The Hands We’re Given (Aces High, Jokers Wild #1)

Romance adds heart to this dark, character-driven SF debut, set in a dystopic 2155 where the United States of America has been replaced by the all-controlling seven United Corporations. Outside the Corporation grid that spans Colorado and Wyoming lies Base 1407, home to the Wildcards, a group of resistance fighters struggling to regroup after the death of their commander, Paul Taylor. Two awful commanders have tried and failed to get the Wildcards to shape up. When Aidan Headley reluctantly accepts the command post, the Wildcards’ Logistics Officer, Kevin McIllian, expects another brutal tyrant; instead he gets gentle, compassionate Aidan. As Aidan and Kevin bond during movie nights, their developing relationship heals deeper personal wounds in both men, freeing Aidan to reveal that he’s transgender. Themes of bigotry and past trauma make the Wildcards’ journey occasionally painful to read, but the found family forged by these lovable characters is worth sticking with. This is a lovely paean to the healing power of respectful personal connections among comrades, friends, and lovers. (BookLife)