Review: Inertia by Amelia C. Gormley

Title: Inertia by Amelia C. Gormley
Impulse Series Book One
Publisher: Amelia C. Gormley
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Erotic, Romance
Word Count: 48,800
Book Rating: B

Review Copy Obtained from Author

Summary:

An Object At Rest

Quiet, down-to-earth Detroit handyman Derrick Chance has had enough loss for a lifetime and he has no intention of ever risking his heart again. Living alone in the old house his grandparents left him, with only his dog and a few close friends for companionship, he has written off the possibility of romance or even sex. He refuses to consider himself lonely, or wonder what he might be missing. His life is organized, predictable, and, best of all, risk-free.

Until the day he installs shelves for accountant Gavin Hayes. With his contradictory combination of confidence and self-doubt, Gavin draws Derrick in with an intensity he’s never known. As undeniable as gravity, Derrick finds himself falling for Gavin in defiance of all his usual slow and methodical ways. But Gavin carries wounds of his own. Fresh from an emotionally abusive relationship that ended with a dangerous betrayal, his future is far from certain. Can Derrick choose passion over safety, and let himself believe that Gavin is worth the risk?

The Review:

Inertia by Amelia C. Gormley is a sweet romance that slowly builds between two men who are afraid to risk their hearts.

Derrick Chance leads a lonely an solitary existence. He has a few close friends but he does not date nor does he indulge in casual hook ups. Gavin Hayes has just ended an abusive year long relationship and he is not ready for a new relationship. But when the two men meet, their attraction to one another proves impossible to resist. When an explosive secret is revealed, will Gavin and Derrick give their fledgling relationship a chance?

Since Inertia is told from Derrick’s perspective, we are privy to all his doubts and insecurities and we know exactly what caused him to shut down emotionally. He is the epitome of the strong silent type. He carefully weighs his options and he rarely makes impulsive decisions. While Derrick has long been content with the safe life he has created for himself, recent discussions leave him wondering whether he is truly happy or merely content. His attraction to Gavin proves to be the impetus Derrick needs to rethink his past decisions and consider making some changes in his life. But Gavin is giving off mixed signals, and along with Derrick’s inexperience, his tendency to overthink, well everything, leaves him questioning Gavin’s actions and motives.

In the beginning, Gavin is light-hearted, carefree and flirty. He does not hide his attraction to Derrick and he comes up with some pretty inventive ploys to see Derrick. On some of their subsequent meetings, though, Gavin’s playfulness is absent, leaving Derrick confused about the future of a relationship between them.

Of the two men, Gavin is more dominant but surprisingly, it is Derrick who finally makes the first move. They tread carefully around one another, and they back away from serious discussions. Just when things are heating up between them, Gavin makes a confession that stops them in their tracks and leads both men to some serious introspection as they try to decide the fate of their relationship.

Inertia one of those stories that is slow building, yet it is completely captivating. The pacing is unhurried and the plot unfolds at a realistic pace. The ending is more of a happy for now than happily ever after and I am looking forward to seeing where Amelia C. Gormley takes Derrick and Gavin in the Acceleration, the next book of the Impulse series.

Read my review of Acceleration HERE.