The Hidden Door (Open Doors book 4) by Vinni George

"I'd told Brody I was interested. He'd told me he was complicated." The Hidden Door.

From the blurb:

Life is tricky…especially with a hidden identity.

In a word, Brody’s life is complicated. He has enough secrets—and enough reasons to keep them—to fill the back of his Volvo station wagon. But something about the marine biology nerd who works at the smoothie shop has the things he’s kept hidden begging to be set free.

Phin has never been one for complications, which is why he’s always avoided relationships. Hookups? Yes. Relationships? Definitely not. So why, after striking up an unlikely friendship with Brody, can Phin not seem to get the hot surfer with the pink surfboard out of his head?

When circumstances force Brody and Phin together, will Brody’s new feelings be enough to convince Phin to build a relationship with him, or will Brody have to share parts of his past and present that no one else knows about to keep his man?

The Hidden Door is the final full-length novel in the Open Doors series featuring a marine biologist who loves to teach, a SoCal surfer with a hidden identity, and an unlikely friendship forged over a shared love of tide pools, tacos, and vinyl records.

Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's Review:

Oh Brody. What a total sweetie pie that man is. Heart of gold and then some. I felt sad that he felt he had to hide himself from his friends for so long. The found family of all the guys are just such a great group and I knew when it came down to it none of them would bat an eye at Brody's secrets. Well, they might shed a tear, but nothing was going to change how much they cared about each other. The same could be said for Phin.

Like Archer from book 2 Revolving Door, Phin doesn't really do relationships. He's much too busy with work and school to deal with the distraction. Casual hookups suit him just fine, until Brody that is. There is something about that laid back surfer that calls to him. Luckily, after spending some time together Brody starts to feel the same. It's been quite some time since Brody has felt the pull of intimacy with another person. I was go glad he took a chance and acted on it with Phin.

These two men were so sweet together. Phin was exceptionally patient and understanding with Brody. He never made him feel less than or silly for his supposed hang ups with sex. Phin embraced Brody for who he was, which just made it more important than ever for Brody to show Phin the real him. Brody definitely was keeping secrets and he may have gone about spilling them the wrong way in the end, but he didn't do it with any unkind motives. That man doesn't have an unkind bone in his body and thankfully Phin agreed.

I will miss this series and group of men. I didn't realize this book was going to be the last. I'm glad we got so many moments with them all together on the beach hanging out. Archer and Hank always make me laugh when those two get up to their antics. It was almost like a last gift for the reader to say goodbye and as someone who truly enjoyed this series I appreciated it immensely.

Rating: 4 Stars

Heather's Review:

Once burned, twice shy... that seems to be the overarching message playing in Brody's mind throughout the book and really the only major source of angst in this relationship...  

Building on their acquaintance to become friends and then lovers, this book unfolds slowly as we learn more about each of the characters and what they want out of their relationship.  Both characters are sweet in their own way and this final installment of the Open Doors series really showcased the running theme, introducing us to The Hidden Door charity as part of their journey.

I am hoping that Vinni George revisits the men of the Open Doors series in the future, but The Hidden Door gives them all a wonderful send off.

Rating: 5 Stars

The Hidden Door is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription