The Promise Effect by L.A. Lambert

Laurel von Isildor was once a promising young sorcerer and artist, but a traumatic relationship left him jaded, bitter, and unable to use his magic. When his friends hire an empathic healer with rare abilities to help, mistrustful Laurel isn’t keen on the idea. Especially once he meets the terminally cheerful golden retriever-like man.
Ash Daye is an eternal optimist with a perfect track record when it comes to healing his clients’ various physical and mental ailments. But this job is more complicated than any before, particularly when intense romantic feelings develop between the two of them.
Will Ash succeed in helping Laurel overcome his emotional blocks and accept love? Or will the scars of his past, and the threat of his vindictive ex, keep Laurel from the fairy-tale ending he has always secretly dreamed of?