Title: The Parable of the Mustard Seed by Lisa Henry
Publisher: Lisa Henry
Genre: Contemporary, Gay, Romance
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by the Author
Summary:
The past never stays buried forever.
John Faimu is an Australian-Samoan police officer who deals with hurt kids every day. He loves what he does, but he’s tired of the grind of shift work, and of trying to find a balance between his job, his family, and the young man who straddles the increasingly blurry line between both.
Caleb Fletcher was the teenager John saved from a cult eight long years ago, and he’s now the young man John wants in ways that neither of them should risk.
Eight years after his rescue, Caleb is still struggling with PTSD and self-harm. John has always been his rock, but now Caleb wants more. Can he convince John to cross a line and love him the way they both crave? And when the monsters from Caleb’s past come back seeking to silence him for good, will John’s love be enough to save him?
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is an mm gay romance featuring hurt/comfort, first times, found family, and angst with a happy ending.
Review:
The Parable of the Mustard Seed by Lisa Henry is a poignant romance that is quite heartwarming.
Senior Constable John Faimu is struggling to balance his family life and his career. He works long hours and rotating shifts so he has little time left over to support his family as they regain their footing after suffering a loss. John is also committed to maintaining his friendship with Caleb Fletcher, the now twenty-three old man whom he saved from a cult eight years ago. John is an integral part of Caleb and his father Darren’s lives as Caleb continues to battle the mental health issues he suffers from due to his many years with the cult. John’s feelings for Caleb run much deeper than friendship, but he has no plans to act on them. Will Caleb change his mind when he finds the courage to confess his feelings for John?
John fears for Caleb’s mental health after he learns disturbing information about some of the former cult members. Caleb has been in and out of mental health facilities over the years and he remains emotionally fragile. Despite Caleb’s many ups and downs over the years, John has also been there for him and Darren.
Caleb is finally ready to assert some independence and act on his desire for a relationship. John overcomes his reluctance to act on his love for Caleb but he still harbors misgivings about the change in their status quo. What impact will a shocking discovery have on Caleb and his budding romance with John?
The Parable of the Mustard Seed is a tender gay romance with a wonderfully diverse cast of multi-dimensional and appealing characters and captivating storyline. Lisa Henry deftly handles Caleb’s mental health issues with a great deal of sensitivity. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this heartfelt romance.
