He Owns My Heart by Evie Drae – a Review

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Description:
Only true love can free a captive heart.

Landon Jenks, retired four-time Golden Glove-winning shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, is lonely, heartbroken, and in need of simple human contact. Trapped in the fine print of an ironclad contract forbidding him from revealing his single status until the season finale of his reality show airs, he calls an elite male escort service catering to the rich and desperate.

Accustomed to servicing his often less than savory clients at more upscale locales, twenty-six-year-old Toby Carmichael is surprised when his handler sends him to a run-down motel off I-55. But “surprise” doesn’t come close to describing the shock that rocks his system when a delightful stuttering mess covered in tattoos and nearly ten years his senior stumbles into the room—and right into his heart.

For the first time since Toby was forced into the life of prostitution, a kiss sparks a desire that has nothing to do with money and everything to do with genuine chemistry and the faintest beginnings of something so much more. But Toby’s dark past and troubled present make it impossible to see a future with Landon. When the truth comes to light, a horrified and helpless Landon is determined to save Toby at all costs.

Only true love can free a captive heart.

Content Warnings: Discussion of childhood verbal abuse by an adult survivor, homophobia from a close family member, discussion of previous self-harm/cutting behaviors by an adult survivor, prostitution with dubious consent (all interactions between the main characters have full consent and there are no on-page depictions of dub-con situations), consensual and experimental Domination/submission play between mostly-novice characters, mild violence between a main character and antagonist, and human trafficking associated with illegal drugs (nothing explicit on-page, only discussions related to and psychological/mental ramifications of addressed in moderate detail).

Review: 

He Owns My Heart by Evie Drae is a new M/M series, Owned Heart, Body & Soul. Landon is lonely, he’s usually only wanted for his name and not his company. Having played baseball to a professional level, he’s now a reality star and owner of a custom made bike shop. He’s hiding from life, his last relationship was a publicity stunt orchestrated by his “co-star” to “come out” (more ratings for the show) will he find no one to love him? In a sorry moment, Landon hires an escort. 

But meeting the vibrant young man makes Landon all to aware of his failings….

Tobias/Toby whore, prostitute, hooker, he’s heard them all. He’s sold himself to help his sister (she got caught up with drug dealers) his family are unaware of his predicament, but he’s told often by handler they are safe, for now! 

So an eight year contract had been drawn up, and Toby services the “clients” never off duty, nothing is too much trouble, He keeps reminding himself that’s it’s just three more years, then he’s free. But he’s not sure how much more he can take, he’s slowly losing himself, and it’s killing him inside!!

I liked this story. Yes the usual “pretty woman” scenario, wealthy attractive single man meets prostitute (blah blah blah). But unlike “pretty woman” we have a M/M scenario. The story for me had a real depth (I usually read paranormal romance if m/m involved) but the backstory had me intrigued. And the story had me hooked from almost the first page. 

It’s a Romeo and Juliette type story, a forbidden love, a love that can go nowhere, a love doomed! A week stolen just for themselves. But will it make it harder when Landon has to let Toby go? 

There are a lot of triggers on this book (it does carry a warning label) there is a lot of baggage that both men carry. Abuse, self harm, homophobia and many more. The BDSM wasn’t the usual angry spanky tie me up and whip me scenes. It was about trusting someone to know your limits and to take care of you, putting your wants and needs above their own. 

Yes there is a fair amount of sex in this book, but considering they think they’ve only got a week together, I sort of understand it, and luckily enough it doesn’t go on and on and on and on!! The couples moments had me sighing, the ordinary stolen moments that Landon and Toby were storing up to take out when they were alone were touching. 

Each in love, but too scared to voice it. And if they did, what could they do about it? 

So can Landon free Toby? How can he, when the men controlling Toby hold all the cards? And it had me guessing right up until the last few pages (I thought it would end of a cliffhanger) 

Loved Steffon (Landon BFF) he was a riot! Camp when needed, light relief when things got too heavy, confidant and agony aunt. Every time he opened his mouth I chuckled, that guy had no filter. 

I’m so hoping we get another book. I’d like Steffon to have a book. 

Highly recommend this book. Yes it’s a Pretty Woman story, but my god it’s a good one. 

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy owned