4.5 stars 
 Dean Abbott would do anything for his best friend, Cassie, even if it meant venturing into the country, staying on a hunting lodge, and pretending to be her boyfriend. Out of his element, he discovers an attraction to Cassie's brother that throws him for a loop, especially because her brother is not gay. 
 Or at least, he isn't open about his sexuality. Callum Montgomery isn't sure what to make of the man his sister has brought home for their cousin's wedding. Callum is protective of his only sister, and isn't sure he likes what he sees from Dean. But Callum does like what he sees in Dean, if he wasn't dating his sister. 
 The tension building between these two was fantastic. As they find themselves drawn together Dean has a harder time hiding his reactions, as does Callum. Though Dean is pretending to date Cassie, he isn't the only one hiding something at Shady Pines. Because though Callum has long known he was gay, he hasn't told anyone in his family, fearing the backlash on the family business in the small town. 
 This stands alone completely from the first book in the series. With the exception of a loose connection between Dean and the guys from The Darkest Flame, there is a new set of characters, new setting, and new drama in this book. I loved Callum's family, right down to his perceptive Grandma and old soul little brother. 
 I enjoyed this story, from the opposite experiences of Dean and Callum, to their struggle to figure out if they could make something work between them. I missed some of the more dangerous aspects of The Darkest Flame, but what is contained in The Deepest Blue grew on me as I got to know these new characters and the worlds in which they moved. 
 ARC Provided by author in exchange for an honest review.