And this really hampers the romance between Mope and Matt. Because Latakia plays out like a soap opera, even the emotional moments come off as stifled and hokey.

Instead of a drama, we get a melodrama that lacks enough insight to understand it’s own failings. Latakia’s biggest issue is its excessiveness. It tends to meander until finally finding it’s conclusion and while the ending itself is satisfying, the part of the book makes the reader really work to reach it. The pacing slows down dramatically after Matt’s return to civilian life and Latakia loses its sense of purpose. His connection to the rest of the soldiers is well established and their personalities, perhaps more than Mope’s, seem defined. The first half of the book especially moves easily and there is a sense of threat that comes through once Matt is kidnapped. While the basic plot to Latakia is somewhat far fetched, it’s still generally enjoyable. And now I kind of wish I hadn’t, because upon re-reading, Latakia wasn’t quite as good as I remembered. Latakia got buried under all the other books coming across my desk and I decided our International Week for the 2018 Reading Challenge Month was a great opportunity to revisit this story. At the time, I loved the book and found myself tucking it away for further, future readings. I first read Latakia years ago, soon after it was originally released. That will have to be enough, no matter how much both of them might want something else. There’s no hope for them on that front ,but at least out here, where danger surrounds them on all sides, Mope can keep Matt safe. But Mope is in the closet and Matt has a boyfriend back home.

But more than that, Mope finds himself attracted to Matt. Travis, aka Mope, isn’t sure about using a civilian in a military operation, but rescuing Matt was fortuitous and if he agrees to help, he could make a huge impact on their mission in Syria. Now aboard a military carrier, Matt is surrounded by welcoming strangers and faced with an impossible task. Terrified and alone, Matt fears the worst, until a group of Navy SEALS find him and brings him to safety. What he doesn’t anticipate is being mistaken for someone else, kidnapped, and locked away to die. When Matt travels to Syria to volunteer for an immunization program alongside Doctors Without Borders, he’s ready for a little adventure.

Latakia by jf smith