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Shattered: M/M Rescue Romance
Shattered is an M/M Rescue Romance novella. It is a stand-alone read.
Scarred and broken. I knew it wasn’t a fairytale. No kiss, no magic spell, was going to transform my monstrous, ugly face into a handsome prince. Why would a beauty like Jason kiss me, anyway? My hideous visage was set in stone. Even when he came to me for help, I knew that the sight of my ugly face would send him screaming in terror. Hidden behind the glass, all I could do was admire Jason’s unattainable beauty from afar. But not for long. He needed me, so I had to come out of the shadows and face his rejection.
Gay Romance. Running theme of domestic abuse, and violence. This story is intended for mature readers only who enjoy steamy male on male content.
Scarred and broken. I knew it wasn’t a fairytale. No kiss, no magic spell, was going to transform my monstrous, ugly face into a handsome prince. Why would a beauty like Jason kiss me, anyway? My hideous visage was set in stone. Even when he came to me for help, I knew that the sight of my ugly face would send him screaming in terror. Hidden behind the glass, all I could do was admire Jason’s unattainable beauty from afar. But not for long. He needed me, so I had to come out of the shadows and face his rejection.
Gay Romance. Running theme of domestic abuse, and violence. This story is intended for mature readers only who enjoy steamy male on male content.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2025
About the author
A.B Julian
19 books13 followers"Julian’s catalog explores the full spectrum of psychological and physical survival—from the visceral external conflicts of physical abuse to the invisible, 'open-door' cages of gaslighting and emotional manipulation." From Paper to Ashes Professional Book Reviewers.
About A.B Julian
A.B Julian holds an MA in Education and Forensic Psychology from the University of Toronto. When not teaching or living on an island with three cats, Ash is deep-diving into forensic research to craft the next high-stakes M/M romance.
The Bio Trap
The "Bio Trap"
Writing about myself is significantly harder than writing a psychological thriller. When I asked my boyfriend, Malcolm, to help, he called it a "trap" and wrote a bunch of lovely, poetic things that made me roll my eyes. He eventually told me, “There is no pleasing you, and that’s what you should put in your bio.”
He’s right! I am meticulous when it comes to the psychology of my characters. Whether it’s a fierce Enemies-to-Lovers rivalry or a gritty Rescue Romance, I demand that every character's journey is grounded in clinical reality.
The Science of the Story
I don't just write "tropes." I use my forensic background to explore the spectrum of human survival.
In my Enemies-to-Lovers books (like Hated: Care No More or I Hate You!), I lean into the chemistry of conflict between equals.
In my Psychological Thrillers (like Stifled), I draw on my research into government data and individual case studies to portray the "invisible bars" of gaslighting and emotional manipulation.
The Evolution of a Writer
Since my debut in 2016, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the readers who took a chance on me. Seeing my work evolve into titles like If I Met You First… and If I Didn’t Know Better—and hearing professional narrators like Alexander Cendese call my characters "bad ass"—has been the ultimate validation.
I sincerely appreciate every reader who values quality and authenticity. I hope you never stop taking chances on authors like me. Or mostly me.
Read my books—and expect a story that’s as psychologically sound as it is romantic.
About A.B Julian
A.B Julian holds an MA in Education and Forensic Psychology from the University of Toronto. When not teaching or living on an island with three cats, Ash is deep-diving into forensic research to craft the next high-stakes M/M romance.
The Bio Trap
The "Bio Trap"
Writing about myself is significantly harder than writing a psychological thriller. When I asked my boyfriend, Malcolm, to help, he called it a "trap" and wrote a bunch of lovely, poetic things that made me roll my eyes. He eventually told me, “There is no pleasing you, and that’s what you should put in your bio.”
He’s right! I am meticulous when it comes to the psychology of my characters. Whether it’s a fierce Enemies-to-Lovers rivalry or a gritty Rescue Romance, I demand that every character's journey is grounded in clinical reality.
The Science of the Story
I don't just write "tropes." I use my forensic background to explore the spectrum of human survival.
In my Enemies-to-Lovers books (like Hated: Care No More or I Hate You!), I lean into the chemistry of conflict between equals.
In my Psychological Thrillers (like Stifled), I draw on my research into government data and individual case studies to portray the "invisible bars" of gaslighting and emotional manipulation.
The Evolution of a Writer
Since my debut in 2016, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the readers who took a chance on me. Seeing my work evolve into titles like If I Met You First… and If I Didn’t Know Better—and hearing professional narrators like Alexander Cendese call my characters "bad ass"—has been the ultimate validation.
I sincerely appreciate every reader who values quality and authenticity. I hope you never stop taking chances on authors like me. Or mostly me.
Read my books—and expect a story that’s as psychologically sound as it is romantic.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 31, 2026
A somewhat shorter read with some particularly heavy themes. The difficulties were well written and solved, and the characters were written with good depth and sympathy. I'm really enjoying this author.
February 25, 2025
I know this'll make me sound like a bit of a creep but this is the fourth story I've read that's set around an abusive ex stalking his prey. I find them intriguing and I love the drama of it. This was a kind of beauty and the beast story (sorry Terrence) with a wicked demon as well, but it's a wonderful, enjoyable tale with a plot that keeps you going.
March 13, 2025
Shattered, in the Rescue Romance Series by AB Julian is a story that explores themes of trauma, self-doubt, vulnerability, and the complexities of love. Jason's past, (his involvement with Finn) is a source of terror that drives Jason to seek refuge in Terrence, someone who, despite his own scars. (Jason is physically perfect, while Terrence sees himself as monstrous due to his scars) and insecurities, becomes Jason's protector. Terrence, reluctant to embrace his feelings for Jason because of his self-worth issues and belief that their relationship can't work, ultimately learns to let go of his fears and open up.
I immediately felt that Jason is running from something, and Terrence is afraid of rejection. They both hide different kinds of wounds.
From the first chilling call, the narrative is filled with tension, emotional highs and lows, and physical confrontations. Their plight had me whirling with emotion, thinking to myself — What now?
The story is compelling because it explores an array of human emotions. The characters are well-developed, with Jason and Terrence each having deep layers that are revealed over time. Without this “deepening” the story would fall short of Julian’s silent promise to Julian's readers that his characters are heading for change, and the journey lies in the fulfillment of that change.
The suspense is an integral part of the plot, and had me cheering and jeering through emotional engagement, especially with the looming threat from Jason's past and the raw vulnerability the characters show.
Julian understands that finding strength in connection is a powerful path to a lasting relationship, and the romance is grounded in real struggles. Julian is a master when it comes to slow-burn tension followed by moments of intense hot stuff, and this weave adds depth to the narrative.
Overall, it’s a story of redemption, healing, and love, where both characters learn to confront their wounds both physical and emotional—and find strength in one another. Although the writing could have been tighter, I found Julian’s narrative entertaining and thought provoking, hence my five stars.
I immediately felt that Jason is running from something, and Terrence is afraid of rejection. They both hide different kinds of wounds.
From the first chilling call, the narrative is filled with tension, emotional highs and lows, and physical confrontations. Their plight had me whirling with emotion, thinking to myself — What now?
The story is compelling because it explores an array of human emotions. The characters are well-developed, with Jason and Terrence each having deep layers that are revealed over time. Without this “deepening” the story would fall short of Julian’s silent promise to Julian's readers that his characters are heading for change, and the journey lies in the fulfillment of that change.
The suspense is an integral part of the plot, and had me cheering and jeering through emotional engagement, especially with the looming threat from Jason's past and the raw vulnerability the characters show.
Julian understands that finding strength in connection is a powerful path to a lasting relationship, and the romance is grounded in real struggles. Julian is a master when it comes to slow-burn tension followed by moments of intense hot stuff, and this weave adds depth to the narrative.
Overall, it’s a story of redemption, healing, and love, where both characters learn to confront their wounds both physical and emotional—and find strength in one another. Although the writing could have been tighter, I found Julian’s narrative entertaining and thought provoking, hence my five stars.
May 19, 2026
This book for me is a 4/5. I really enjoyed reading it. The main characters are Jason a very handsome man running from someone in his past, and Terrence a man scarred by his. Terrence is fascinated by Hason for six months before they meet. When the two men meet things go well. Jason is being stalked by an ex and Terrence teaches him some self defense techniques. Terrence is scarred from a fire and thinks he is unlovable. Both men want each urger but are too scared to say what they want. Jason’s past is dating up to him. They need to do something.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews