Making It by Christine d’Abo
Book #3: Ringside Romance Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Devan has spent the last three years in mourning. On the night of his greatest tragedy, the loss of his unborn child, his husband, Eli also walked out on him. For three years Devan has tried to put his life back together, move forward, but that’s hard to do when your ex hasn’t signed the divorce papers and there’s no closure. What’s more, Devan still doesn’t know precisely why Eli left him.

Eli . . . .

For three years, Eli has worked to build his MMA career, hide the fact that he’s gay (for his career, of course!), and try to understand why he was such a coward and walked out on the only man he has ever loved. Though he never told Devan as much, their life together was everything and leaving it all behind in a fit of unspoken despair was the greatest mistake of Eli’s life. Now, after three long and somewhat miserable years, Eli has a chance to make things right.

Devan . . . .

Hearing of Eli’s return to town should throw Devan into a tailspin, but what it does is strengthen his resolve to get his divorce. Though he isn’t exactly comfortable with the ambush Eli in a public place approach, it is the safest way to safeguard his heart and minimize the risk of an episode. What Devan doesn’t count on is the support of old friends and some surprising news and behavior from Eli. For three years, Devan has lived under the assumption Eli has been ignoring his requests for a divorce when, in fact, the messages have never even reached his ex. What’s more, in their time apart, Eli has matured, mellowed out, and seems genuinely interested in making amends. To Devan is wary of this is a huge understatement.

Eli . . . .

Never in his wildest dreams would Eli suspect Devan of still wanting him or being receptive to taking him back. All Eli wants is to apologize and make things right, and that means providing Devan with some context for his previously horrifying, heartbreaking, and unexplained behavior. With each revelation, Eli is reminded of the many reasons he first fell in love with Devan. Devan is kind, compassionate, and understanding and it is those same qualities that are allowing Eli more and more time with Devan. Their encounters are heated, both emotionally and physically, and driven toward forgiveness, but real love is hard deny and becomes abundantly clear to both men that there may be a future for them even after all the pain.

The Bottom Line: Christine d’Abo is the queen of second chance romance!! Making It, what I am assuming is the final book in the Ringside Romance series, ends the trilogy on a high note with Devan and Eli coming through tremendous pain to once again find each other. This has a bit of everything for the gay romance lover including emotional drama, tender moments, very real trials, and moments of utter happiness. All of the original Ringside men and their partners come to call in Making It and you all well know, I love it when old characters come back to play once again. There is such a sense of love, friendship, and family in this series and that is what has kept me coming back time and again for more. If this is in fact the end of the series, well done, Christine d’Abo, well done! ( )