Finding the Words
M/M Contemporary Romance BUY A COPY TODAY: Ryan Phillips, a speech and language pathologist in the physical rehabilitation unit of a major university hospital, has recently ended a relationship due to his partner's infidelity. He is called in to treat a patient who is suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In the course of his treatments he begins to have feelings for the man. But is he ready to be healed, and will the patient heal enough to be able to return the love that appears to be growing between them? | 
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Excerpt
Ryan tried once more to formulate a plan for letting Andre know they played for the same team. He wondered, though, what Andre’s reaction would be.
I don’t know what kind of man he’s attracted to. Maybe if I come out to him he wouldn’t be interested at all. Well, so what. I’ve been turned down for a hook-up before. I survived.
The word hook-up seemed to leap out at him. Then, with insight that sometimes comes out of the blue, Ryan realized why he was so reticent to come out to Andre. It had more to do with his growing affection for the man than anything else. If he let Andre know he was gay there could be certain expectations on Andre’s part. Especially since Andre was new to this. Ryan now realized he couldn’t just have casual sex with him. If he was to have sex with him, it would be because he had deeper feelings. It would be because he was willing to let a relationship grow and establish itself. And he knew, right at that moment, he was still too afraid; afraid of repeating the hurts of the past.
No, it would be easier and better for Andre, who was still a beginner in the game of man to man love, if he didn’t know Ryan shared his orientation. That way, if Ryan found he couldn’t offer this wonderful man more than a quick tryst in bed, he couldn’t be, or wouldn’t be, in a position to hurt him. And he knew hurting him in any way was not going to be an option.
With that understanding, Ryan drifted off into a restless sleep.
Reviews
Blondie at Rainbow Reviews said:5 stars--I could really picture Andre in my mind...I could hear what he sounded like. As with Terry's other books that I have read, this one is very good. Kudos on this awesome book.
Kassa on Live Journal said:Focusing on older men and realistic problems gave a very authentic feel to this story.
Both Andre and Ryan are hesitant and almost shy to admit their growing feelings, which also lends a very honest voice to the prose and story.
...definitely a solidly written and lovely, honest tale about realistic men finding love. I can easily recommend this story.
BD Whitney at Book Wenches said:4--Some of André’s word errors are very amusing, but even as we are chuckling at the mix-ups, we are rooting for the man to recover.
Mr. O’Reilly has approached his subject matter with sensitivity and pragmatism and has given us a memorable story as a result.