Slick and Charnel's Two-fer review posted on Guilty Pleasures 
 SLick's review 
 Those of you who read this site regularly know I enjoy a man-love story ever so often. Because of this site, I've found a few authors of this genre that I now regularly read and with today's review, I add yet another one to that list. Cost of Repairs by A.M. Arthur is a story of healing, hope, and finding happiness even when you think you don't deserve it or don't want it. 
 Samuel Briggs is the new beat cop in a small town in Pennsylvania. He's making an effort to know the people on his route and even make some friends. He's starting over, we find out how much and why he's starting over throughout this book and suffice it to say, Sam's story is a dozy. 
 Rey King is a short order cook, part time hardware store worker, and general handy man. He's well liked around town but he's had some trouble in the past. Rey's life has been far from easy and he feels that the only luck he has is bad luck. 
 When Sam and Rey meet for the first time, there's some obvious attraction. But at the time, neither one is sure about the other's sexuality. Rey is out, everyone in town knows and he's okay with that. Sam being a cop keeps his sexuality under wraps. There are people who know he's gay but he doesn't flaunt it around town. The first couple of times Sam and Rey get together it is great in the moment but then afterwards they seem to fall apart. We eventually find out that they are both dealing with a lot of pain and memories that are still affecting them. When Rey is critically injured and then evicted, Sam brings him to the home he is restoring and sets out to help Rey get back on his feet. Of course Rey doesn't like help but even he has to admit at this point, he needs it. During their time together, we begin to understand these very complex men more and it gives us great insight into why they behave the way they do. Things seem to be going fairly well and then someone connected to Sam's past shows up putting both men in danger. 
 This is an extremely well rounded book. I love how Ms. Arthur slowly reveals the backgrounds on these two characters giving us bits and pieces of information but kept just enough back that you know there is more to the story. I like that even though these two jumped into bed together rather quickly, they both come to realize that they genuinely like each other and spend time getting to know one another. I appreciate the fact that even though they both have been through so much, they somehow manage to trust each other. At times it seems all they want to do is say something to really hurt the other person. But, they both are very good at calling each other out and not letting the other one push them away. 
 Cost of Repairs is a book that proves healing takes time, distance, and sometimes a different perspective. Both Sam and Rey are very complex and different people but together they build something special both in the house they are renovating and in each other. I thoroughly enjoyed their story and I've added Ms. Arthur to my must buy list. 4 stars 
 Charnel's Review 
 Cost of Repairs is written in three parts; Part One: Samuel, Part Two: Reign and Part Three: Sam & Rey. 
 Part one thoughts... Sam and Rey both have very troubling histories; they have past hurts that they are trying to work though, issues that will not go away over night. Sam is dealing with the murder of a love one and Rey has guilt regarding many bad choices from the past. 
 When I finished part one I was happy all the issues are out in the open but was crying for poor Rey, so very sad for Rey and everything he has been through. I just want to hug Rey and fix all his problems and Sam feels the exact same way. At the end of part one I was happy the book was broken into parts because I needed a breather and time to digest all that had happened. 
 Part two ends on a much happier note than part one but there is a mystery added to the story. Sam and Rey are working on communicating honestly with each other. Seeing Rey's point of view is wonderful, knowing that Rey wanted Sam from when he first laid eyes on him is insightful, because from Sam POV Rey is holding back his feelings and a little distant. Rey is endearing, he holds back since he's so sure nothing as good as a relationship with Sam could last, he feel inevitable Sam will get tired of him and wants to lessen the hurt when Sam leaves. 
 Part three just seems to go by so fast! Their story ended well but I have unanswered questions about what Rey plans to do next fixing/confronting his past. I don't want to give spoilers but one unresolved issue makes me feel like there's a not a complete happy ending but everything in life doesn't come together exactly how we plan so the end is fitting. Cost of repairs is more about Sam and Rey's friendship and understanding of each other's pain than about an all consuming love. It's about to men who are there for each other when it matters and because of a strong foundation more develops. 4.5 stars