I have to thank Sarah Ferguson with Social Butterfly PR for asking me to take a chance on Strong Enough by Melanie Harlow and David Romanov. I was in a big time reading slump and this book took me right out of it. Two men at different points in their lives; one late thirties determined to find a woman to settle down with and have a family, the other a Russian immigrant determined to live in a country where his sexuality was accepted and to make a better life for himself meet by chance and it turns both their lives upside down. This book was so easy to read; I was completely immersed in their story and didn't want to come up for air. I loved every complicated, emotional, and sexy moment of this completely alluring story. 
 At thirty-six, Derek thought he'd be married and chasing around a couple of kids, but he's never found a woman he has explosive chemistry with despite being close to proposing at one point. Feeling at loose ends both in his personal and professional lives, Derek refuses to admit what he thinks might be his problem. A frantic phone call from his sister has him running to help a young man from Russia whose bag with all his belongings was stolen in her bar. Maxim's day isn't going well at all, only hours in the U.S. and he's lost all his belongings, but then Derek walks in and takes him to his home, feeds him, gives him clothes to wear and turns him inside out. 
 Derek wasn't looking for a man, Maxim wasn't looking for a relationship and yet fate put them together making them both take a good, long look at their lives. To say Derek was conflicted is putting it mildly, growing up in a strict religious household the urges he's had all his life he has pushed down and away and denied, but something about Maxim brings them rushing to the surface. Maxim left Russia to make something of himself and to be able to be out and not afraid. They seem like such an unlikely pair, but the more time they spend together, feelings surface forcing Maxim to be strong and Derek to reexamine his life. 
 I loved everything about this book; the rush of attraction, the growing feelings, the conflict, and two people refusing to settle for anything less than what they both want and deserve. This is Ms. Harlow's first gay romance, but I hope it won't be her last and as for her co-author, David Romanov, this story was semi-autobiographical I'm thrilled he is happy in his life and thank him for working with Ms. Harlow and sharing his story. If you enjoy well written romance with likeable characters and a good plot without a lot of angst, then I highly recommend Strong Enough. 
 ARC provided for a voluntary and honest review.