A review by ljamison01
The Sinner's Sanctuary by August Jones

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is the third book in the Doormen of the Upper East Side series and it’s the first book in the series that I’ve read. I’m upset that I’ve never read anything by August Jones before because this book was so good. Christian is the doorman of this building that Gibson and his wife life in upstairs in the penthouse. Gibson knew Christian’s father from when they were younger, they weren’t friends but more than acquaintances. So Gibson helps Christian who lost his father by giving him the basement apartment and a job. Christian has worked for Gibson for about ten years. Gibson has been losing assistants every few weeks because of his wife. So his wife suggests that he hire Christian as his assistant. Christian is not really sure he wants the job. He prefers his life simple, working as a doorman, writing poems and having occasional hookups with women. Although when asked to talk about himself he leads with “I’m bisexual.” He admits he’s never slept with a man or been more intimate than receiving services from a man. This new job would require traveling which Christian desires. Now Gibson is a very complicated man. He’s married to a woman who refuses to be intimate with him, although she is intimate with others. She gets involved with these schemes to vindicate others and cause revenge. Poor Gibson is so incredibly lonely although he has various “pets” and he owns several sex clubs/dungeons. Something in Christian strikes a chord in him and he is strongly attracted to him although he is a straight man. I love MM books where it’s not about identifying as a homosexual or gay,  but it’s about attraction, desire and love. Their romance was so sweet. And the steamy times were hot. These two men were desperately searching for something and they found it in each other. Immediately after reading this book I bought the two previous books in this series. This was an amazing story with an interesting plot.