DBML: Semper Fi by Keira Andrews

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from GR:
As Marines, Cal and Jim depended on each other to survive bloodshed and despair in the Pacific. Relieved to put the horrors of war behind him, Jim went home to his apple orchard and a quiet life with his wife and children. Knowing Jim could never return his forbidden feelings, Cal hoped time and an ocean between them would dull the yearning for his best friend.

But when Jim’s wife dies, Cal returns to help. He doesn’t know a thing about apple farming—or children—but he’s determined to be there for Jim, even as the painful torch he carries blazes back to life. Jim is grateful for his friend’s support as he struggles with buried emotions and dark wartime memories. Then Jim begins to see Cal in a new light, and their relationship deepens in ways neither expected. Can they build a life together as a family and find happiness in a world that would condemn them?

[DBML Event: I received a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review]

Year 1942. Cal and Jim are marines and since they met they were pretty much inseparable. Cal is gay and knows it. Jim is married and doesn't even bring into question his sexuality. They are from very different backgrounds and even temperamentally they couldn't be more different; and yet they get each other like no one else ever did..

Reading about Cal and Jim is a struggle - it's both sad and frustrating at times - but as a reader you get to experience the same struggle they had to overcome to be finally together! Cal's pov was my favorite since I really took a liking to him; but it was also the saddest since, while he knew his feelings very well, he had to hide them away all the time. After the war, Cal forced himself to stay as far as possible from the person he loved in fear giving away what he felt for him. Only when he felt Jim needed him, Cal came back and even then - even when Jim finally get it - he had to hide and pretend and lie...I really don't want to be in his shoes!

As you may have noticed, Semper Fi is not a light romance but that is exactly the reason why Cal & Jim story is so captivating!
I strongly recommend this book even to those, like me, that don't often read historical romance since it would be a pity to let it slip away for that.
At last I'd like to thank the author for the chance she gave me to read her book for free, I hope she appreciates my review.