Book Review: Finding Peace by T.A. Chase

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Finding Peace
Author: T.A. Chase
Series: Nowhere Diner #2
Heroes: Chad & Zane
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 41,000 words
Publisher: Amber Allure
Release Date: March 24, 2014
Available at: Amber Allure, All Romance eBooks & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Chad Mitchell is on a downward spiral and he’s not sure how to stop it. Between the flashbacks of fighting in Afghanistan and the alcohol, he feels like he’s losing his mind. And if he’s not careful, he knows he might lose more than that. Working at Cookie’s Diner is a chance at working through his problems, yet his demons are stronger than he thinks.

Sergeant Zane Smithson comes to the diner in the middle of nowhere to check up on Chad. The men had served together in Afghanistan, and even back then, Zane had been interested in Chad, who had served under him. But when Zane got home, he had his own demons to beat before he could help his troubled comrade. Now, once Zane finds Chad, he sees there is more to the man’s problems than just flashbacks of war.

When a confrontation between them leads Chad to the depths of a bottle, Zane realizes they both need help to find peace in their lives…

Review:

I’ve been waiting for this book for FIVE YEARS! Especially since I loved Tim and Bernie’s story so much!

In this one, we get to explore more of Chad, the emotionally broken cook/dishwasher. With his drinking problem and PTSD, he’s a loose cannon that is on the edge of the deep end. With his latest emergence from a flashback, he sees his ex-Sergeant, Zane Smithson, there to help him. Unfortunately for Chad, Zane’s there to see Chad gets some help to cope with his issues. Far from what Chad wants to do, it takes the love and support from his close friends and the possibility of a relationship with Zane to make him finally get the help he needs. But his alcoholism stems from more than just the war and Chad’s not ready to tell anyone what happened to him as a kid. Can Zane finally get Chad to realize he’s more than just the past or will Chad let the only good thing that’s happened to him in years pass him by?

This was an emotionally raw type of story that deals with a lot of recovery. While Chad is the one with the biggest problem right now being an alcoholic and having PTSD, Zane also has his own issues with being a recovering drug addict and his own form of PTSD, although he’s, more or less, stable with both issues. Plus, Zane has a nasty bout of nerve damage that makes his pain almost constant. The two together are a hot mess but I won’t deny that their connection made it easier for them to work through Chad’s problems. At first, they agree to be just friends until Chad gets help but then they slowly build a relationship that is sweet but also gives them the rock they need to support each other. I loved them together and I loved that Zane was so supportive and encouraging. He never once judged Chad for what he’s become or what he’s done and I adored that, even when Chad was stubborn and wouldn’t listen to reason.

While I adored these two, I did have a few niggles. Mainly, I felt like Chad was giving up one crutch to replace it with another – Zane. I loved that Chad got treatment and I loved that he did so well in his recovery but I can’t help but wonder if he’ll fall off the wagon if he got into a fight with Zane or any insecurities popped up between them. More than that, it was hard for me to understand how what happened in Chad’s past affected him so much that he started drinking so young, especially since he himself claimed it wasn’t traumatic.

All in all, this was still a good book for being a long awaited sequel. I loved the connection between Chad and Zane and I adored the fact we got to see Chad in rehab. I also liked being able to see more of the gang at Cookie’s Diner. I really hope we don’t have to wait long for the next book because I don’t know if I can wait another few years for either Cookie or Quinn’s stories!

Overall Impression: I liked it!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*