One minute, I’m on patrol with my partner. The next, I’m waking up after being in a coma for weeks and my whole world has changed. On the bright side, my twin brother tells me he’s moving home after being gone for almost ten years, and I couldn’t be happier. Plus, I woke up. That’s definitely a positive. On the other hand, they don’t know if I’ll ever walk again, my brother’s dating my best friend, and I’m starting to obsess about my brother’s best friend … yeah, like that’s not a disaster waiting to happen. How’s my brother going to feel if I admit I’m bisexual after all these years? After watching him struggle alone? And am I really thinking about Gavin, the man I’ve resented for keeping my brother away all these years? But I can’t take my eyes off of him, especially when his brown eyes seem so sad and haunted.
Gavin~
Following my best friend to Baltimore was an easy decision since he’s the only family I have, and finding a physical therapist job was a bonus. But now I’m afraid of being a burden to him and his new boyfriend, so I’ve been keeping to myself. The loneliness is seeping back in, and the person that’s been helping is the last one I’d expect. Hendrix has always hated me, but the more I help him recover, the more of him shines through, and I begin seeing him in a different light. He’s always been my best friend’s grumpy, twin brother, but now he’s the straight guy I can’t stop thinking about, the one I can’t stop checking out, and the one I can’t have. Not that I even want anyone after everything—my baggage is too heavy for even me to deal with, let alone someone else… but that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming about him.
With Hendrix harboring family secrets, and Gavin’s painful past still bleeding like an open wound, can these two men find a way to help each other dig deeper? Or will they hide from their truths and forsake the potential staring them right in the face?
Digging Deeper is the second book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+.
Michele is married to an awesome guy that puts up with her and all the burnt dinners she makes—hey, sometimes characters are a bit distracting, and who doesn’t plot when they’re supposed to be cooking? They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with two little monsters, a three-legged princess, a four-legged goofball, and a cutie with giant ears (aka their two kids, their two cats, and their dog). She hopes to rescue another cat soon, and if her hubby wouldn’t kill her, she’d get more than one… and maybe a few more dogs as well.
She loves creating worlds filled with lots of love, chosen family, and of course, magic, but she also likes making the characters fight for that happy ending. She hopes to one day write all the stories in her head—even if there are too many to count!
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Not going to lie, I spent the first 10% of the book wanting to punch Hendrix in the face for being an ass. (I've felt with chronic illness, and you don't treat nurses and rehabilitative therapists like that. ) But he gets past it. The rest of the book is sweet and touching -- you just want to hug Gav so badly.
I'm looking forward to Aiden's book. Looks like he may be getting himself a foxy papi.
That said , "luscious white, billowy cheeks" is the most off-putting description of an ass I think I've ever read. I'm just picturing the poor man's ass flapping about like curtains. It's a testament to the author's storytelling that I was still entirely emotionally invested in the story, because that threw me off. 4/5
I don't want to complain and this wasn't really a bad book. It was an okay read for me and I had fun while it lasted, but honestly given the trope - wounded and paralyzed police officer being in PT with his brothers best friend - I must say that I am disappointed. This could have been much better, it was overly dramatic at times, while at the same time unconvincing about the falling in love part - apart from the fact that both main characters had incredibly great butts as we were told again and again, I am not really sure how they fell in love. While the title is "Digging Deeper" the story did exactly the opposite, staying at the surface at all times, it was a good story lacking character development. Overall an okay 3 star read for me.
GAHHHHHHH!! These two are KILLING me with this series. Holy crap I’m in book hangover mode right now. Shew. This one draws emotions from you and it doesn’t stop throughout the whole book. It hurts so bad but it’s a good hurt, because the book is just that good. Hendrix is reliving his life, day after day in nightmares. Since waking up from his coma, after being shot in the line of duty, each nightmare is riddled with different things that is haunting him. But what’s worse, is that he’s given himself a ‘death’ sentence. He’s convinced himself to give up instead of trying to get better. But even though no one is giving up on him, it’s killing them all to see what he’s going through daily. From his best friend and cop partner, Jameson, to his brother and Jameson’s life partner, Holden. Even newer friend, Aiden, is concerned. But it isn’t until, Holden’s best friend, Gavin, comes along that things start to change. Gavin not only believes Hendrix can walk again, but he’s determined to do all he can to push Hendrix in ways he never dreamed of. As it works, they grow closer. All of them. But secrets and the past have a way of being dragged back into the present and the all now have to deal with what has been haunting them all for so long. And in order for Hendrix and Gavin to have anything more, they really have to lay it all on the line or move on. You know, being a victim of a crime is hard on everybody. Especially when you have a close knit unit, like these guys do. Hendrix may have been the one actually shot, but they are all feeling the pain. The grief, the pain, the whys and what ifs. The guilt if one survives and the other may not. The guilt of being fully functional and the other not. It’s all a downhill spiral. But in times of things like this happening, as hard as it may be, communication and complete honesty is what’s important. Even if it’s hard to hear. Even if it makes you angry as can be and you just want to beat someone or something. All of these men needed to talk things out. In one form or another. Hendrix finally had to accept that he’d given up and needed a smack of reality in the face. And Gavin was more than happy to give it to him. Not that he’s sadistic or anything, but because Hendrix needed someone not to coddle him and force him to see that his life wasn’t over. He just had to try. But it was more than that. All these guys with the secrets….it was insane. And as you read their stories, you understand why they have them and why they are hard to let go. Because it makes you vulnerable in ways you don’t want to be. It was heartbreaking to see what all they had to go through. I’m telling you, you will need tissues. But one thing I love more than anything about this book. Even though it’s an angsty story and one to break your heart, it’s also a story of hope, love, forgiveness and family. In the true sense. It’s a story of never giving up. Of keeping on when you just want to throw in the towel. And at the end of the day, that’s the most important lessons of them all. This series and this story, if you haven’t read them, you’re missing out on some amazing words. And I am glad I’ve gotten to be a part of this world.
This is the second book in the Interlocking Fragments II series. It can read as a standalone but more enjoyable if you read Heart Strain. This story is about Hendrix trying to get his life back together after being shot in the line of duty. He's becoming a mean and angry person until Gavin, his brother's best friend, becomes his physical therapist and calls him out his BS attitude. As Gavin helps Hendrix heal his body, Hendrix helps Gavin heal his pain and broken heart. The love and support they find in each other heals them to find true happiness. I'm so hooked on this series. Now anxiously waiting to read about Aiden (Hendrix's cop friend) and Delaney (just released from prison and father of Hendrix's cop partner)
I think I liked it a bit more than the first book .... although Hendrix is a brat at the beginning, but Gavin is a real sweetheart and is good for him.
“Everybody knows how fallible memory can sometimes be. You remember certain fragments precisely, but as soon as you try to join the fragments together, for a story, there is a certain - not falsification, but a shifting.” ~ Günter Grass
‘Digging Deeper’ (Interlocking Fragments II) by Michele Notaro and Sammi Cee, starts where the first story in the series ends. After being in a coma for weeks, Hendrix is grateful that he is alive, but is depressed and resentful that his lifelong dream of being in law enforcement seems to be gone. He can’t imagine doing anything else; the thought of having to do so fills him with a sense of hopelessness.
Hendrix is not in a good place. Physically, he is in pain and angry about what he has lost. This makes it difficult for those who are supposed to be caring for him to do so. He won’t even try to get better. Hendrix is relieved to be reunited with his brother, Holden, but is still getting used to his partner and his twin brother are in a relationship. Not that he is not happy for them, he is, but it’s yet another big life change during an already tumultuous time.
Gavin is relieved to be near Holden, but doesn’t want to cause problems with him and his new boyfriend, Jamison. They try to include him in their lives, but he’s so afraid of coming between them, even inadvertently, that he tries extra hard to keep from displaying the affection that he and Holden usually express which distresses Holden to no end. Since Gavin seems to want his own space, Holden suggests that he live at Hendrix’s place. Besides, Hendrix won’t be home for a long time; there’s no need for it to stay empty. Reluctantly, Holden agrees, stating that as soon as Hendrix can come home, he will move out. He knows that Hendrix resents his relationship with Holden; he is sure that the last thing Hendrix would want is to have Gavin living in the same place.
Hendrix is not thrilled that Gavin is going to be working with him as his physical therapist. In fact, he is downright difficult about it. He tries his best to push Gavin away. As time goes on, Gavin’s persistence pays off. Bit by bit, Hendrix opens up to him. It seems that Gavin has found a way to get to Hendrix and help him overcome his stubbornness. Hendrix begins to see that Gavin is not the threat that he has always seen him as, as far as Holden goes. Working so closely helps Hendrix be less depressed and be able to look toward the future, for that matter, even consider that he has a future. Gavin finds ways to crack open Hendrix’s shell. In the process, Hendrix allows himself to feel things he has kept hidden for a long time; this allows him to consider his growing feelings for Gavin.
This, the second story in the series, it a great follow-up to the first. It is full of secrets, angst, struggle, and anger; it is also about forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation. Thanks, Michelle and Sammi, for giving Hendrix and Gavin their happy ending.
3.3 I liked this book, the premise of it is one of my favorite stories to read. That said the closeness between Gavin and Drix's brother was a bit much for me. The twins having relationships with each other's best friend was weird and hard to keep track of sometimes add in the friends acting like more than that sometimes it was just too much.
Ehhh, not feeling the side characters and the situation. Maybe H will tell his twin how he really feels? I don’t know but so far it’s an all about what my twin likes and feels even though I’m the one stuck. I was hoping H would tell Holden about himself but it ended up being the other way so DNF 50%
Yay, we’re back and now it’s Drix and Gavin! I feel for Drix, I do but I also want smack him on the head for his stubbornness. Gavin though holds the key to getting through to him. I think he may have a touch of magic. “I have faith in you.” I love, love how Gavin encourages, pushes and stands up for Drix. I think Gavin’s a bit evil with his hide-and-seek game but I imagine he’s hard to resist. I adore these two but Claudia is my hero.
Drix and Hold’s heart-to-heart made me teary and happy at the same time. I’m so happy they finally talked about everything. “Your outer shell attracted me, but your inner beauty surpassed it, and that’s what made me face myself, who I am, and who I want to be.” Oh these words and these guys. Gavin and Drix broke my heart, especially when I learned about Gavin’s past. They also brought so much sunshine into my life with their love, their silliness and with the friendship bonds that exist in this series. I can’t wait for Aiden’s story. A moving and beautiful story of hope, love and triumph.
Hendrix is slowly recovering from being shot while rebuilding his fragmented relationship with his twin, Holden. Holden's best friend Gavin is adrift without him, slowly sinking into despair. He actually follows him back to Baltimore where he luckily scores a great job as a physical therapist, Hendrix's to be exact. That's a problem because Hendrix resents Gavin for stealing him, in his opinion. Gavin has had a rough life and it's left indelible marks on his soul, leaving him emotionally scarred. Hendrix is having a rough time with his recovery, not only physically but emotionally because suddenly he's attracted to Gavin who's not letting get away with just phoning it in with regards to his recovery, oh and did I mention he's never admitted he's bisexual to anyone? Beautifully flawed men who eventually helped each other heal to overcome the odds and gain a much deserved second chance at getting it right.
Oh so many levels of emotion and feelings to unpack in this story. I don't know where to start. From a near fatal shooting, comes love and acceptance. Gavin and Hendrix were beautiful together once Hendrix finally admitted to himself that it was ok to be with his brothers best friend. And Gavin, such a tragic past. I'm so happy that worked it out. The relationships between all the characters are complex and there were a lot of deep and meaningful scenes to repair past hurts. Brilliantly written.
Digging deeper can be read as a standalone but I loved it all the more for reading Heart Strain first (So if you haven't read that yet, please do it's great!) I loved Hendrix and Gavin, individually they showed such strength moving forwards after life changing events, but together they helped the other to heal. Nothing felt rushed in this book, it flowed perfectly for me and I really cared about what happened to them. I can't wait to read the next book.
They didn't just call in love right away, it was gradual. I really liked that! Drix and Gavin weren't friends, Drix is Gavin's best friends twin brother. When Drix wakes up in from a coma and can't walk Gavin takes on the job to help being a physical therapist. Slowly they develop a trust, then friendship and respect. From there you can tell their adoration and love grow.
This was an emotional story. Between Hendrix learning to walk and finding a way to love a man he was always jealous of because Gavin was his twin brother best friend. Gavin was a PT therapist and fall in love with the man that was not only his patient and his best friend town brother. Gavin has his own baggage that he needs to work out. Wonderful reading and can't wait for the next book in this series.
Hendrix and Gavin's story is heartbreaking and triumphant. They go through so much to get their HEA and I felt all the feels.
I wanted to smack Hendrix so many times in the beginning! Gavin has the patience of a saint and was the perfect PT to get Hendrix motivated.
Gavin's backstory wrecked me. Omg! I wanted to shower him with all the love. I'm glad he had Hendrix there to help him heal. I definitely recommend this story.
Since Gavin and Drix were introduced I needed their HEA. I loved Drix and his grumpiness. Gavin was so broken… but there were times that I wanted him to stand on his own. There were times that I wish were just mentions and there were some things that were kind of glossed over that should’ve been explained. All in all I loved it. I’m anxious to read Aiden’s book. I’m thinking he’s going to be my favorite.
Grumpy, grumpy Drix. While I want to say he drove me crazy at first with his attitude, I could totally understand why he was feeling the way he was, and I loved how Gavin was able to get through to him. This was a great addition to the series.
It says this is a standalone novel, but I really recommend reading this as a series and in order. There is an overall thread of a story that is woven throughout the four books, and it is wonderful.
This was an very enjoyable read, involving: jealousy, anger, loneliness, disability, love and family. To go through so much, to finally find what was desperately missing and needed; the feeling of love and a family. I find this book to be very interesting enjoyable. I'm ready for the next book in the series.
I’m a sucker for sweet, fluffy romance with two broken characters. As much as I enjoyed book 1this one was even better. Drix and Gav make such an incredible couple. It took a lot of time and hard work for them to make it to HEA but they persevered and overcame the odds. A truly epic love story.
This series just keeps getting better with every new story! Both Gavin and Hendrix were broken men who were able to connect and heal through friendship and eventually love. This was a slow burn, brother's best friend romance that pulled out all of the emotions. This is such an amazing series!
Hendrix and Gavin are the focus of this one, where he is able with hard work to overcome his challenges that started in book one. Total love fest kind of story-enjoyed it.
This series is good. The characters are very like-able and it’s nice how the next book follows on from the first and keeps on with the original characters story as well. Will definitely read more in this series.
Gavin finally got the pieces of his heart put back together by the grumpy, sexy Hendrix!! Loved it! Hendrix found the will to carry on with his life, with the love of Gavin. Can't wait to read Aiden's story!!
Drix and Gavin are beyond perfect for each other! Drix is being so stubborn and gavin is the perfect person to push him when he needs to he pushed no matter how stubborn he is! I loved watching their relationship develope and seeing all four of them grow as a family together! My heart broke from gavin and Holden when gavin told drix about his first love Taylor, they both lost someone important to them! I didn't want to put it down from the minute I picked it up! So good! Looking forward to Aiden and Delaney next! ❤😀
I really love this series lots of love steamy scenes low angst and a cast of friends and family who love and care for each other can’t wait to finish the whole series well done
Although I’ve read that these can be read as stand alone I really do think they should be read in order and I really enjoyed this continuing story arc and look forward to reading the next