When Forrest learns that he's being transferred to Pontiac, the young paramedic is excited. Not only did he grow up in the Michigan city, but the move will put him closer to his ailing father. Then the night before he leaves Flint, he's viciously attacked in a bar parking lot and nearly dies. After he moves to Pontiac, he vows to put the horrible experience behind him and never speak of it to anyone. He soon finds out that he can't forget that night of terror or the anger that still lingers inside him.
Patrick is new to Pontiac as well. A physician who just moved into the state, he soon finds himself intrigued by the attractive, yet brooding paramedic. As he tries to get closer to Forrest, he is dismayed and annoyed when the punk brushes off his advances. But, Patrick has never been one to give up on something he wants and he's never wanted anything more than to finally have Forrest all to himself.
Forrest wants badly to be able to return Patrick's affection, however, the attack has left him vulnerable and unable to even be touched. Will Patrick be able to heal Forrest, or will they both be doomed to be alone?
Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Go Wings! You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book or gorging on caffeine at her favorite coffee shop.
When she’s not running around like crazy, trying to get her kids to their various activities, she’s currently working on numerous projects. In the coming months, she has several books coming out with eXtasy Books in both The Lost Shifter Series and Drone Vampire Chronicles, plus a few additional projects that are still in the development stages.
When reading shortly about Forrest in one of the previous books, I was pretty sure that he would turn out to be a main character in one of the upcoming stories and I was looking forward to reading about him; he definitely seemed to be an interesting character.
And the story definitely started with a promising first chapter. Shortly before leaving Flint, Forrest is attacked by a group of aggressors and severely hurt. Considering the fact that Forrest couldn’t stand being touched after this incident, I was waiting for a slow-burn romance this time, but once again the story follows the same pattern than all other books of this series. Having in mind what happened to Forrest, I wasn’t able to understand the relationship building.
High Flow was still an entertaining read and I enjoyed getting to know Forrest better. I also liked that this story played in Pontiac, where we finally met a whole new bunch of characters that can be the gay main characters of the upcoming books. But due to the fast-moving romance and the flat character of Patrick, this will stay one of the less remembered stories of this series.
Wow, that was for sure an angsty one! I really felt for Forrest - poor guy had to face alot of bad stuff, glad he's found happyness at the end. And as much as I like the gang from the previous books it was time to move the story to another place, because one more couple - and it'd be 'everyone in hospital is gay' cliche. Liked Kaleb and Dylan's cameo, though. The only thing I didn't like is Forrest's attitude about his sister and her bully friends. How could he let them insult him in his own home let alone move out, just because they said so! Who are they - mafia or some organized crime?? No, just some bullies and I'm sure Forrest could easily call the police or at the very least sue his sister, since the house belonged to them all, not just her. I thought that was too much and I don't like people, who let others walk all over them.
To be honest, from all of Stephani Hecht's series, "EMS series" is my least favorite. Probably because I cannot imagine new situation/plot that can comes from it. Basically, it will be between an EMT/Doctor/Nurse (or possible Fireman, such as in Dylan/Kaleb's story), who meets and fall instantly in love. After so many books, it becomes repetitive. It doesn't have the threat or possible action that present in her "Drone Vampire Chronicles" and "Lost-Shifter" series.
The start of this story is a bit different -- that I can acknowledge. Forrest is attacked outside a bar and it's pretty heartbreaking. The story then moves from Flint to Pontiac, where Forrest (still having a trauma after the event, shown as he is being unable to be touched by others) meets Patrick, an older doctor who is attracted to him. Patrick is patient enough to pursue Forrest and amazingly, Forrest has different reaction when it comes to Patrick's touch. He doesn't feel the trauma, instead he feels that it is so right.
Then, it's the usual instant loving. Duly noted, there is some courting ... and the love-making is being kept until the last chapters. But like I said, it's not really offering something different. The formula is pretty the same. In fact, I kinda miss the boys from Flint, since the setting of this book is in Pontiac.
Of course, Stephani Hecht is one of my favorite authors, and I will continue reading this series. BUT, I cannot see myself ever rating the following sequels to be more than just so-so 3-3.5 stars.
This one broke my heart, it was so good and so sad at the same time. The fact that gay bashing is still a problem in this day and age is a tragedy but that they're still some states that that don't consider it a hate crime is unacceptable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Good m/m romance about a medic who was gay bashed and now can't let anyone get close or touch him. But maybe the handsome doctor in the ER will be patient enough to past his defenses...
I’m reviewing this entire series in one go because they all have similar themes. Each book is short and sweet � little bite-sized stories when you want to pick up something quick to read (I read each one in one sitting).
This is one of those series (previously called St Michael’s) that centres on a group of men who work in emergency services. It is a glorious combination of EMTs, firemen, nurses, doctors�
Each book is relatively short (<100 pages) and make the perfect quick read when you want something short but enjoyable. Each book has a fairly emotional theme � these guys have been abused, hurt in the past, rejected by their families, and any manor of other things that have left them feeling scared and vulnerable but each man finds his partner, someone to love them for who they are and to teach them about trust.
For such serious topics, there isn’t a lot of time to delve into each story in depth but there is just enough heartache and working through issues to reach a happy ending. Okay, so most seem a little unrealistic � love at first sight, overcoming issues quickly and even the over-abundance of gay guys in the town � but I read this series for a light enjoyment so didn’t mind a bit!
You can read the blurb to find out more about each story so I have included a little quote from each book to give a sense of the style...
#1 Running Hot “Running to him, Calvin threw his arms around James and pulled him into a rib-crushing hug. They had a huge audience, but he didn’t give a damn.�
#2 Man Down “I told myself I couldn’t get close to you because I didn’t want any complications in my life. That I didn’t have time for a relationship because of school and stuff. The truth is, I didn’t want to grow attached to you because I can’t stand to lose someone else who I care about.�
#3 Lights and Sirens “Unlike Gary, Matt happened to be good looking on the inside too.�
#4 Priority One “This was it. Finally Dylan would be able to know what it felt like to be with another man. After tonight, there’d be no more lingering doubts. No more false hopes that maybe he’d been wrong all along and wasn’t gay and could make things right back home. If he did this, actually went through with it, these would be no question of what he was. �
#5 Code Blue “He wondered how this little brat had managed to mean so much to him in just the span of a day.�
#6 Red Lights and Silver Bells “Kaleb gaped at him in shock. Even after all these months of having to deal with Dylan’s insecurities, it still shocked Kaleb every time he realized just how little his lover thought of himself. If it was anyone who could have their pick of men, it was Dylan.�
#7 High Flow “Since he’d gotten away with touching him earlier, Patrick allowed himself to reach out and cup Forrest’s face. When the younger man briefly closed his eyes and turned into the touch, a thrill of victory went through Patrick. That’s it, babe, open up to me. It’s safe, I promise. Since he knew it was too early to speak those words aloud, Patrick simply went with, “I want you because you’re Forrest. I wouldn’t change a thing about you because you’re perfect the way you are�
#8 Three-Alarm Fire “Why it’s so easy to tell you things that I could never share with anyone else. It’s because you know what it’s like to be hurt by someone you love. You understand me in ways that nobody else could.�
#9 Shades of the Past “As Kiefer’s body seemed to mold into his side, Ray became aware of two things. One, that Kiefer made for a perfect fit. Second came the startling realization that Ray would do anything to protect the medic from being hurt again.�
#10 In His Hero’s Shadow “I don’t want to get hurt,� Brody finally admitted. “I know I’m not good enough for you and that it will only be a matter of time before you figure that out for yourself and dump me.�
#11 Life Over Limb “Nah, he was just being nice. There is no way in hell a guy that good-looking could be interested in me.�
#12 FUBAR “The victim finally looked up and Danny sucked in a breath as he found himself instantly attracted to the other man. Damn it though, he knew he shouldn’t be having that reaction, after all, this guy barely avoided being viciously attacked. The last thing he needed was his would-be rescuer drooling over him.�
#13 Status Dramaticus “Are you even listening to me?� Ah, no. I was too busy drooling over you and imagining how it would feel to have you fuck me into the mattress.
#14 Tagged and Bagged ”The good think about Housten being asleep, aside from the fact his mouth was shut, was that he wasn’t aware of how sappy Rich was being. And Rich was being sappy with a capital S.�
#15 Blamestorming “Intrigued because I’m gay and working in such an alpha dominated field, or because you’re interested in me for something more than a friend?�
#16 Circling the Drain ”Would you think I sound young and dorky if I said that if I wasn’t careful I could fall in love with you?�
#17 STAT “For some reason, Wells felt a flash of jealously over Jaret being so close to another man. Which was crazy. He and Jaret weren’t even friends, much less in a relationship.�
#18 City of Fire “Awww�.you better watch it, people will say we’re in love.� “I see that you’ve been watching Oklahoma again.� “What can I say, I’m just a guy who can’t say no.�
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at
Poor Forrest is the victim of a hate crime and deeply traumatized. Plenty of angst and potential for an intense, h/c drama. I found Patrick to be a bit pushy, considering Forrest's past. Due to short length, some of the healing aspects were glossed over, therefore a general lack of depth to the story.
High Flow is the bittersweet story of Forrest and Patrick. Forrest is a paramedic and Patrick is a physician. The two young men meet during an emergency call at the hospital where Patrick works. Patrick is immediately smitten, but Forrest is hiding a very dark secret, and is afraid to let anyone get near him.
Both men are new to Pontiac, Michigan and almost from the start co-workers and friends are conspiring to get them together. Forrest is working very hard to care for his ailing father and his 16-year-old brother, Todd, while avoiding scenes with his drugged-out older sister, Deb and her very rowdy friends.
Forrest is working hard, but he's hiding too, so trying to build any sort of relationship with Patrick is going to be tough. His close friends, Kaleb and Dylan are eager to see him start something new. While Patrick's co-worker, Margo is doing everything she can to get the two of them together.
Hecht handles the budding relationship between Patrick and Forrest with much skill. Some of the scenes in the novel simmer with emotion. The passion between Patrick and Forrest starts out tentative, but very quickly becomes something they may be able to build a future upon, if they can trust each other. High Flow is worth 4 stars. It's a very fine read. This story deserves a follow-up to answer some questions left unanswered and to explore further the growing relationship between Patrick and Forrest.
This takes the story from Flint down to Pontiac (up to?). The night he was celebrating his new job with his friends in Flint, Forrest is beaten, raped and nearly killed. However he has recovered, and is working his new job while trying to care for his father who was injured in a car accident, and his teenage brother. He meets new Dr. in town, Patrick, who is interested but Forrest is still freaked from his attack, and can't let anyone touch him. As well he's occupied with his father and dealing with his abusive druggie sister and her friends. Patrick however perseveres, even when he finds out why Forrest isn't interested, or says he's not. To Forrest's surprise, Patrick's touch doesn't seem to freak him out. When his father has a stroke and dies, he has no one to turn to when his sister threatens to have her cronies go after him and his younger brother, so he turns to Patrick who promises him as much time as he needs and a place to stay. It was a nice story although the aftermath of the horrible attack on Forrest is there in all it's glory, some people may find that discomforting, but I think it went a long way to explaining Forrest's issues, including a dysfunctional and abusive family. Maybe he got over it a little quickly, but still, a sweet story in the series that has taken things to a new city but with a common feel. No more nasty Nurse Gladys, whom I was kind of growing attached to. Go figure.
High Flow is a story about an EMS, Forrest, and Doctor, Patrick, who fall instantly in love at the first meeting. There are problems of course, Forrest has a difficult family life and has suffered a traumatic attack in the recent past. Patrick a less well-developed character; he is the perfect boyfriend for Forrest. Perfect in every way, no downsides or angst at all. Although much of the story is from his point of view, he remains a prop on stage around which Forrest's story flows This is a Petite story, tiny, well-groomed, pretty. Perfect to read yourself to sleep since you will be done reading before lights-out.
I thought this one was o.k. It started out with a gay bashing of one of the MCs, which I hate reading about. Put me in a poor frame of mind right off that bat. Then I thought there really was no buildup at all of the attraction between the two MCs. But it had a very sweet HEA. I would have liked to have read more about their home life once Forrest decided to stay living with Dr. Patrick and how his brother 16 y/o Todd felt about living with his brother and his gay lover. Was he happy to finally have a home that was safe and drug free?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is book seven and a nice continuation of the EMS Heat series. The story is about Forrest, a paramedic, and Patrick who is a doctor. They come from different backgrounds/life experiences and are both genuinely nice guys. Forrest has gone through a really horrible experience which left him unable to get close to anyone until Patrick comes into his life. It was nice to revisit some of the characters from previous books and overall I enjoyed reading this book.
I love the EMS series but this one was lacking something for me. Forrest is a great character, and itw as tough to read of his attack. His reaction in the aftermath seemed so real, until the instalove with Patrick. It seemed there should have been at least a little conflict there, instead it was love at first conversation. The run-ins with Bertha, however, priceless.
Thin. Even if it's in the middle of a series, it should be able to stand on its own and doesn't quite. To be fair, I will have to read others in the series, perhaps more going on than I picked up with just this story.
I'm so glad that Forrest let Patrick in, they make such a loving couple and I'm so glad that Forrest was able to let himself be loved as he deserved it so much! And OMG I love Todd, he was funny as hell and such a great brother to Forrest.
I felt their connection was a little rushed, where if it had been a slow build up, it wouldn't have felt forced. But in the end it was a sweet story. although, I believe something should have happened to Deb to make her wake up and realise, and how did she just kick them out?