Against Reason — Scarlet Blackwell

He lost his heart once. Is it too damaged for love to find it again?

In the five years since the love of his life abandoned him at the altar, Jake Morgan hasn't left his house. The locals in this small, English town have dubbed him “Mr. Havisham”, but he's too preoccupied wrestling his demons to care about Dickensian comparisons.

Forced to admit he's losing the battle to keep up his large estate alone, he reluctantly places an advert for help. The striking young man who answers his call shakes him to the core.

When Darius answers the ad for the position at the mysterious mansion, the bitter, lonely master of the house tugs at his heartstrings. Setting aside his own run of bad luck, Darius batters at Jake's emotional walls with kindness and determination that defy all attempts to drive him away.

Just as tendrils of new love begin to intertwine, though, a terrible voice from the past intrudes. And threatens to drive Jake back into the shadows where Darius can never reach him.

Warning: “Great expectations” of steamy man-on-man action, mouldering wedding cake, and heartwarming romance.