amid troubling revelations, Gavin has to ask himself whether he can offer Derrick the future he deserves, or whether these first few months of happiness are the best they will ever get.

In this final book of the series, Derrick and Gavin become more comfortable in their relationship, especially Derrick. Gavin’s inner turmoil about his pending HIV status brings the best out of Derrick, allowing him to express his commitment in ways important to both of them. There’s a bit of role reversal at play as Derrick becomes the more confident one in the relationship while Gavin’s insecurities become heightened. It was lovely to see Derrick blossom and thrive in his new life and have Gavin allow him to be the person to be leaned on for a change.

This was an intense exploration of the issues confronting gay partners, not just related to HIV but the social aspects of same-sex relationships. While it was enlightening, it was also heartwarming to see how Derrick and Gavin worked through them, both experience a level of commitment that neither had ever had the opportunity to achieve. As with the first two books, the sex scenes were intense and an expression of both of their feelings. They were sensual, explicit and off the steam meter charts!

I love this series and these characters. They were smartly drawn, flawed individuals who I became invested in pretty quickly. The writing is extraordinary writing and I pretty much will be reading anything Amelia Gormley chooses to create going forward. If you’re interesting in exploring m/m romance with a strong storyline and finely developed characters, I highly recommend this series.

   

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