Red-Haired Ash Reads

When Derek Osbourne is trapped in an ATM vestibule during a storm it triggers a major panic attack. Lucky for him, a ridiculously hot Deaf florist helps him calm down and keeps him distracted. 

Derek and Basil have a slow paced relationship filled with a lot of trauma and fears. They both are struggling to overcome their past abuses, so their relationship was not a fast one. This book deals with a lot of traumas, especially for Derek, who is dealing with a lot of PTSD from his abusive father. Basil has fears from his previous relationship that hold him back. While I really liked these two and their relationship, I do feel that we only get the very beginning of their relationship because it takes so long for them to get together. 

I really loved the theme of found family in this book. Everyone at Iron and Works was like one big family and they took care of each other. I especially love that they all would help babysit the kids and learn sign language for their bosses deaf daughter. Overall, this was a good slow romance and a good start to a series. I am interested in reading the next one and seeing how Sam’s custody battle goes. 

Trigger Warnings: (There is a TW page at the beginning of the book that goes into more depth)

• PTSD and panic attacks
• End-of-life care for an abusive elderly parent
• Death of parents, referenced and on page
• References to child abuse and homelessness
• Oppression and stereotyping of Deaf and disabled people
• Ablest language
• Reference to possible suicide of a parent

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