Scratcher (Irons and Works Book 7)

All these books in this series has been amazing. Having a disability is hard, being accepted for it is much harder. Reading about Micah, really put some things in perspective about myself. This book was emotional for me but I still very much enjoyed it like all the others. Also, who doesn't like a HEA, maybe one day I will get mine.

Ryan has a child with cystic fibrosis. He spends a lot of time with her but Thursday nights are his. That's when he meet Micah. Love finds two lonely hearts.

This was just going to be a quick one-night stand hookup for IT Manager Ryan and Tattoo Artist Micah, but of course, it was so much more. I have mixed feelings about this book. I felt like I was starting in the middle of the storyline. The way the guys (Irons & Works) all embraced and loved Micah, they were so invested in him. However, we were only subject to his lashing out, his BPD episodes. It seemed I was missing part of the tale. I also didn’t feel a strong connection between the MCs. Then there’s the continuity issue with baby Jazzy is 2-ish in this story but wasn’t she three in another story in this series. (I know I’m caught up in minor details, but they can be a distraction). OTOH, I did love the general premise, the sensitivity in bringing BPD and CF into this storyline, and I love the Irons and Works setting. An aside: Did Ruby and Amaranth (Basil’s sister) break up? Overall, this was a good but intense read. Rating: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love reading books in this series and books by this author in general. As with the others, this book included MCs who were managing difficult circumstances and who often felt unloved and misunderstood. I had a really difficult time rating this story or reading it without judgment though. I’m a psychologist whose specialty is working with clients with BPD and BP, and I couldn’t help but feel that the MC with these disorders was conceptualized as someone with problems that would never resolve instead of as someone who had treatable issues and who needed to learn skills to manage them. Most therapists in this day and age would recommend DBT, and I wish this character had the hope that comes with getting treatment designed to reduce his symptoms. I love working with this population, especially because the treatment outcomes are usually so good. I’m not saying that a person is necessarily “cured” with DBT, yet a character as smart as the one in this book would likely be more functional than he was often written to be. The key to understanding why a person with BPD does what they do is to know that what we may see as problematic behavior is actually being used by the person with BPD to *solve* a particular problem. I just wish that Micah had been given the opportunity to feel that he wasn’t held hostage by his diagnoses. Otherwise, this was an excellent story that I recommend wholeheartedly.

I like when I learn something new. I did not know about BPD or Cystic Fibrosis. These series have open my eyes, mind and heart. I recommend every book! What also like is that this genre M/M, Gay Romance have gone where a regular M/F have not and that is the acknowledgement of mental health is not just about "Gay Sex". As for "regular/normal couple M/F" is still stuck on the man saving the woman from whatever she stuck and even when the woman is tough and proven herself still doesn't acknowledge other issues mental or physical disabilities.I said too much! Back to the story is a great story of a single dad raising a beautiful baby girl with cystic fibrosis. Ryan has become and Island dedicating himself 24/7 and scare to let love in. Until he meets Micah. Micah suffers from BPD and Bipolar disorder due to a traumatic childhood. Micah has settled to thinking he will never find love and worst that everybody will leave him at some point in his life. Then he meets Ryan and both have this need and love for each other and the eye awakening that they deserve each other, they deserve Love!💖

Love Micah and Ryan have a lot to overcome. There are so many factors but slowly they find their way. The bond they have does not come around for everyone.Love the emotions and connections the author puts into all her characters but also love this series as she brings to light some very important views and issues with many different disabilities. I have actually learned about some of the disabilities (yes I looked them up to read more about certain areas she wrote about) but the best part was not just facts but the emotions and thoughts of the people with these disabilities, truly an emotional ride. Next in the series is already downloaded

Micah and Ryan are such a welcome addition to Fairfield! Filled with Lindsey's usually heart and steam, it's wonderful to have another story set at with the folks at Irons and Works.Micah's baggage comes with baggage - from a crappy childhood to an unpredictable adulthood, he's finally found a home at Irons and Works. His friends-his found family-know how to help keep him on an even keel and ensure he knows he's loved and supported. Ryan's a single dad to a sick daughter who can't see past her needs and his job. He allows himself one night a week off and, during one of those nights, he meets Micah.While the connection is quick, the men have to fight hard for their HEA as they learn how to give each other what they need to be happy.

This is a mm modern romance, the seventh book in a series that Must be read in order. My god there was so much Identified with in this story which might be a trigger if you struggle with mental health issues. These w/o were so beautiful in the end and worth the struggle to get there, I think!

I have mixed feelings about this book. First of all I only sort of vaguely remebered the other books in this series. That being said i felt familiar with the "world" of this book. I actually found this book rather emotional throughout (and this is a huge positive) but I can't say I really warmed to either main character, there was just something frustrating about their reltionship as a whole; it was both SO fast and SO endlessly slow. I honestly found the end a drag. It was honestly such a mixed bag that i'm not sure how to feel but I do know I probably wont remember this book in a few days.

Each of these books are so different and some of the lives so complicated yet they all have each other and the amazing family that Kat and Tony created at Irons and Works. This was another heart wrenching story for Ryan and his sweet daughter Violet who has has so many health issues and will always be needing help and caring leaving Ryan without a chance at love. Micah has his own demons but together they can work if they just try and stop hiding behind their fears and doubts. I was pulling for them the whole time. Really enjoyed this and seeing many characters from previous books in the series.

MM, Contemporary Romance with angst and insta attraction. Easy to read and a page-turner, this book is an emotional whirlwind. Ryan and Micah have so much to cope with in their lives and they are both scared of opening themselves up for more hurt. Great story covering some very real and sensitive issues, but done so extremely well. Ideally needs to be read in series order, thoroughly enjoyed reading. Guaranteed HEA.

I really enjoyed this book for what it was, but I have been disappointed in contemporary romance as a genre for failing to acknowledge and incorporate the pandemic (when, for example, condoms are always seamlessly incorporated - why can't people grab their wallet, keys, and mask when heading out the door?). I am specifically disappointed in this series and this book because accomodations for disability are otherwise so central. And Violet would be so vulnerable to COVID - it would really humanize the cost of failing to wear masks, upgrade ventilation, get vaccinated, etc. (Like imagine Mat organizing a pop up vaccination clinic for regular customers? Everyone at Irons and Works wearing N95s all the time once they became available for non-healthcare workers? Building Corsi-Rosenthal boxes?) And if Irons and Works made it permanent, it would also protect Violet and other vulnerable people from the other viruses and bacteria as well. It seems like an opportunity lost to show what disabled solidarity looks like after 2020.

Loved this new book, feels like the seventh chapter of this wonderful town,it felt like coming back to a favorite vacation place.The amazing stories of the friends and lovers you've come to love and havemissed so very much. Meeting Ryan and Micah who are new to Fairfield and I'm glad EMhas shared their story with us. So worth the waitThanks for the bonuses too!!