Bent, Not Broken

by William R. Potter

You really must meet Dwayne whose life is about order and rightness, cleanliness, and counting things with precision. Everything in its place and under control - by the numbers. Well, that is, until Dee-Dee gifted Dwayne with a lover's kiss. Bent, Not Broken is a modern romance about an obsessive compulsive man who falls in love. Dee-Dee challenges Dwayne to experience life instead of hiding from it. Nevertheless, Dwayne’s disorder puts a severe strain on the relationship. Jealousy, low self-esteem, anxiety, and an increasing sense of violence engulf him until he pushes his new love away and falls into old habits of avoidance. Will he overcome this dilemma for love? Or will his problems continue to impede his happiness?

Genres: Contemporary

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2011

About the author

William R. Potter’s first book was the award-winning short story collection, Lighting The Dark Side. He began Dead of Knight in the summer of 2002. The birth of his first child put the book on hold, an early version was completed by Christmas 2004. After publishing his debut book and finishing another novel manuscript in 2006, Potter finally returned to the world of Detective Jack Staal. William lives with his wife, two children, and a pair of spoiled cats in Vancouver, Canada.

Reviews

[Kendra Merritt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full Review: http://kendramerritt.com/obsessive-wo...

I picked this book up as part of the research I was doing for my latest project since I have no experience with OCD, and my main character has a pretty severe case. But I picked it up as a reader as well as a writer. The premise was so intriguing. I love romances of all flavors, but I also love wounded or flawed characters. A character that has to fight against himself in order to win a chance at love? Let me at him.

As I’ve said before, I think an important aspect of portraying disabilities is the details an author gives. And there were plenty of details in this book. I was never in doubt of what Dwayne was feeling. His mental state was laid bare for the reader to see no matter how hard he tried to hide it from the rest of the characters. In fact, I almost feel like there might have been too many details. It read like a report with the author listing everything that Dwayne was thinking and feeling. I guess I would have liked more showing and less telling. This could have been a deliberate choice on the author’s part – a way to illustrate Dwayne’s state of mind. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell. And if I can’t tell, then that choice hasn’t really been made clear.

There were also quite a few loose ends that seemed to blow in the breeze and their flapping was very distracting. Things that were mentioned that I assumed would be important ended up being left forgotten by the end of the book. Little things and big things alike. For example, the girlfriend’s cats. Dwayne is supposed to take care of them while Dee-Dee’s gone, but he falls into a drunken stupor for four days, forgetting about the cats. Dwayne and Dee-Dee fight, she comes home, they make up – but the cats are never mentioned. Not even so much as a “Hey, I’m sorry I killed your pets.”

And in the end I was disappointed with the depth of the story. There were so many places where the story could have been more vibrant, but instead of pulling out the shovel and digging into the things that made the book unique, Potter merely skimmed the surface. For instance, I wanted some discussion about the fact that Dwayne refused to treat his OCD, instead self-medicating with alcohol. This could have been a really interesting flaw, providing room for character growth. But it was a depth left unplumbed.

Overall, I did like the story. I thought the relationship was cute, and I was left wanting to know what happened next, which is mostly a good thing. I found myself really sympathizing with Dwayne; I felt his panic and his frustration with himself until he finally wanted to change so much that he sought the help he needed to become the man he wanted to be. And the descriptions of his OCD were so vivid that I wanted to reach in and cuddle him and intervene for him with the other characters. “Look what he’s going through. Can’t you see how hard it is?” But I was left with mixed feelings. I think this novella could have used a couple more drafts before hitting the press.

[Frederick Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always thought everyone has their afflictions, and some wear them on the surface for all to see, like cancer patients who have lost all their hair or parkinson's sufferers, with their tremors, while other people appear perfectly normal. This is the story of Dwayne, a man whose afflictions are visible for all to see, and Dee-Dee, in whom other less obvious things might lurk under the surface.

What a pleasure to read a book about real people, the sort you might meet on a trip to the grocery store or while riding a bus, which is where Dwayne and Dee-Dee first speak to each other. The author throws them together and lets things happen, and the raw, ugly reality doesn't take long taking over. This is a fine, gripping story, and this is good writing.

I didn't know what to expect when the problems started multiplying between Dwayne and Dee-Dee. I knew it wouldn't be easy, just like life. The ending completely surprised me, and I ended up loving this book.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bent, Not Broken is story of two people who, for different reasons, have trouble finding someone to love. Dwayne has a debilitating mental/emotional handicap and Dee-Dee struggles with a painful experience in her past. Despite those obstacles, they do find a way to connect. This is a fascinating and gentle romantic novella, beautifully told and full of quiet wisdom.
Christa

[Ruth Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this glimpse into the life of a man suffering from OCD. It is a touching story of damaged human beings (bent, not broken) trying to connect in what can sometimes be a cold and unsympathetic world. We don't know if they'll live happily ever after, but there is optimism in the ending because they are both determined not to give up on each other.

[Janet Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Bent, Not Broken, Dwayne is a brilliant man who struggles with a severe case of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and much of it involves counting and numbers and fear of germs. He has what some people would call the most boring job in the world...he sits in a cubicle and takes telephone surveys all day; but he likes his job, and he's good at it. His co-workers (The Gang of Three) disrupt his perfect cubicle and play other disgusting juvenile tricks. Dwayne doesn't seek revenge; he simply puts everything back in its precise order and resumes his work. Personal relationships are nearly impossible; physical contact is extremely uncomfortable, and a kiss means exchanging saliva with another person, something that's appalling to him. Then Dee Dee, a unique and compassionate woman who "gets him," enters his life, and turns everything upside down with surprising and positive results. Now he has a reason to consult his doctor, resume his meds, and practice his strategies of "calming and coping skills" to reduce anxiety attacks.

I found this book fascinating. The writing is clear and
the characters are well-developed. I was hooked from the first line. We see how excruciating life can be for people with OCD. I found myself cheering for Dwayne to get back on track with meds and treatment to control his OCD so he can enjoy more personal freedom, less anxiety, and have a relationship with a wonderful and understanding woman. This book is informative as well as enjoyable to read.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from Amazon, for free. By the time I got around to reading it, I had forgotten what it was about, so I had trouble following the story line! I couldn't believe when the book ended!

From the first time Dwayne's OCD was highlighted (within the first chapter), I was expecting something big to happen with it, maybe murder, or him becoming a recluse... something huge. What actually happens is that he falls in love, tries new things, gets in a big fight because he brought up the A word (Abortion).

So I was disappointed. However, I did enjoy the book, even with my confusion! I thought the details and extent of his OCD were insightful and realistic, especially since OCD is not a topic I read much about.

I thought the drop-off ending was spectacular. It left me wondering after DeeDee and Dwayne for days, would he be able to be a father, would their kid pick up on his habits, would she calm him down, etc!

[Kerry Reis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novella delves into the ordered, but complex life of Dwayne Johnson, who is severely afflicted with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It makes him one of the best workers at his telemarketing job, but leaves him very vulnerable to the endless pranking by his fellow co-workers. Then, he meets Dee-Dee and love really turns his world around. Told from Dwayne's view, the story really creates a compelling characterization. The book comes with an extra - a crime procedural short story - that felt like a mismatch of genres under the same cover. If you enjoy both contemporary romance and police thrillers, consider it a bonus read, but the main story stands on its own.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have one disappointment in this book by William Potter: It ended too soon and I wanted more! This is a very touching story about a man who suffers from OCD whose fellow workers pull constant pranks upon because he's vulnerable and different. But is he really different from any of us? He fights hard against his emotional problems and seeks a normal life. One gal shows him the way even if it's a rocky relationship. But Dwayne comes to the conclusion he can't fight his problems alone. I want more of Dwayne's story. My mind refused to accept the abrupt ending.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have ocd and I was so glad I found this book. I cannot wait to read it.

[Ruth Loizides · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sympathetically written book, lovely story