When Dr. Nathan Nate Morris moves to Reed, Illinois from Atlanta, Georgia to open a medical practice with his best friend, Amy Vaughn, he's looking forward to putting the past--and his homophobic family--behind him. Considering Reed's reputation as a gay-friendly town, starting over should be a cinch. But when Nate is attacked outside his office late one night in an apparent gay bashing, he starts to wonder if maybe the good folks of Reed aren't as accepting as he thought. Sheriff Brandon Nash answers the call to a supposed gay bashing with feelings of skepticism. As an openly gay man holding an elected position, Brandon finds it hard to believe that Nate's attack is really a hate crime. Brandon may not know the reasons behind the attack, but as he looks into Nate's frightened eyes, there's one thing he's absolutely certain of: he'll do whatever it takes to keep Nate safe or die trying. Forging a relationship isn't easy under the best of circumstances, and as Nate's assailant steps up his efforts, Nate and Brandon's budding romance is put to the test. Add to that the sudden appearance of Seth, the brother who disowned Nate years ago, and Nate's nerves are stretched to the breaking point. When a series of arsons begins, and Brandon expresses the belief that the burnings are a ploy to flush him out, Nate decides to leave Reed behind, believing everyone else will be safe once he's gone. Brandon is all set to do whatever he can to make Nate stay, but when the brakes on Nate's car are tampered with, the decision is nearly taken out of both their hands. This book is definitely one that you can't put down until the very end because of the many twists and turns. Purchase this book to findout the mystery surrounding Nate's attack, and if Nate and Brandon's relationship can survive the stress and strain of their real life professions.