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Scars and Stripes #1
Proof of Life
Love heals even the deepest wounds.
-West
After giving twelve years of my life to the service, I didn’t just lose my leg. I lost everything, including my career. When the dust settled, the only person still standing by my side in the rubble was Brandt —the single lifeline I had left to a world I didn’t want to live in anymore.
With painstaking care, he healed my body and my mind. When he eventually started healing my heart, I realized I didn’t just need him in my life, I needed him in ways I’d never wanted him before.
-Brandt
Watching West struggle every day was tearing me apart. If he could only see what I do, he wouldn’t see flaws and hopelessness. He’d see a courageous, selfless, brilliant leader. A guy with no filter, who always makes me laugh. Someone who never asks questions before offering to bail my ass out of trouble.
He’d see the man I’ve come to love as more than just my best friend.
Proof Of Life is a double bi-awakening MM romance between best friends, with a heavy dose of healing and angst. These courageous vets prove that when all is lost, love heals even the deepest, most painful wounds. Book one of the Scars And Stripes Trilogy.
-West
After giving twelve years of my life to the service, I didn’t just lose my leg. I lost everything, including my career. When the dust settled, the only person still standing by my side in the rubble was Brandt —the single lifeline I had left to a world I didn’t want to live in anymore.
With painstaking care, he healed my body and my mind. When he eventually started healing my heart, I realized I didn’t just need him in my life, I needed him in ways I’d never wanted him before.
-Brandt
Watching West struggle every day was tearing me apart. If he could only see what I do, he wouldn’t see flaws and hopelessness. He’d see a courageous, selfless, brilliant leader. A guy with no filter, who always makes me laugh. Someone who never asks questions before offering to bail my ass out of trouble.
He’d see the man I’ve come to love as more than just my best friend.
Proof Of Life is a double bi-awakening MM romance between best friends, with a heavy dose of healing and angst. These courageous vets prove that when all is lost, love heals even the deepest, most painful wounds. Book one of the Scars And Stripes Trilogy.
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2024
377 people are currently reading
1496 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews
July 16, 2025
4.75***** stars
I love military romances in general but this one already had my heart after reading the author’s dedication to the two main characters and her foreword.
This book comes with a lot of heartache and heartbreak. But it also comes with a strong and beautiful romance. With a love between two best friends and team mates in the Army. With a love that fights for your life, pulls you out of the dark, holds you up. A love that helps you stand and heal. A love that’s everything.
Their all consuming love and devotion for each other built and poured off the pages and the author got them one of the most beautiful and deserving HEA’s. ♡
I’m sorry for all the quotes but even deciding for only these out of everything I highlighted was a challenge. I wished I could show you them all. But what I want even more is for you to try this beautiful love story for yourself. Recommended with all my heart.
side note: while reading, this book reminded me a lot of “Endless Stretch of Blue” by Riley Hart. Not from the plot itself but because of the similarities in circumstances with them feeling lost in their new reality of life, the survivors guilt and eventually finding comfort in each other —and just the feel of the book. So if you liked that one you might like this one too.
*This book is brutal at times, please heed TWs
From what we’ve glimpsed from Brewer’s background here there is no doubt his story is going to be brutal and will hit hard as well. Still, I can’t wait.
And a special shoutout to the Bitches with Stiches, the army vet group to vent about their struggles while knitting in group and being the best new team West and Brandt could've hoped for finding.
**************
Scars and Stripes Trilogy
Book 1 - Proof of Life - 4.75 stars
Book 2 - The Darkness Within - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - Warrior’s Walk - 4.0 stars
⇢ Sequel Series for the beloved side characters: Bitches With Stiches
I love military romances in general but this one already had my heart after reading the author’s dedication to the two main characters and her foreword.
I want to make him want to live, and I don’t know how.
My voice is barely a whisper. “Don’t let me go.”
“Never. I promise.”
“Proof of life?”
“Yeah, I need to know you’re in there, and that you’re still holding on, still fighting. I need to know you’re still with me.”
This book comes with a lot of heartache and heartbreak. But it also comes with a strong and beautiful romance. With a love between two best friends and team mates in the Army. With a love that fights for your life, pulls you out of the dark, holds you up. A love that helps you stand and heal. A love that’s everything.
“Can’t fall,” I grunt, […] “I’ve got three legs. Can’t fall with three legs.”
I’m gonna sit right here and sip my coffee and silently fall even harder for my best friend while he makes a fool of himself.
Their all consuming love and devotion for each other built and poured off the pages and the author got them one of the most beautiful and deserving HEA’s. ♡
“There’s never gonna be a day that I don’t love you, or that I don't want you, Wes. This ring means I’m never going to let you fall.” […] “I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m telling you how it’s gonna be for the rest of our lives. It’s gonna be me and you, forever. From here on out, on the good days and bad days and all the days in between.”
I’m sorry for all the quotes but even deciding for only these out of everything I highlighted was a challenge. I wished I could show you them all. But what I want even more is for you to try this beautiful love story for yourself. Recommended with all my heart.
side note: while reading, this book reminded me a lot of “Endless Stretch of Blue” by Riley Hart. Not from the plot itself but because of the similarities in circumstances with them feeling lost in their new reality of life, the survivors guilt and eventually finding comfort in each other —and just the feel of the book. So if you liked that one you might like this one too.
*This book is brutal at times, please heed TWs
From what we’ve glimpsed from Brewer’s background here there is no doubt his story is going to be brutal and will hit hard as well. Still, I can’t wait.
And a special shoutout to the Bitches with Stiches, the army vet group to vent about their struggles while knitting in group and being the best new team West and Brandt could've hoped for finding.
**************
Scars and Stripes Trilogy
Book 1 - Proof of Life - 4.75 stars
Book 2 - The Darkness Within - 4.25 stars
Book 3 - Warrior’s Walk - 4.0 stars
⇢ Sequel Series for the beloved side characters: Bitches With Stiches
March 14, 2024
We’re two souls that were always destined to be mates, beautifully broken and carefully mended. We belong to each other. I am the keeper of his body and his heart, and he is the protector of mine. To him, my imperfections are perfect. To me, he has no imperfections. He was always perfect.
raquel has blown me away once again. it's no secret at this point how obsessed i am with her books. rome and max — from embracing fate (my fav raquel couple) and aaron and cortex — from fighting against fate are couples i think about all the time. but this? this has reached a new level. the writing and feels go soul deep in this. it was heartbreaking where i was in tears but other times i was swooning because it was so touching. i felt like i was being healed along with west and brandt. ❤️🩹
this book is the exact definition of when i say i adore long term friends to lovers with bi-awakening. the bi-awakeing for both mcs happen early on in the book, but it makes sense because they have already been friends for a decade. so there was some initial attraction already there but it still felt like a slow burn because it takes them a bit to fully get there as a couple. so we love a good insta-love but also slow burn. i eat it up every time when they’re feeling something for each other and don’t realize it. this book is what i call best friends to lovers done right.
raquel has this way of making me feel the soulmates vibes from the get-go. she writes the mc's connection so naturally and genuinely. it always feels so intimate like i should look away because it's like i'm intruding on such a sacred moment. there is one particular scene (among many) that felt so intimate i actually had to pause reading. also for those who love co-dependency, but not in a toxic way, this book is for you. the love declarations they gave to each other, the validation they gave each other, the safety and trust they provided each other, the way brandt was so patient and never gave up on west, how west was scared and confused but he embraced his feelings because it was brandt. i'm not even joking when i say the best part of these character's day was seeing each other smile. like can you imagine? i need someone's best part of their day to be when they see me smile 😭 — i was just in awe.
they have been through hell and fucking back, but despite that, they gave the most healthy couple vibes. the way they supported each other, they communicated and overcame their obstacles together. they picked each other up during their lows and celebrated their highs, they could read each other like a book and knew exactly what the other needed in that moment. when they said i love you to one another, i truly believed it. if they even said it in the first 20% i would have believed it then too.
here are some quotes to show you what i mean —
“I won’t let it have you,” he cries brokenly, and I want to die all over again for the pain I’ve caused him. “Lean on me. Take from me. My strength, my conviction, my hope, and my love.” He clutches my hand to his stubbled cheek and squeezes. “Take all my love and let it fill up all your broken, empty places.” 🥺😭💔
“I know you feel lost. But I swear I’ve got you, and I’m going to hold on to you so tight.” He clutches the back of my head, his fingers almost pulling on my hair. “So fucking tight,” he whispers. “I’m not gonna let go until you’re strong enough to stand on your own again. However long that takes.”
“I’ll be checking in. I need proof of life, every day, maybe twice a day. Maybe every other day if it’s a good day, but I’ll be checking in.”
“Proof of life?”
“Yeah, I need to know you’re in there, and that you’re still holding on, still fighting. I need to know you’re still with me.” All I can do is nod. Proof of life. I can give him that. 😭😭😭
now — the found family was absolutely amazing. my heart feels so satified because i know brandt and west have these men by their sides because they ALL deserve the world. i CANNOT wait for the other books. there was also tons of mental health and therapy rep, disability rep, group support sessions, bonding over knitting together, it was all so heartwarming and i can't wait to see more of the Bitches with Stitches.
and i can't forget to talk about the smut. i mean this is a raquel riley book and she writes some of the best smut i've read. i'm just going to leave this here:
“All this strength makes me wonder what you could do to me,” he admits, squeezing my biceps.
🏃♀️🏃♀️👀😳
what to expect:
🖤 best friends to lovers
💛 double bi-awakening
🤍 angst
🖤 hard-earned HEA
💛 co-dependency
🤍 no OW/OM drama
🖤 healing together
💛 found family
🤍 hurt/comfort to the max
🖤 mental health & disability rep
💛 hot and emotional
🤍 soulmates
🖤 book one of a trilogy (each follow a different couple)
please check your TWs before reading this! there is some very heavy serious themes in this book.
i am so thankful for this arc provided to me by Raquel Riley and this is my honest review.
October 10, 2024
Brandt is officially my current favorite MMC. What an amazing man with the most precious soul. West is just as amazing, I loved these two characters so so much! I bawled my eyes out (typing with swollen eyes)
Best friends to lovers, beautiful and emotional journey of two best friends united by grief and unconditional love.
This book has everything you don’t know you need, it will you make feel everything, it has a lot of funny moments too so don’t be scared you’ll be depressed lol has a happy ending too, cannot reccomed this enough.
Best friends to lovers, beautiful and emotional journey of two best friends united by grief and unconditional love.
This book has everything you don’t know you need, it will you make feel everything, it has a lot of funny moments too so don’t be scared you’ll be depressed lol has a happy ending too, cannot reccomed this enough.
dnf
September 12, 2024Audio - Intolerable
Story - DNF 56%
I don't know if it was the narrators' performances or the writing, but the delivery was a bit stiff (and I'm not talking about the mouthwatering kind).
So, it's a dnf for me and a "I'm glad you loved it" to all of my fellow Goodreadians who connected with the book. :-)
Story - DNF 56%
I don't know if it was the narrators' performances or the writing, but the delivery was a bit stiff (and I'm not talking about the mouthwatering kind).
So, it's a dnf for me and a "I'm glad you loved it" to all of my fellow Goodreadians who connected with the book. :-)
September 9, 2025
I’m usually not a fan of military romance and the whole “fighting for freedom” motto, but Brandt and West were really cute together, even when they were just platonic friends, because seriously, the way they behaved wasn’t very platonic LOL.
May 7, 2024
New-to-me author and I'm not sure I clicked with her writing style.
The blurb ticked a lot of my boxes and the overall story was fine. It's told in dual POV and the beginning worked very well for me. Brandt is starting to notice things about his best friend West as they are both deployed. When a mission goes very wrong they are sent back to the US and West has lost his leg while Brandt has suffered severe scarring and PTS. West is in a bad place and Brandt takes care of him 24/7 from the moment he is allowed to be by his side in the hospital and then moves in when they are home. From here on, the story started to take a decline for me.
The men have pretty much the same "voice" and with jarring scene transitions I often had difficulty knowing who was speaking. Other than severe outbursts when West was in a dark moment I had a hard time knowing who was who. I also had trouble telling how much time was passing in the story. These things combined added to the feeling that the book was very long and somewhat repetitive.
It also became very much West's book. Even though we are in both their heads, very little is given to Brandt's recovery and his mental state .
This is a double bi-awakening but it really is mostly on West's side as Brandt had mostly admitted to his attraction early on. These guys are sweet together and there is a good cast of side characters. They had great banter and there was a great support system with the potential for a number of them getting stories. I'm just not sure that the writing (or potentially lack of editing) works for me enough for me to try the next.
The blurb ticked a lot of my boxes and the overall story was fine. It's told in dual POV and the beginning worked very well for me. Brandt is starting to notice things about his best friend West as they are both deployed. When a mission goes very wrong they are sent back to the US and West has lost his leg while Brandt has suffered severe scarring and PTS. West is in a bad place and Brandt takes care of him 24/7 from the moment he is allowed to be by his side in the hospital and then moves in when they are home. From here on, the story started to take a decline for me.
The men have pretty much the same "voice" and with jarring scene transitions I often had difficulty knowing who was speaking. Other than severe outbursts when West was in a dark moment I had a hard time knowing who was who. I also had trouble telling how much time was passing in the story. These things combined added to the feeling that the book was very long and somewhat repetitive.
It also became very much West's book. Even though we are in both their heads, very little is given to Brandt's recovery and his mental state .
This is a double bi-awakening but it really is mostly on West's side as Brandt had mostly admitted to his attraction early on. These guys are sweet together and there is a good cast of side characters. They had great banter and there was a great support system with the potential for a number of them getting stories. I'm just not sure that the writing (or potentially lack of editing) works for me enough for me to try the next.
March 20, 2024
One of my favorite tropes is best friends to lovers. Add in a double bi-awakening (with demi-romantic vibes), found family, and a whole heaping of hurt-comfort and that is a recipe for something great.
West and Brandt are best friends and have been since the early days in their military careers. They are on the same team and are each others’ most important person in life (no family/distant familial relations, etc.). They are each others’ family.
A mission goes wrong and they are severely wounded (TW - loss of a limb), lose the rest of their team (they die not just lose track of them), and are sent home to be discharged and start the long journey of recovery (both physical, but mostly mental). West, in particular, struggles deeply with his grief and his mental health journey is HARD (TW - suicide attempts). But Brandt is there for him every step of the way - through his physical recovery and helping him deal with his mental health.
Throughout all of this - these men realize that they are attracted to each other and introduce sex into their relationship. I found the relationship aspect not that angsty. They admit they have loved the other fiercely for years, they just touch each other differently now. But underneath it all it’s still the same West and Brandt as always. These two get pretty darn sweet and romantic near the end 😍Brandt is book boyfriend goals. What an amazing man.
Another aspect I loved about this book was the found family. They join a group of veteran soldiers also dealing with the aftermath of their careers and where it has left them physically, mentally, etc. and how to move on in the regular world that sometimes feels alien to them. I loved these men and their little group dynamic and just how absolutely loyal they were to each other. No questions asked, they would be there for each other. You could feel the love between them all. It was beautiful.
I am interested in reading more in this series and would love to see something happen with Stiles & McCormick 🙏
West and Brandt are best friends and have been since the early days in their military careers. They are on the same team and are each others’ most important person in life (no family/distant familial relations, etc.). They are each others’ family.
A mission goes wrong and they are severely wounded (TW - loss of a limb), lose the rest of their team (they die not just lose track of them), and are sent home to be discharged and start the long journey of recovery (both physical, but mostly mental). West, in particular, struggles deeply with his grief and his mental health journey is HARD (TW - suicide attempts). But Brandt is there for him every step of the way - through his physical recovery and helping him deal with his mental health.
Throughout all of this - these men realize that they are attracted to each other and introduce sex into their relationship. I found the relationship aspect not that angsty. They admit they have loved the other fiercely for years, they just touch each other differently now. But underneath it all it’s still the same West and Brandt as always. These two get pretty darn sweet and romantic near the end 😍Brandt is book boyfriend goals. What an amazing man.
Another aspect I loved about this book was the found family. They join a group of veteran soldiers also dealing with the aftermath of their careers and where it has left them physically, mentally, etc. and how to move on in the regular world that sometimes feels alien to them. I loved these men and their little group dynamic and just how absolutely loyal they were to each other. No questions asked, they would be there for each other. You could feel the love between them all. It was beautiful.
I am interested in reading more in this series and would love to see something happen with Stiles & McCormick 🙏
September 12, 2024
Audio: 3 stars for Lance West (Brandt) and 3 stars for Curtis Michael Holland (West)
Book: 3.5-4 stars
This book was good, but hard at the same time. The amount of emotion turmoil that they both go through is tough to read about. You feel for both characters but for me I felt for Brandt more, how he was the constant support and making sure West knew he was wanted and loved.
I did like the Bitches, and I think we are going to get more of their stories later in the series 🤞🏼!
I know that when I reread this when the other books come out in audio that I will probably enjoy this more the second time. I will say please look at the triggers before hand if you do get triggered.
Overall a great read and I am excited to pick up more from this author in the future. I saw that this series and another series of hers is going to be on audio, so I’ll wait to pick them up when she releases those!
Book: 3.5-4 stars
This book was good, but hard at the same time. The amount of emotion turmoil that they both go through is tough to read about. You feel for both characters but for me I felt for Brandt more, how he was the constant support and making sure West knew he was wanted and loved.
I did like the Bitches, and I think we are going to get more of their stories later in the series 🤞🏼!
I know that when I reread this when the other books come out in audio that I will probably enjoy this more the second time. I will say please look at the triggers before hand if you do get triggered.
Overall a great read and I am excited to pick up more from this author in the future. I saw that this series and another series of hers is going to be on audio, so I’ll wait to pick them up when she releases those!
February 20, 2025
„There’s no beginning and no end to us. We are one. And where one goes, the other follows.“
I loved this book so much, it really got me at some points but I do have to say I haven’t cried but it wrecked me nevertheless!
This is a story of healing, acceptance, and passion, with military themes and strong disability representation. The relationship between Brandt and West felt authentic, building from trust and understanding into something truly powerful.
The intimacy in this book is both tender and raw, perfectly captured in moments like “There’s no part of you I wouldn’t lick.”
It’s not just about attraction—it’s about fully seeing and accepting someone, scars and all.
“Your body is beautiful. You’re a soldier. A warrior.”
This book had so money beautiful quotes and
moments between Brandt and West that I lost count on them.
The romance is definitely intense, but it never rushed the emotional depth nor was the pacing off. The characters felt real, their struggles and vulnerabilities laid bare, making their love story that much more powerful.
This was truly a beautifully written, memorable read that I’ll definitely revisit.
I loved this book so much, it really got me at some points but I do have to say I haven’t cried but it wrecked me nevertheless!
This is a story of healing, acceptance, and passion, with military themes and strong disability representation. The relationship between Brandt and West felt authentic, building from trust and understanding into something truly powerful.
The intimacy in this book is both tender and raw, perfectly captured in moments like “There’s no part of you I wouldn’t lick.”
It’s not just about attraction—it’s about fully seeing and accepting someone, scars and all.
“Your body is beautiful. You’re a soldier. A warrior.”
This book had so money beautiful quotes and
moments between Brandt and West that I lost count on them.
The romance is definitely intense, but it never rushed the emotional depth nor was the pacing off. The characters felt real, their struggles and vulnerabilities laid bare, making their love story that much more powerful.
This was truly a beautifully written, memorable read that I’ll definitely revisit.
September 13, 2024
4 audio stars for Brandt's narrator
3 audio stars for West's narrator
2.75 disappointing stars story
I don't normally write extensive reviews but I need to get my disappointment in the book off my chest. This book had ALL the tropes I absolutely love and look for in MMR.
bi-awaking
scarred/amputee MC
hurt/comfort
Military MC
co-dependency
best friends to lovers
I really thought I hit the jackpot when my sister @Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️1#AUDIOBOOKADDICT added this book to our library. But unfortunately this story fell flat for me. The MC’s were 1 dimensional, and lacked character development. The relationship dynamic was shit. Brandt stayed strong throughout the story for West, but not once was West ever strong for Brandt.
The author glossed over Brandt’s issues. I understand that Brandt didn’t lose a limb like West, but fuck! Brandt suffered through the same explosion and loss of friends as Brandt did. She only focused on what West was going through and even then it wasn’t as in depth as it should have been. West attempted to commit suicide twice!!! But she just glossed over those scenes with no emotional follow up. As for the sex scenes they were awkward as fuck. Brandt was the only one giving head. Not once did West reciprocate. And finally I kept forgetting that both MCs were in their 30’s because they acted more like guy in their early 20’s.
There is so much more but I am just done! This book left me depressed.
3 audio stars for West's narrator
2.75 disappointing stars story
I don't normally write extensive reviews but I need to get my disappointment in the book off my chest. This book had ALL the tropes I absolutely love and look for in MMR.
bi-awaking
scarred/amputee MC
hurt/comfort
Military MC
co-dependency
best friends to lovers
I really thought I hit the jackpot when my sister @Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️1#AUDIOBOOKADDICT added this book to our library. But unfortunately this story fell flat for me. The MC’s were 1 dimensional, and lacked character development. The relationship dynamic was shit. Brandt stayed strong throughout the story for West, but not once was West ever strong for Brandt.
The author glossed over Brandt’s issues. I understand that Brandt didn’t lose a limb like West, but fuck! Brandt suffered through the same explosion and loss of friends as Brandt did. She only focused on what West was going through and even then it wasn’t as in depth as it should have been. West attempted to commit suicide twice!!! But she just glossed over those scenes with no emotional follow up. As for the sex scenes they were awkward as fuck. Brandt was the only one giving head. Not once did West reciprocate. And finally I kept forgetting that both MCs were in their 30’s because they acted more like guy in their early 20’s.
There is so much more but I am just done! This book left me depressed.
September 11, 2024
What a spectacular read! Proof Of Life was so well written by Raquel Riley, it hit me with so many feels! West and Brandt had me on an emotional roller coaster, the ups and downs, highs and lows, the hotness, I'm here for it all! I just loved their relationship and how it budded into more than friendship. It was everything! And I also loved the B*tches with Stitches, they were so freaking awesome and look forward to more of their stories! Really awesome start to a new series, loved it!
Just reread via audiobook, and it was fantastic! I laughed, I cried, and just felt so much emotion. Lance West and Curtis Michael Holland did an amazing job, loved it so much!
Just reread via audiobook, and it was fantastic! I laughed, I cried, and just felt so much emotion. Lance West and Curtis Michael Holland did an amazing job, loved it so much!
March 30, 2024
this book took me out in the best fucking way omg 😭
March 19, 2024
This book is a really good hurt comfort book❤️ It made me cry several times, for being sad, for their HEA, it’s just beautifully written ❤️ The perfect best friends to lovers ❤️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
February 1, 2025
Czy ta książka zasługuje na pięć gwiazdek?
Nie mam pewności, ale szczerze mówiąc mam na to wyrąbane, bo jest pierwszą od miesiąca, która naprawdę przykuła moją uwagę i którą skończyłam w dwa dni, czyli normalnie. W końcu 😁
Dużo rzeczy mi się w niej naprawdę podobało, jak choćby walka Westa z wyjścia z mrocznego miejsca, z którego tak naprawdę wcale nie chciał wychodzić, czy Brandt, który naprawdę pokazał, co to znaczy lojalność, miłość i prawdziwa walka o tego, którego się kocha. Jedno i drugie było prawdziwe.
Na epilogu zaszkliły mi się oczy...
A the Bitches with Stitches totalnie wymiatali 😁
Nie mam pewności, ale szczerze mówiąc mam na to wyrąbane, bo jest pierwszą od miesiąca, która naprawdę przykuła moją uwagę i którą skończyłam w dwa dni, czyli normalnie. W końcu 😁
Dużo rzeczy mi się w niej naprawdę podobało, jak choćby walka Westa z wyjścia z mrocznego miejsca, z którego tak naprawdę wcale nie chciał wychodzić, czy Brandt, który naprawdę pokazał, co to znaczy lojalność, miłość i prawdziwa walka o tego, którego się kocha. Jedno i drugie było prawdziwe.
Na epilogu zaszkliły mi się oczy...
A the Bitches with Stitches totalnie wymiatali 😁
March 14, 2024
🧶If you’re looking for something that will rip you apart, and put you back together, something to cry over.
🧶If you need to laugh, or you need to read about best friends that are there for each other through the worst time of their life, ones that get intimate, ones that share their nightmares and survive.
🧶If you need two broken men that join a group of other broken men and knit then take the piss out of each other, a book that deals with real life mental illness and physical disability, a book that will punch you in the gut, but in all the right ways!!
🧶Then you need this book!! Proof of Life is one of my favourite books by Raquel (with the exception of my Wild!) She put her heart into these men and helped them to heal.
You will absolutely love West and Brandt, you will experience this journey with them and you will be left wanting more from the crew who are “Bitches with Stitches”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
There are big trigger warnings for this book, make sure your read them if your sensitive to them 🫶🏻
🦿Double bi awakening
🦿Army
🦿Best friends
🦿Healing
🦿Angst
🦿Disability
🦿Mental health
🦿Hurt/Comfort
🦿Banter
🧶Men that knit
🧶If you need to laugh, or you need to read about best friends that are there for each other through the worst time of their life, ones that get intimate, ones that share their nightmares and survive.
🧶If you need two broken men that join a group of other broken men and knit then take the piss out of each other, a book that deals with real life mental illness and physical disability, a book that will punch you in the gut, but in all the right ways!!
🧶Then you need this book!! Proof of Life is one of my favourite books by Raquel (with the exception of my Wild!) She put her heart into these men and helped them to heal.
You will absolutely love West and Brandt, you will experience this journey with them and you will be left wanting more from the crew who are “Bitches with Stitches”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
There are big trigger warnings for this book, make sure your read them if your sensitive to them 🫶🏻
🦿Double bi awakening
🦿Army
🦿Best friends
🦿Healing
🦿Angst
🦿Disability
🦿Mental health
🦿Hurt/Comfort
🦿Banter
🧶Men that knit
March 21, 2024
West and Brandt ❤️
5 Incredible Stars ⭐️
First and foremost this book was absolutely incredible, West and Brandt's journey is one of the most heartwarming love stories that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. This was so much more than a friends to lovers read, the heaviness of what these two have been through and lost is gut wrenching. As you read this book you will feel that weight right down to your soul, which is a true testament to the excellence of Rachel Riley's writing. My heart literally wept for both men for different reasons. It wept for West when he was so broken, depressed and angry that he lost his will to carry on and for Brandt's strength and support to never let West spiral into the darkness that tried to consume him because "With three legs you can't fall" ❤️. I am not ashamed to say this book made me cry and cry some more but it also had a humor that balanced out the weighted subjects and left you feeling lighter and satisfied. This is most definitely the book that makes you sad halfway through thinking that it's going to end and you aren't ready to say goodbye just yet, I could have read thousands of pages of this story. The spicy times were spicy 🔥 and their explosive chemistry was on point. I also freaking adored the side characters, I loved them all and I need soooo much more from them. I also wanted to give kudos to the realistic depiction of what it means to serve in the United States military, challenge coins and all. This book will hold a special place in my heart not only because it was a beautiful love story, it also brought justice to some very special disabled USMC veterans in my life. I would give this book 1000 Stars if I could, trust me this book will be one if not the best in 2024. I have read hundreds of romances and this one easily slid right to the top, it's just that good.
* I received an ARC from this author, this is my open and honest review *
5 Incredible Stars ⭐️
First and foremost this book was absolutely incredible, West and Brandt's journey is one of the most heartwarming love stories that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. This was so much more than a friends to lovers read, the heaviness of what these two have been through and lost is gut wrenching. As you read this book you will feel that weight right down to your soul, which is a true testament to the excellence of Rachel Riley's writing. My heart literally wept for both men for different reasons. It wept for West when he was so broken, depressed and angry that he lost his will to carry on and for Brandt's strength and support to never let West spiral into the darkness that tried to consume him because "With three legs you can't fall" ❤️. I am not ashamed to say this book made me cry and cry some more but it also had a humor that balanced out the weighted subjects and left you feeling lighter and satisfied. This is most definitely the book that makes you sad halfway through thinking that it's going to end and you aren't ready to say goodbye just yet, I could have read thousands of pages of this story. The spicy times were spicy 🔥 and their explosive chemistry was on point. I also freaking adored the side characters, I loved them all and I need soooo much more from them. I also wanted to give kudos to the realistic depiction of what it means to serve in the United States military, challenge coins and all. This book will hold a special place in my heart not only because it was a beautiful love story, it also brought justice to some very special disabled USMC veterans in my life. I would give this book 1000 Stars if I could, trust me this book will be one if not the best in 2024. I have read hundreds of romances and this one easily slid right to the top, it's just that good.
* I received an ARC from this author, this is my open and honest review *
March 14, 2024
A heart-wrenching & STEAMY MM friends to lovers romance with beautiful friendship, amusing banter, Sexual awakenings (x 2!), Heart aching loss & life after it, heavy themes of mental health, new starts, fun found family & most importantly, HOPE.
I loved Brandt & West! Devoured my #ARC within 8hrs. So happy I got ❤️.
West & Brandt have decade of friendship due to their time in military. Then a tragedy on field leaves them medically discharge, wounded. Losses cuts deep.
West was their charming team leader who is now swarmed with enormous guilt, hopelessness. Brandt is with West in every step, he's such a ruthless angel! B's sassy to W's sarcastic, light to his new darkness, optimist to pessimist. A reason to live.
The book deals with heavy themes of PTSD, anxiety, suicide attempts etc. At its core, it is a story of EMOTIONAL HEALING—a lot of angst comes from it. B+W's affectionate friendship to Bi-awakening x2 to love is on relatively lower angst & sweet side (thankfully!). Love me the vers HOTness 😆. I love the relief of their banters, tough love, BALLS organization & found family! Loved their HEA & epilogues ❤️. Excited for more!
My only qualm? I wanted more of these 2! Maybe a bonus of their business daily lol.
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥺❤️😳🤯😢🤗😁😆😣😬🥰🥵🙁😅😊
4) Steamy scenes: 3.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4/5
Angst: 3.5/5
Dark/Heavy themes: 3.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Friends to Lovers, Emotional Healing) 4.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.6/5
I loved Brandt & West! Devoured my #ARC within 8hrs. So happy I got ❤️.
West & Brandt have decade of friendship due to their time in military. Then a tragedy on field leaves them medically discharge, wounded. Losses cuts deep.
West was their charming team leader who is now swarmed with enormous guilt, hopelessness. Brandt is with West in every step, he's such a ruthless angel! B's sassy to W's sarcastic, light to his new darkness, optimist to pessimist. A reason to live.
The book deals with heavy themes of PTSD, anxiety, suicide attempts etc. At its core, it is a story of EMOTIONAL HEALING—a lot of angst comes from it. B+W's affectionate friendship to Bi-awakening x2 to love is on relatively lower angst & sweet side (thankfully!). Love me the vers HOTness 😆. I love the relief of their banters, tough love, BALLS organization & found family! Loved their HEA & epilogues ❤️. Excited for more!
My only qualm? I wanted more of these 2! Maybe a bonus of their business daily lol.
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥺❤️😳🤯😢🤗😁😆😣😬🥰🥵🙁😅😊
4) Steamy scenes: 3.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4/5
Angst: 3.5/5
Dark/Heavy themes: 3.5/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Friends to Lovers, Emotional Healing) 4.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.6/5
March 23, 2024
Ok.....seriously. This book was so beautifully written! West and Brandt and their friendship first of all-epic, hilarious,healing....I just loved them! A best friends to lovers will always get me but these two, their love story is filled with so much hurt, but also hope, and the journey to choosing to live. I don't want to ruin it and say more but seriously....they are just men you want to wrap up and tuck in your pocket and keep them safe.
On to the side characters and the found family of men that Brandt and West are embraced by-my opinion-utterly magnificent! Seriously when you meet them you cannot help but smile. They are perfection-and I would be remiss if I leave out the marvelous Betty Beasley....when you get there....OMG!
As many serious topics this book embraces it is laced with the humor and jokes that only best friends can bring to the table to help alleviate. The hard and serious moments were effortlessly interrupted by the ridiculousness these men could be to each other at times.
Heed her trigger warnings. Don't think you can handle it...make sure you know you can. I've seen the effects of PTS and other things from Vets and these topics are not glossed over in this book. BUT if you can-do read this. It's amazing!
On to the side characters and the found family of men that Brandt and West are embraced by-my opinion-utterly magnificent! Seriously when you meet them you cannot help but smile. They are perfection-and I would be remiss if I leave out the marvelous Betty Beasley....when you get there....OMG!
As many serious topics this book embraces it is laced with the humor and jokes that only best friends can bring to the table to help alleviate. The hard and serious moments were effortlessly interrupted by the ridiculousness these men could be to each other at times.
Heed her trigger warnings. Don't think you can handle it...make sure you know you can. I've seen the effects of PTS and other things from Vets and these topics are not glossed over in this book. BUT if you can-do read this. It's amazing!
October 27, 2024
Wow. WOW. Wow. I need to thank my IG book friend for starting this series, babbling about it, and convincing me to read it. This book has SO much going for it - it’s not just a spicy romance story. It’s about so much more. Deep friendship, brotherhood, darkness and finding your way out despite many, many set backs, having someone who won’t sugar coat things and helps pull you out of that darkness. Brandt is everything you could ever want in a partner!!! West hit the freaking jackpot. And the ending? Oh my, I shed sooo many tears. Bring on book 2 in the trilogy!
August 5, 2024
I'm going to just say..... I think this is a good story, but it is not a good romance.
To the point that I enjoyed the veterans' interactions more than the romance. I loved the Bitches.
Is there an undercurrent of love? Yes. But for me it read more like a healing story, and finding yourself after a traumatic event.
Which brings me to my next issue. This......didn't read like a double bi-awakening either. Brandt was very much into West from the jump. And West may or may not have been aware of it but he was also not very platonic with Brandt prior to the event.
These men were making eye contact while jerking off less than 6% into the book. But to be fair it's the first time either of them acts on it with another man so maybe that counts.
I like a bit of give and take in my romance, and while I agree that West needed a lot of healing and Brandt was the greenest of flags in being there for him, it was at the expense of Brandt's own wellness.
More than once, he had to put aside his own pain to cater to West's. It was a recurrent thing. He doesn't get to process his own trauma, a lot of which is directly due to West. The number of times he had to freak out over foiling yet another suicide attempt. Only to have to do it again a few days later.
But for Brandt, it was always West first. No matter what.
"I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“I know who you are."
“Three legs, huh? Can’t fall with three legs.”
“We’re a fucking tripod, baby. We’re never gonna fall, and we’re never gonna lose our way.”
“Don’t forget, just because I’m not with you doesn’t mean you don’t have my legs.”
That said, whichever way I choose to look at it, Brandt was very willing to do whatever it took for West. So at least it had unconditional unwavering devotion.
This book is very 'I'll hold us both up until you're able to stand on your own, and then I'll stand with you.'
Both for the healing and the love.
To the point that I enjoyed the veterans' interactions more than the romance. I loved the Bitches.
Is there an undercurrent of love? Yes. But for me it read more like a healing story, and finding yourself after a traumatic event.
Which brings me to my next issue. This......didn't read like a double bi-awakening either. Brandt was very much into West from the jump. And West may or may not have been aware of it but he was also not very platonic with Brandt prior to the event.
These men were making eye contact while jerking off less than 6% into the book. But to be fair it's the first time either of them acts on it with another man so maybe that counts.
I like a bit of give and take in my romance, and while I agree that West needed a lot of healing and Brandt was the greenest of flags in being there for him, it was at the expense of Brandt's own wellness.
More than once, he had to put aside his own pain to cater to West's. It was a recurrent thing. He doesn't get to process his own trauma, a lot of which is directly due to West. The number of times he had to freak out over foiling yet another suicide attempt. Only to have to do it again a few days later.
But for Brandt, it was always West first. No matter what.
"I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“I know who you are."
“Three legs, huh? Can’t fall with three legs.”
“We’re a fucking tripod, baby. We’re never gonna fall, and we’re never gonna lose our way.”
“Don’t forget, just because I’m not with you doesn’t mean you don’t have my legs.”
That said, whichever way I choose to look at it, Brandt was very willing to do whatever it took for West. So at least it had unconditional unwavering devotion.
This book is very 'I'll hold us both up until you're able to stand on your own, and then I'll stand with you.'
Both for the healing and the love.
March 27, 2024
DNF at 44% because the dialog was so damn bad. I simply couldn’t get past how wholly unbelievable the character development, relationship and dialog was unfolding. I’m giving this one star because the combat/military parts of the story were clearly well researched and written.
Read
October 30, 2024Dnf @ 47% in
I dislike when one person trauma is overlooked and that’s what was happening in this book.. they both suffered and survived, they are both going through things but one person is being focused more on and the other is being overlooked.
I dislike when one person trauma is overlooked and that’s what was happening in this book.. they both suffered and survived, they are both going through things but one person is being focused more on and the other is being overlooked.
August 18, 2025
2.75⭐
I was hooked for the first almost half of the story. It's a military romance, it has strong characters and intense affection and loyalty that stemmed from a 12-year old friendship. What could go wrong?
Then it lost me.
Over 300 pages of repetition that never delivered on the emotional payoff. Too long, too repetitive, and ultimately, disappointing.
🟢 Military vets, Afghanistan
🟠 Best friends to lovers
🟣 Double bi awakening
🔵 Age gap 32/35
🟡 TBI, loss of limbs, wounds, therapy, discharge, attempt of suicide, support group
🌶️ Sex is quite good and descriptive; rimming, oral, kissing, a lot of holding and cuddling, a few penetrative scenes; both vers
West and Brandt have been inseparable since enlisting together. Best friends and after 12 years of shared secrets, private moments, and unwavering loyalty, it feels inevitable that something will finally give.
A devastating mission in Afghanistan leaves them as the only survivors. Back home, West struggles with a missing leg and TBI and Brandt moves in to help. What starts as care and a little experimentation soon deepens, fueled by their strong bond and the trauma they survived together.
Their friendship evolves into a relationship, but the story doesn’t fully live up to the emotional depth and intensity that it sets up.
First of all, the story focuses far more on West and his trauma than on Brandt. We don’t get much insight into Brandt or how he’s coping. I liked him, and his feelings and desire for West are what drive the story and pull West in, but their relationship never shows the closeness or intensity I expected. They keep saying they’re all each other has, but it almost felt like settling.
Brandt was too poetic with how he was expressing his desire for West and West just didn't seem all in. He never fully let go.
The story also suffers from jumps in time. Scenes are developed and then left behind, days or weeks pass, and we have no idea how Brandt and West are processing everything in between.
As a result, it doesn’t feel like a fully rounded story or a well-developed relationship. It comes across more as two broken people who have no other option but to be with each other, because they're as broken as they are.
The side characters just made a bigger mess of the story, so I didn't really like anything. I'll rate it anyway, being completely objective, but I can't recommend it.
I was hooked for the first almost half of the story. It's a military romance, it has strong characters and intense affection and loyalty that stemmed from a 12-year old friendship. What could go wrong?
Then it lost me.
Over 300 pages of repetition that never delivered on the emotional payoff. Too long, too repetitive, and ultimately, disappointing.
🟢 Military vets, Afghanistan
🟠 Best friends to lovers
🟣 Double bi awakening
🔵 Age gap 32/35
🟡 TBI, loss of limbs, wounds, therapy, discharge, attempt of suicide, support group
🌶️ Sex is quite good and descriptive; rimming, oral, kissing, a lot of holding and cuddling, a few penetrative scenes; both vers
West and Brandt have been inseparable since enlisting together. Best friends and after 12 years of shared secrets, private moments, and unwavering loyalty, it feels inevitable that something will finally give.
A devastating mission in Afghanistan leaves them as the only survivors. Back home, West struggles with a missing leg and TBI and Brandt moves in to help. What starts as care and a little experimentation soon deepens, fueled by their strong bond and the trauma they survived together.
Their friendship evolves into a relationship, but the story doesn’t fully live up to the emotional depth and intensity that it sets up.
First of all, the story focuses far more on West and his trauma than on Brandt. We don’t get much insight into Brandt or how he’s coping. I liked him, and his feelings and desire for West are what drive the story and pull West in, but their relationship never shows the closeness or intensity I expected. They keep saying they’re all each other has, but it almost felt like settling.
Brandt was too poetic with how he was expressing his desire for West and West just didn't seem all in. He never fully let go.
The story also suffers from jumps in time. Scenes are developed and then left behind, days or weeks pass, and we have no idea how Brandt and West are processing everything in between.
As a result, it doesn’t feel like a fully rounded story or a well-developed relationship. It comes across more as two broken people who have no other option but to be with each other, because they're as broken as they are.
The side characters just made a bigger mess of the story, so I didn't really like anything. I'll rate it anyway, being completely objective, but I can't recommend it.
April 12, 2025
West y Brant se conocen y han sido mejores amigos desde que iniciaron en el ejercito. Han estado juntos en dos despliegues, en el mismo batallón. Son mejores amigos, inseparables, pero cuando lo peor ocurre y tienen que aprender a vivir de nuevo, la conexión entre ellos se vuelve mucho mas profunda. Serán capaces de sobrevivir después de todo? Que pasará entre ellos? Perderán su amistad o ganaran algo mucho mejor?
Este libro es una descripción bastante fuerte de la mentalidad de un sobreviviente de la guerra. Por lo menos la mitad de libro se enfoca en la lucha de West para vivir un día mas, para ver mas allá de sus problemas. Sin embargo, el romance es bastante sencillo, la "pequeña" lucha interna de West es casi secundaria, con lo que respecta al drama principal que es su superación. Además, me parece que el autor se enfoco mucho en West con sus problemas físicos y psicológicos, y se olvido un poco de Brant y sus problemas, enfocando con él solo el romance.
En fin, es un libro muy entretenido, muy fuerte emocionalmente, pero que te hace pensar en esas personas que regresan de la guerra y todo lo que les cuesta volver a adaptarse al mundo "civil". Es seguro que continuare con la serie, quiero saber mucho mas de los otros personajes, y como van a conseguir sus "felices para siempre".
Este libro es una descripción bastante fuerte de la mentalidad de un sobreviviente de la guerra. Por lo menos la mitad de libro se enfoca en la lucha de West para vivir un día mas, para ver mas allá de sus problemas. Sin embargo, el romance es bastante sencillo, la "pequeña" lucha interna de West es casi secundaria, con lo que respecta al drama principal que es su superación. Además, me parece que el autor se enfoco mucho en West con sus problemas físicos y psicológicos, y se olvido un poco de Brant y sus problemas, enfocando con él solo el romance.
En fin, es un libro muy entretenido, muy fuerte emocionalmente, pero que te hace pensar en esas personas que regresan de la guerra y todo lo que les cuesta volver a adaptarse al mundo "civil". Es seguro que continuare con la serie, quiero saber mucho mas de los otros personajes, y como van a conseguir sus "felices para siempre".
March 23, 2025
reread~march2025
to be brutally honest, i have not been loving the other books in this series. that includes the newest spin-off book, hot doggin'. they've been good, even great, at times, but they haven't even come close to the heights of proof of life. brandt and west brought everything i wanted from a story like this. angst, angst, romance, slow-burn, and more angst. also, this is a clear example of how to do the friends-to-lovers trope right. when you look up that trope you'll see west and brandt.
i think the issue i've had with the other books in the series is that they've all felt a lot more surface level, romance-wise. for example, the darkness within had a good setup, and then ruined it with the intense insta-love. i guess that's why i was so excited about hot doggin' because stiles and mccormick were friends first, alas ...
i think the only thing that stopped me from giving proof of life five stars is the lack of focus on brandt, and his issues. like, i get it, it's not the trauma olympics. however, my mans was going through some stuff too. bro bro fully lost hearing in one ear and has literal shrapnel in his body. it's mentioned in passing that he's also going through some depression and suicidal ideation, but is never touched on meaningfully. wish we had gotten a few more scenes of west taking care of brandt.
all in all, though, still a fantastic book. i'm still waiting for another book in this series to even come close to it. s-tier all the way.
***
and to think i had plans this morning, ha fucking ha. i picked up proof of life on a whim and have zero regrets. west and brandt were everything, the bitches were hilarious, and i cannot wait for the next book in the series.
“will you look after my heart?”
this motherfucker always knows what to say to pull me from my shit-spiral. “you trust me with your heart?”
“there’s no one i trust more.”
to be brutally honest, i have not been loving the other books in this series. that includes the newest spin-off book, hot doggin'. they've been good, even great, at times, but they haven't even come close to the heights of proof of life. brandt and west brought everything i wanted from a story like this. angst, angst, romance, slow-burn, and more angst. also, this is a clear example of how to do the friends-to-lovers trope right. when you look up that trope you'll see west and brandt.
i think the issue i've had with the other books in the series is that they've all felt a lot more surface level, romance-wise. for example, the darkness within had a good setup, and then ruined it with the intense insta-love. i guess that's why i was so excited about hot doggin' because stiles and mccormick were friends first, alas ...
“i can’t watch you self-destruct. i can’t watch you take your life, not when it means so fucking much to me, west. you mean so much to me.” his voice chokes up. “i don’t want to be left alone in the darkness, either.”
i think the only thing that stopped me from giving proof of life five stars is the lack of focus on brandt, and his issues. like, i get it, it's not the trauma olympics. however, my mans was going through some stuff too. bro bro fully lost hearing in one ear and has literal shrapnel in his body. it's mentioned in passing that he's also going through some depression and suicidal ideation, but is never touched on meaningfully. wish we had gotten a few more scenes of west taking care of brandt.
all in all, though, still a fantastic book. i'm still waiting for another book in this series to even come close to it. s-tier all the way.
***
“three legs, huh? can’t fall with three legs.”
“we’re a fucking tripod, baby. we’re never gonna fall, and we’re never gonna lose our way.”
and to think i had plans this morning, ha fucking ha. i picked up proof of life on a whim and have zero regrets. west and brandt were everything, the bitches were hilarious, and i cannot wait for the next book in the series.
“you can be my wingman anytime.”
choking on a laugh that’s part sob, i say, “bullshit. you can be mine.”
April 11, 2024
I did enjoy the story, but it felt very one-sided. We constantly see Brandt helping out West in so many ways through his recovery. Physically, mentally, emotionally. But West wasn’t there for Brandt in the same way. Brandt was also dealing with the aftermath of everything that happened but West just wasn’t there for him and his recovery. Brandt was constantly having to push West to do better in his recovery & checking on him to make sure he was okay but how many times did West do that for Brandt? How many times did West ask Brandt how his recovery was going and how he was dealing? I can tell you not nearly as much as he should have. Brandt’s recovery took the back burner for West’s recovery. And yes I understand they were dealing with totally different injuries but West still could have been there for Brandt more than he was. Brandt wasn’t allowed to have bad days because that would just cause West to have bad days as well when it should have been West pulling Brandt through.
March 21, 2024
I'm not actually sure how to start this review. This is undoubtedly one of the best books I have read in a while and certainly the best army story I have ever read. It was gritty, emotional, dealt with some hard issues and about friendship and love. I would say to check the trigger warnings if you have any.
Army buddies West and Brandt have been friends for years. When they get caught in a big blast and West loses a leg and has a head trauma, it really puts their friendship to test. West is depressed but Brandt is determined to put him back together again while he is battling his own recovery. Somewhere along the line they start developing feelings for each other and start experimenting with each other. This was such a beautifully written story. Raquel's books are just getting better and better.
Army buddies West and Brandt have been friends for years. When they get caught in a big blast and West loses a leg and has a head trauma, it really puts their friendship to test. West is depressed but Brandt is determined to put him back together again while he is battling his own recovery. Somewhere along the line they start developing feelings for each other and start experimenting with each other. This was such a beautifully written story. Raquel's books are just getting better and better.
Read
March 23, 2024I rarely gravitate towards books that will wrench me emotionally and spit me out the other side, but last week Raquel asked me if I'd read Proof of Life yet and mentioned just how profoundly the characters spoke to her that I had to round up a couple of boxes of tissues and dive in...
and I'm glad I did... what emerged from a place of trauma and pain became such a remarkable and sweet HEA that was so hard won... with a slow building best friends to lovers story that triumphs over hurt, loss and incredible pain to get to a place of more than just Proof of Life.
Please heed the trigger warnings and know that this book is gritty, real and sometimes painful to read, but the heavy topics and pain are integral to the story and interspersed throughout.
and I'm glad I did... what emerged from a place of trauma and pain became such a remarkable and sweet HEA that was so hard won... with a slow building best friends to lovers story that triumphs over hurt, loss and incredible pain to get to a place of more than just Proof of Life.
Please heed the trigger warnings and know that this book is gritty, real and sometimes painful to read, but the heavy topics and pain are integral to the story and interspersed throughout.
April 2, 2024
This is the first book I actually enjoyed from this author. It was hard to read and it made me angry so many times but IMO it was done very well. The way they went from friends to lovers was also done in a believable way which helped connect with the characters even more. Such a hard topic but in a way it also gives much hope. Looking forward to the next book.
March 21, 2024
Not sure what happened here. Sounded like this book had everything I love… and yet I didn’t feel a single emotion while reading it. Just didn’t work for me. Sorry!
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