Books & Spoons Review for BROTHERS IN BLUE: MATT by Jeanne St. James

11/5/2017

Meet the men of Manning Grove, three small-town cops and brothers, who meet the women who will change the rest of their lives. This is Matt’s story…

As a former Marine, Matt Bryson has dealt with PTSD ever since coming home from the Middle East. He finds himself fortunate to be able to return to his job as a cop at the local police department with his brothers Max and Marc.

Dr. Carly Stephens works hard as an obstetrician at the local hospital, struggling to pay off her medical school loans, financially support her elderly parents, and save money to adopt a baby. Unable to have children, she still longs for one of her very own.

Instantly attracted to the Dictator Doctor, Matt finds Carly easily brings him to his knees both emotionally and physically. What starts out only as a convenient sexual relationship turns into a whole lot more when dealing with their pasts and their future. Especially since Matt doesn’t ever want children.

Matt and Carly find themselves on a passionate and emotional journey that can either bring them together or rip them apart.

Note: This book can be read as a stand-alone and has an HEA ending. Due to the sensual and explicit sexual nature of the story, it is intended only for readers 18+. Trigger warning: this book includes a main character who is dealing with PTSD.

This was a new author to me, and I jumped into the last book in the series, but that didn't take away anything from the enjoyment of the story, it truly is a standalone novel.
I enjoyed Matt and Carly together. They connected immediately, the chemistry was hot, and Carly seemed to understand the needs, fears, and desires Matt had and suffered from because of the PSTD.
Matt Bryson was lost inside his head with the memories from the war. His mind was playing tricks and the symptoms were getting worse. I liked him as a character, his humbleness, his desire to help and serve, his need to do the right thing, I could not help but admire him. Matt living through the episodes with the PSTD were realistic, intense, and scary. The emotions were high, and my heart was breaking for him and his pain.
Dr. Carly Stephens was also admirable character. She works hard, trying to help her parents, and she only hopes for one thing: to be a mom one day. She had deep wounds in her soul, brokenness, not even time could heal.
The Bryson family is abrasive and crazy when dealing with each other. At first, it was humorous, but it got old rather fast. The language in the story is rough and even though there is obvious bond and caring between the family members, the way they show it and communicate is scratchy. But that was obviously done on purpose, and maybe just the style the author was aiming for, as the writing was done with the same tone.
Despite the focus on the physical relationship between Matt and Carly, the raw emotions between them, the understanding of each other's wounds and hurt, the bond between them was touching and poignant, winning my heart.
I was offered the book to read as a contemporary romance story, but I would categorize this as erotica. The rather easy solutions to the devastating problems and pain the protagonist carry indicate that the physical aspects of the relationship were in the spotlight.
Undeterred by the biting and raw writing style, this story had a potential to be much more, if not some too easy solutions and choices with the development of the relationship between Matt and Carly.
A great story with deep emotions, an abundance of passion, and scorching heat.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side