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Sins of Another
One morning Padrig Kennedy comes home to find his partner, Nick Glenfielding, in bed with another man. Shocked, hurt, and vulnerable, Padrig flees and meets a stranger who seems to offer comfort—but he force-feeds Padrig a steady diet of drugs and prostitution instead. When he finally surfaces from his hell, it’s to another system he’s now HIV positive.Nick descends into darkness as well. Devastated by losing Padrig, he finds no consolation in the legal career he doesn’t love and tries to find solace in alcohol, spending his days in an ever-deepening haze.Padrig and Nick find each other again, but their relationship can never be the same. If they’re to stand any chance of a future together, they must do the make sense of the past and learn to cope with new burdens they’ll bear for life.A Bittersweet Dreams It's an unfortunate love doesn't always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.
- GenresM M RomanceContemporary
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2013
1 person is currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Skye Davies
6 books7 followersJessica Skye Davies has been a writer since her first works were “published” in her grandparents’ living room and written in crayon. She is a lifelong native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she has been active in the community, including serving as library director on the executive board of a local GLBT community center. Outside of writing, Jessica has a wide range of interests and hobbies: from Mozart in a music hall to punk in pubs, from Shakespeare to Vonnegut, from salsa dancing the night away to afternoon coffee in the square to kicking back with a good movie. She loves meeting new people and exploring new places, always open to whatever elements might inspire her next writing project.
Visit Jessica at:
Blog: http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessicaskye.d...
Visit Jessica at:
Blog: http://jessicaskyedavies.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessicaskye.d...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
doubt-it
March 31, 2013Bittersweet....
....I need convincing.
....I need convincing.
May 1, 2013
3.5 stars
I liked this book a lot, but I think I liked the ideas in it more than the execution of it.
The journey of Padrig, a man coming to terms not only with being drugged and forced into prostitution but also coming out the other side with HIV, should have been more emotionally gripping than it was. Padrig never really had a massive breakdown about it, so neither did I. Also, I'm not sure what the protocols are in other countries, but I thought in most places when someone is dumped at a hospital and claims they've been raped, the police are called immediately. There were ties here to human trafficking and organised crime that were never really explored at all, and made me think it might have worked better if Padrig had just fucked up and got HIV from unsafe sex with the wrong guy.
The strongest part of this book is in the new friends that Padrig makes when he's out of hospital: the diverse bunch of men he meets at the assisted living facility he initially stays at. I was really fascinated by the "magnetic couples" (one is positive, one is negative) and would have liked to see more of this explored once Padrig was back with Nick.
I had another nitpick that may be a little more controversial: there seemed to be a lot of guys in this book who were happily embarking on relationships with HIV positive men. There seemed to be very little soul-searching done or, if it was done I guess it was done offscreen. I definitely would have liked to see that aspect explored a little more. Mention was made of the fact that these men will one day watch their partners die, but I wanted more than that acknowledgement. Because it must be a hell of a thing to decide to commit to someone knowing that they have HIV, and knowing that you've just upped your own risk factor a lot more.
Like I said, I loved the ideas in this book. I just had some trouble connecting with the characters on an emotional level, and I felt there was a lot of unexplored potential here.
The last chapter of this book though -- loved it! And the last line -- perfect!
I liked this book a lot, but I think I liked the ideas in it more than the execution of it.
The journey of Padrig, a man coming to terms not only with being drugged and forced into prostitution but also coming out the other side with HIV, should have been more emotionally gripping than it was. Padrig never really had a massive breakdown about it, so neither did I. Also, I'm not sure what the protocols are in other countries, but I thought in most places when someone is dumped at a hospital and claims they've been raped, the police are called immediately. There were ties here to human trafficking and organised crime that were never really explored at all, and made me think it might have worked better if Padrig had just fucked up and got HIV from unsafe sex with the wrong guy.
The strongest part of this book is in the new friends that Padrig makes when he's out of hospital: the diverse bunch of men he meets at the assisted living facility he initially stays at. I was really fascinated by the "magnetic couples" (one is positive, one is negative) and would have liked to see more of this explored once Padrig was back with Nick.
I had another nitpick that may be a little more controversial: there seemed to be a lot of guys in this book who were happily embarking on relationships with HIV positive men. There seemed to be very little soul-searching done or, if it was done I guess it was done offscreen. I definitely would have liked to see that aspect explored a little more. Mention was made of the fact that these men will one day watch their partners die, but I wanted more than that acknowledgement. Because it must be a hell of a thing to decide to commit to someone knowing that they have HIV, and knowing that you've just upped your own risk factor a lot more.
Like I said, I loved the ideas in this book. I just had some trouble connecting with the characters on an emotional level, and I felt there was a lot of unexplored potential here.
The last chapter of this book though -- loved it! And the last line -- perfect!
May 3, 2013
Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
I enjoyed this book thoroughly but it was a tough read emotionally. Ms Davies did an excellent job in dealing with two harsh topics, slavery and HIV. For those readers bothered by non-consensual rape, there was not too much of it but it was there out of necessity. I would not let it put me off reading this book because the story is more about Padrig dealing with having HIV. Told in the first person from Padrig's POV, I was impressed by the complexity of Padrig himself and his support team at Willowmeade. The characters were well developed from Jarrod to my personal favorite, Krist. They are as diverse as the day is long and all have their own individual impact on Padrig's life and the way he choose to line with the virus. I enjoyed the way the mysterious Kazimir showed up at key times and places in the story. The plot twists and turns kept me flipping pages until I came to the beautiful but heart wrenching end. I was happy that Ms Davies brought Padrig and the love of his life, Nick back together even though the way that she did it was fairly awkward in my opinion. Being a bittersweet story, this story is not for everyone even though it is a story about love and how much we all need it in some shape or form. I spent several hours quietly alone with my thoughts after finishing this story. It touched me right where I live and while I am HIV negative, the story made me realize just how quickly that could all change. I recommend this book strongly to those readers who enjoy a bit of reality in their romance stories.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly but it was a tough read emotionally. Ms Davies did an excellent job in dealing with two harsh topics, slavery and HIV. For those readers bothered by non-consensual rape, there was not too much of it but it was there out of necessity. I would not let it put me off reading this book because the story is more about Padrig dealing with having HIV. Told in the first person from Padrig's POV, I was impressed by the complexity of Padrig himself and his support team at Willowmeade. The characters were well developed from Jarrod to my personal favorite, Krist. They are as diverse as the day is long and all have their own individual impact on Padrig's life and the way he choose to line with the virus. I enjoyed the way the mysterious Kazimir showed up at key times and places in the story. The plot twists and turns kept me flipping pages until I came to the beautiful but heart wrenching end. I was happy that Ms Davies brought Padrig and the love of his life, Nick back together even though the way that she did it was fairly awkward in my opinion. Being a bittersweet story, this story is not for everyone even though it is a story about love and how much we all need it in some shape or form. I spent several hours quietly alone with my thoughts after finishing this story. It touched me right where I live and while I am HIV negative, the story made me realize just how quickly that could all change. I recommend this book strongly to those readers who enjoy a bit of reality in their romance stories.
April 28, 2013
3 1/2 - 4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
When Padrig returns home from holiday he never expected to find his lover Nick in bed with another man, fleeing the house he runs to the park and finds himself in a position he can’t get himself out of. Drugged and forced into prostitution Padrig is rescued by a stranger, coming to in a hospital bed he believes the worst is behind him, until he is told he is HIV positive. When Padrig and Nick reconnect they both have much to say, but their relationship can never be the same again. Rebuilding a relationship from scratch they both have burdens to share, can they really have a relationship with the past weighing down on them?
This is a very interesting story that has a very bittersweet ending that will tug at your heart. We join Padrig as he tells his story, from the moment his life changes forever and through the intervening years where he builds a new life and rediscovers love. We are with him as he makes friends and loses them, reconnects with old friends, as he works through his shock and new circumstances and with Nick’s help puts the pieces together of what happened to both of them and why.
This is a really well written story that delves into the life of a man who had his whole life ripped away from him, and, as he picks up the pieces, discovers that it will never be the same again. There is a lot that we discover in this story about Padrig and his friends, both old and new, and how Padrig process’s what happened to him. We briefly get an idea of what happened to Nick and we see Nick and Padrig rediscovering the love they once had and rebuilding a new life together and coping with HIV and the fear they both have when the medication begins to fail.
Although I liked this story I found that it dragged in places, I know that it was all about Padrig, but, it would have been nice to see what happened to Nick rather than him briefly explain years later what he went through. We see a lot about Padrig’s recovery and him getting back on his feet, dealing with HIV and the support that he receives from new friends. This is a sad story that has its bright moments, but when you finish this story you are left with a lingering sadness and tears in your eyes at the hopelessness of the situation that was caused by another’s sins.
I will recommend this story to those that love bittersweet stories, losing love, rediscovering love, tragic circumstances, a strong will to live life and an ending that will have you nearly crying.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
When Padrig returns home from holiday he never expected to find his lover Nick in bed with another man, fleeing the house he runs to the park and finds himself in a position he can’t get himself out of. Drugged and forced into prostitution Padrig is rescued by a stranger, coming to in a hospital bed he believes the worst is behind him, until he is told he is HIV positive. When Padrig and Nick reconnect they both have much to say, but their relationship can never be the same again. Rebuilding a relationship from scratch they both have burdens to share, can they really have a relationship with the past weighing down on them?
This is a very interesting story that has a very bittersweet ending that will tug at your heart. We join Padrig as he tells his story, from the moment his life changes forever and through the intervening years where he builds a new life and rediscovers love. We are with him as he makes friends and loses them, reconnects with old friends, as he works through his shock and new circumstances and with Nick’s help puts the pieces together of what happened to both of them and why.
This is a really well written story that delves into the life of a man who had his whole life ripped away from him, and, as he picks up the pieces, discovers that it will never be the same again. There is a lot that we discover in this story about Padrig and his friends, both old and new, and how Padrig process’s what happened to him. We briefly get an idea of what happened to Nick and we see Nick and Padrig rediscovering the love they once had and rebuilding a new life together and coping with HIV and the fear they both have when the medication begins to fail.
Although I liked this story I found that it dragged in places, I know that it was all about Padrig, but, it would have been nice to see what happened to Nick rather than him briefly explain years later what he went through. We see a lot about Padrig’s recovery and him getting back on his feet, dealing with HIV and the support that he receives from new friends. This is a sad story that has its bright moments, but when you finish this story you are left with a lingering sadness and tears in your eyes at the hopelessness of the situation that was caused by another’s sins.
I will recommend this story to those that love bittersweet stories, losing love, rediscovering love, tragic circumstances, a strong will to live life and an ending that will have you nearly crying.
May 24, 2013
For readers considering this book (and especially those who don't read blurbs, or don't read them all the way to the end), this is one of Dreamspinner Press's Bittersweet Dreams titles--which signals that this does not have a traditional happy ending. Kudos to the author for following her muse and writing a book with difficult subject matter--a bit about sexual slavery and more about HIV/AIDS--knowing that some readers will hesitate to pick it up.
I've read a lot about HIV and AIDS, so in that way I was perhaps better prepared for this story than others might be. The author delivers diverse and enjoyable characters and some wonderful settings, and she conjures a range of emotions within the reader. Sexuality is handled subtly rather than graphically. Despite the inherent sadness in parts of the book, there's an overarching sense of love and stability, especially in the celebration of the deep bonds that exist between friends.
The author also exercises a subtle hand with the ending. She could have made it into a multiple-hanky tearjerker, but her restraint serves the book and characters well.
I've read a lot about HIV and AIDS, so in that way I was perhaps better prepared for this story than others might be. The author delivers diverse and enjoyable characters and some wonderful settings, and she conjures a range of emotions within the reader. Sexuality is handled subtly rather than graphically. Despite the inherent sadness in parts of the book, there's an overarching sense of love and stability, especially in the celebration of the deep bonds that exist between friends.
The author also exercises a subtle hand with the ending. She could have made it into a multiple-hanky tearjerker, but her restraint serves the book and characters well.
November 20, 2015
This story really moved me to no end. I'm still in tears.
Having said that it would have hit a perfect 5 star, but there was still editing needed where the odd word was missing. I caught this several times.
Having said that it would have hit a perfect 5 star, but there was still editing needed where the odd word was missing. I caught this several times.
dnf-not-4-me
October 11, 2014HIV/AIDS - too depressing for M/M romance.
April 30, 2013
This was a hard read to get through, sad but bittersweet. What Padrig went through was a horrible experience, and the consequences of it were life changing and lasting. Although the story did drag a bit here and there and it had a near tearjerker of an ending, I enjoyed it quite a lot.
May 7, 2016
I put off reading this for a long time because it sounded so sad; it is sad but more than that it's a great story about human resilience and hope. Fantastic writing, characters and story, not overloaded with sex. Although Pad is held as a sex slave for a long time, there are no graphic scenes. Will definitely read again and look forward to more by this author.
July 6, 2013
Bittersweet tale executed with restraint and respect. It dragged a little in places, but overall, a beautiful story.
May 2, 2013
Almost cried few times T_T
May 2, 2013
“Schlaf, mein Süßer. I would love you like that if I could.” That about killed me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews