Review - Fool Me Twice by JL Merrow

Zig’s father never treated him well. Yet, the homophobic thief still insisted that his teenage son take part in his crimes. The one bright thing in Zig’s life is his boyfriend, apprentice bricklayer Si. When Si finds out about Zig’s criminal activity, and Zig defends it, the pair split up. Six years later, both men are older and wiser. Si returned to Glastonbury soon after leaving Zig. For his part, Zig found his moral compass and parted ways with his father. He’s earning an honest living tending bar when he finds out his dad is out of jail and looking for him. Fearing a confrontation, Zig decides to leave London and look up his old boyfriend Si. It’s unlikely Si will give them a second chance at a relationship, but Si was always the kind of man that would never turn away a friend in need.

This sequel to Face Blind focuses on two new characters. Si, or “Scratch” as his friends call him, played a minor role in the first book but takes center stage in this story. The main characters from the first book, Adam and Corin, also appear in this story. You could in theory read this book without having read “Face Blind” first. You’ll only be missing a little background on Adam and his own family issues.

The point of view switches between Zig and Si from one chapter to another. This gives us both sides of the story of their breakup as well as insight into what they’re thinking when they reunite. Zig is clearly a charmer, and knows it, but thanks to his dad he also has an overabundance of doubt about his worth.

The biker with a heart of gold is a bit of a cliché, but it definitely applies to Si. He is, as Zig thinks more than once, a truly good man, but it’s not over the top. Si is no fool. His goodwill definitely has limits, which Zig tests more than once. As in the first book of the series, there are also a number of colorful secondary characters that add to the story.

“Fool Me Twice” is available from Smashwords or see BookBub for other online stores where you can purchase.