Gideon's Gratitude

Love in Mission City, Book 5

By: Gabbi Grey

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Gideon

When my marriage fell apart, and I lost custody of my kids, my world shattered. My own fault, all of it, from the pills I was taking to how badly I handled the court case. I retreated to my grandparents’ old home, shut the door, and hunkered down with my Labrador Retriever, Lucky. Life is rough, and the constant construction noise from the mansion going up next door will truly be the end of me.

Archer

I've never met the man living next door until a storm forces me to take refuge with him. Gideon's skittish, generous, and oddly endearing. I’m dismayed the construction of my post-divorce home has been so upsetting for him, but there’s little I can do to ease that distress. What I can do, though, is use my skills as a talented divorce attorney to help with the most painful part of his life, the unfair custody arrangement that keeps him from being with his kids.

Gideon’s Gratitude is an small-town, opposites attract, hurt-comfort gay romance about a former longshoreman who believes he’s broken and the lawyer who believes there’s life after divorce.

©2025 Gabbi Grey (P)2025 Gabbi Grey

New beginnings and healing for Gideon and Archer

Two very different men… one adrift, the other broken. I love how their unexpected meeting leads to positive changes for both of them. I identified strongly with Gideon and his pain, both physical and otherwise, and loved seeing him pursue the life he wanted. Archer represented the strong, dependable lover that a man like Gideon needed, even if there was a chink or two in his armor … I love reading that couple dynamic with hurt/comfort. Mission City being what it is, there were appearances by many of its residents, and I’ve come to know and love them all. Narration by Michael Dean is top notch.

Gideon and Archer

My heart broke for Gideon. He screwed up, and there seems to be no end to the consequences. Hopelessness and depression are his only companions. Archer's big, boisterous, invasive family made me smile. He's trying to create an escape from them without any success. I loved how insightful and sure-minded he is regarding Gideon. It doesn't take any time at all before he's all in. Gideon is his person, his other half. Helping bridge the gap between Gideon and his ex proved that he would do anything to heal Gideon's heart.
Highly recommended author and series

Wonderful

This was an interesting and wonderful story, the author was amazing and the narrator was spot on . Loved it

Healing, Hope, and One Very Good Dog

I really enjoyed this book! I haven’t read any of the other Mission City books (aside from the prequel Archer’s Awakening), but I absolutely loved the little mountain town and its close-knit community. You definitely don’t need to have read the others to follow this one—but I’ll for sure be going back to catch up on them now!

This story really highlights the power of a strong support system. We meet Gideon at a very low point in his life—he’s trying to rebuild from rock bottom and tends to keep to himself. Meanwhile, Archer, still recovering from the events of Archer’s Awakening, moves into the house he’s been building right next door (even though it’s not exactly move-in ready). The two form a quick, meaningful bond and help each other heal in their own ways.

Also, I’m a total sucker for a great dog in a story, and Lucky was the sweetest boy!

Michael Dean did a fantastic job with the narration. Just a heads-up—you’ll want to pay attention to POV shifts, especially if you pause mid-chapter.

Overall, this was such a great read and a lovely first glimpse into Mission City! I’m hooked.

Mission City

Mission City provides that right amount of solitude. But it also brings those looking for solitude coming out of their shells. This is another story that shows trouble characters learning to grow outside their four walls. Let's them hurt be comforted. Micheal Dean brings the right cadence to this story (although not a great Irish accent - thank goodness that was a short part).