Blurb:

He’s a mysterious recluse with an unhealthy obsession with his therapist.
He doesn’t want help… He just wants him.

Love is for those who deserve it. I certainly don’t. The person I loved most in this world died in my arms decades ago and I am to blame. I’ll forever be tormented by what-ifs where I was Mom’s hero instead of this repulsive, mask-wearing beast I’ve ultimately become.

All that’s left of my heart is black smoke—suffocating and toxic. I’m nothing but a shadow of a man, locked in my dark fortress of a home, away from people and hidden in my carefully walled-up world.

My family is all I have to live for. Somehow, they look past the fact I survived when Mom didn’t. Like it’s not my fault. It’s also why I’ll protect them with every single fiber of my being.

Even from him.
Tate Prince has been paid by my father to infiltrate our family. Invited not just into our homes, but into our past, our heartaches, and even our minds. Dad thinks this young man—a therapist with a captivating grin—is the key to repairing all the damage we’ve sustained over the years. 

But I know better.
I can see through Tate’s friendly disposition and easygoing nature.
In his eyes are dark secrets that haunt him like ghosts from another life. He’s not as perfect as he seems. Underneath his mask of smiles are ugly truths I’m desperate to uncover.

And I will uncover them.
If that means keeping him under lock and key where I can watch his every move, I will.
It’s not captivity if he’s being paid, right?

However, when I start unraveling his life, I learn there’s a lot more to Tate than meets the eye. The more I discover, the more obsessed I become. My heart, the dusty, charred, still-smoking useless organ sparks to life making me come to a startling realization. I want him.

I’m not the only one who feels this way, though. Tate’s biggest secret is he already has a monster in his life. A terrible, spiteful monster—one who’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.

But I’m uglier, nastier, and a hell of a lot more vicious. I may have failed to save my mother, but I will not fail this time.
Tate is mine.

My 5* Review:

The Heart Of Smoke by K. Webster is book three in her fascinating Shameful Secrets series and my favourite so far. This time we have the mysterious reclusive brother Jude Park and Tatum Prince, the therapist employed to help him. It is a story about two guys who have had no control over what has happened in their lives and both are just trying to cope with the consequences. 

This can be read as a standalone as the author does explain the Park family dynamics and the complicated relationships, however, to appreciate the many issues involved I recommend reading the series in order. An emotional slow burn romance full of angst as two broken souls come together and heal each other in an absolutely delightful story. My heart went out to them as they battled their demons from the past to find peace in their future. 

Nathan Park hires Tate to be a private therapist for his entire family but his main task is to help get Jude out of his cave and back into society. Since the death of his mother he has been hiding away in his grandfather’s house. He went from a fun-loving footballer to ignoring everyone. He always wears a mask to hide the scars he received trying to rescue his mother from the fire and feels he should have died along with her. He is very intense and slightly paranoid. 

Tate is a kind and sweet guy who loves helping others. He is gay and arrives with his cat Funky, hoping this could be the fresh start he desperately wants and needs. He quickly finds out there is a lot of trauma to unlock amongst the family members and the hardest of all will be the imposing Jude. Tate endured a horrific childhood and is escaping an abusive boyfriend so he worries that by taking this job, he has just swapped one monster for another. He knows deep down he a good person and just wants to feel safe and loved. It is ironic that he has buried all his hurt deep inside even though it’s his job to get people to open up to him!! 

Jude doesn’t want fixing and is resistant to his dad’s meddling. He loves his family fiercely and will do anything to keep them safe. He doesn’t trust anyone and sees Tate as threat to all the family secrets. Jude is positive Tate afraid of someone or something so is determined to delve deeper into his life. As they get to know each other, Jude can’t understand the strong attraction he’s feeling towards Tate and is confused by his growing obsession with the enticing therapist because he has never desired a man before.

They both start to feel happy and have some beautiful and poignant moments together. They certainly bring the best out of each other as their relationship develops. Most of the time I just wanted to hug them and tell them it will be alright in the end. I loved how they learnt to trust and gave each other the courage to face their demons. Can Jude provide Tate with the unconditional love he has always wanted , make him feel safe and protected for the first time in his life?

This family are so entertaining with their complicated relationships.Tate’s sessions with them were revealing and fascinating especially when he put a different perspective on their issues. We also got more information about everyone and heard the other side to Nathan and Jamie’s story. Violet was amazing with her love for the boys. She knew from the start that Tate was going to be good for Jude and the whole family. I am looking forward to Dempsey’s book as he was really affected by events in this book and we learnt the woman he loves is older and off-limits! 

Absolutely fantastic twists at the end that I never saw coming. Incidents lead to some shocking revelations which affect the whole family but also a light bulb moment for Jude. K Webster has a knack for writing excellent MM stories and with this one she will pull every emotion out of you. Enjoy ‘the freak’ and his ‘sweet boy’ on their journey to find the love they both deserve.