ARC Review: Say It Right by AM Arthur

Book Title: Say It Right

Author: A. M. Arthur
Series: All Saints #2 (Standalone)
Release Date: September 12th, 2016
Genres: M/M Romance, Contemporary

After his parents kicked him out for being gay, Marc Villegas lived on the streets before getting a second chance. Now he's giving back by working at a shelter for LGBT teenagers—because helping fight their demons keeps his own at bay. Including his infatuation with the former best friend he's sure is straight.

Anthony Romano hasn't seen Marc since Marc left home eight years ago. In his confidant's absence, Anthony turned to heroin. Now at rock bottom, he has an offer from Marc to help him get clean. Detox is hard and ugly, but not as hard as admitting the truth: he's in love with Marc. Always has been.

Marc swore he'd never date an addict, but he never dreamed the one in question would be the man he's always wanted to be with. As the two explore their feelings for each other, Marc faces a difficult choice. Say yes, and it could cost him his sobriety; say no, and it could cost him his heart.

Say It Right is the second book in the All Saints series and each can be read as a standalone. All Saints is a homeless homeless shelter for LGBT teens and Marc is one of the founders of this inner city non-profit. A homeless teen himself years ago, he knows what it's like to be turned away from his family, society, because of his sexual orientation. When a knock comes on his door and he's confronted with a face from that past 8 years ago, he's forced to decide whether to take in his old high school love friend or turn him away for fear of falling back into his old ways.

It's been a long eight years since Marc left Antonio's life back in high school. Homeless and addicted to heroin, Antonio thinks he's hallucinating when his sister and Marc pick him up off that abandoned gas station floor. Can he clean up his act for a second chance with his game changer, Marc?

I've read a fair amount of MM books from AM Arthur - always promising readers both angsty plot and steamy romance. This book, albeit on the surface was a great second chance romance, I felt it a bit long-winded and monotonous. I think cutting the length by 25% would've actually given readers a bigger 1-2 punch but long-drawn details of secondary characters and such tended to muddle the waters and lesson the emotional connection for me. I still enjoyed it, however, it's not my favorite book from this author.

AM Arthur delves quite deeply in the subject of drug addiction in this love story. Not only for the addict, but for the people who love them. The mistrust and day to day struggles for all involved to stay true to the commitment to not use drugs and to rebuild trust in the user. It's not sugar coated here and AM Arthur did a nice job with the realistic nature of that daily struggle. We also get quite a few glimpses of previous heroes within her past books.

I look forward to more within the All Saints series.

Advanced copy received by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.