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Godsend
You can’t choose who you fall in love with. Despite assuming from a young age that he was gay, Scott Murphy couldn’t imagine life without Shelly. He threw away the label he'd stuck on his sexuality and had eleven amazing years with her, but now, he feels even more lost trying to figure out how to move on after Shelly’s death. After nearly a year of watching Scott fade away, Shelly’s father forces him to start living again.
As much as Chris loathes the idea of attending a bereavement group week after week, it’s one of the only places he can go in this town, other than the bar, to not feel so alone. When there’s nothing to distract him or dull his senses, he spends too much time obsessing over how he should have been able to help his sister. When Scott shows up at his group session, Chris decides that maybe some good can come out of his sister’s death.
There’s no denying that Chris is the first man to catch Scott’s attention in a long time, but how can he move on when just thinking of Shelly sends him to his dark place?
The road to recovery won’t be an easy one, but Chris is determined to help Scott see that life is still worth living. But before Scott can allow himself to admit what he feels for Chris, he knows he has to reveal the full truth about Shelly’s death.
As much as Chris loathes the idea of attending a bereavement group week after week, it’s one of the only places he can go in this town, other than the bar, to not feel so alone. When there’s nothing to distract him or dull his senses, he spends too much time obsessing over how he should have been able to help his sister. When Scott shows up at his group session, Chris decides that maybe some good can come out of his sister’s death.
There’s no denying that Chris is the first man to catch Scott’s attention in a long time, but how can he move on when just thinking of Shelly sends him to his dark place?
The road to recovery won’t be an easy one, but Chris is determined to help Scott see that life is still worth living. But before Scott can allow himself to admit what he feels for Chris, he knows he has to reveal the full truth about Shelly’s death.
235 pages, ebook
First published February 4, 2015
47 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Sloan Johnson
26 books836 followersSloan Johnson is a big city girl trapped in a country girl’s body. While she longs for the hustle and bustle of New York City or Las Vegas, she hasn’t yet figured out how to sit on the deck with her morning coffee, watching the deer and wild turkeys in the fields while surrounded by concrete and glass.
When she was three, her parents received their first call from the principal asking them to pick her up from school. Apparently, if you aren’t enrolled, you can’t attend classes, even in Kindergarten. The next week, she was in preschool and started plotting her first story soon after.
Later in life, her parents needed to do something to help their socially awkward, uncoordinated child come out of her shell and figured there was no better place than a bar on Wednesday nights. It’s a good thing they did because this is where she found her love of reading and writing. Who needs socialization when you can sit alone in your bedroom with a good book?
Now, Sloan is a tattooed, purple haired mom of two kids, one of which was a thank you present to her husband for letting her get a Staffordshire Terrier with more anxiety issues than Sloan has, which is saying something. She’s been kicked out of the PTA in two school districts and is no longer asked to help with fundraisers because she’s been known to lose herself in a good book and forget that she has somewhere to be.
When she was three, her parents received their first call from the principal asking them to pick her up from school. Apparently, if you aren’t enrolled, you can’t attend classes, even in Kindergarten. The next week, she was in preschool and started plotting her first story soon after.
Later in life, her parents needed to do something to help their socially awkward, uncoordinated child come out of her shell and figured there was no better place than a bar on Wednesday nights. It’s a good thing they did because this is where she found her love of reading and writing. Who needs socialization when you can sit alone in your bedroom with a good book?
Now, Sloan is a tattooed, purple haired mom of two kids, one of which was a thank you present to her husband for letting her get a Staffordshire Terrier with more anxiety issues than Sloan has, which is saying something. She’s been kicked out of the PTA in two school districts and is no longer asked to help with fundraisers because she’s been known to lose herself in a good book and forget that she has somewhere to be.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
February 5, 2015
Wut?
Did a dead wife just narrate my gay romance to me?
I really can't figure out what I just read. After a friend said he wasn't sure whether he should be as offended by this as he was, I decided I'd give it a go. I walked in hoping he was being overdramatic. I was intrigued to see how the author would come back from the offensive (to take the word from another friend of mine) blurb. Lucky gay Scott's mother lucked out and found the one gay son who could choose to marry a woman and all that.
Let's be honest. In the end, Shelly was an unecesary characted. Could have easily been a husband. The prologue was cheap, unneeded emotional blackmail and I kept thinking WHY MUST SHE BE A WOMAN? It made no damn sense seeing as Scott was marketed as GAY, other than the author selling some Straight For You vibes and trying to make a quick buck off shock value. Very het romance, I'll give her that. But I thought that about Teach Me, as well, so I probably should have known better.
Aside from the offensive set-up, I assumed she'd save it with some substance. But there wasn't any. One dimensional characters, cheesy dialogue. I'm sure there are readers who won't mind it, but as a gay man I'm too jilted to ever read another book by Johnson ever again.
Did a dead wife just narrate my gay romance to me?
I really can't figure out what I just read. After a friend said he wasn't sure whether he should be as offended by this as he was, I decided I'd give it a go. I walked in hoping he was being overdramatic. I was intrigued to see how the author would come back from the offensive (to take the word from another friend of mine) blurb. Lucky gay Scott's mother lucked out and found the one gay son who could choose to marry a woman and all that.
Let's be honest. In the end, Shelly was an unecesary characted. Could have easily been a husband. The prologue was cheap, unneeded emotional blackmail and I kept thinking WHY MUST SHE BE A WOMAN? It made no damn sense seeing as Scott was marketed as GAY, other than the author selling some Straight For You vibes and trying to make a quick buck off shock value. Very het romance, I'll give her that. But I thought that about Teach Me, as well, so I probably should have known better.
Aside from the offensive set-up, I assumed she'd save it with some substance. But there wasn't any. One dimensional characters, cheesy dialogue. I'm sure there are readers who won't mind it, but as a gay man I'm too jilted to ever read another book by Johnson ever again.
September 7, 2016
Adam said it best.
But i'm starting to take it personally so I will make this a bit personal, which I don't like to do. But after 3 tries... Then THIS...
Offensive. From the blurb aimed at getting clicks for the shock value, to the fact a dead wife narrated the book.
Characters had no depth. The book was all paper thin and typical fare for the over-saturated MF market, but the author should perhaps talk to a gay man next time.
I'd love to be constructive but even the writing style doesn't work for me.
But i'm starting to take it personally so I will make this a bit personal, which I don't like to do. But after 3 tries... Then THIS...
Offensive. From the blurb aimed at getting clicks for the shock value, to the fact a dead wife narrated the book.
Characters had no depth. The book was all paper thin and typical fare for the over-saturated MF market, but the author should perhaps talk to a gay man next time.
I'd love to be constructive but even the writing style doesn't work for me.
February 11, 2015
DNF
I'm sorry, but this story screams emotional blackmail- to me. The beginning felt contrived. And a M/M partially narrated by the MC's dead wife. Just no... I see others love it, but it just rubbed me the wrong way.
March 14, 2016
Excuse me while I have a little ragefest...
Godsend intrigued me because I found the premise a little different and I was curious to see if it would work.
This book starts with a gay man married to and supposedly in love with a woman. I say supposedly because from start to finish in this book I kept waiting for that moment the one where I would gush a little and sigh and think "oh, he really loved her in spite of the fact that he was gay, their souls called to each other and it was just meant to be"...nope never happened.
I've read a few 'GFYs' (Gay For You) and I was curious to see if an author could make me buy into a story that was SFY (Straight For You) because I honestly believe that this is a road that could go both ways. Instead what I was left with was the impression that Scott married his best friend Shelley, who yes happened to be female, because she was dying and he wanted to give her as many of the things in life as he could before she died. Shelley wanted the happily ever after and the white picket fence and probably the 2.5 kids and dog etc, etc. I don't fault her for that many women and men want those things and I don't fault Scott for wanting to give them to her. I don't even doubt that he loved her a lot. She'd been his best friend for a long time. She knew him, understood him as only truly good friends often can. But he loved her, I honestly don't remember any point in the book where he expressed that he was in love with her, that she was the love of his life and there was never any real mention made of a sexual relationship with her. I think it was eluded to once or twice. I felt like Shelley gave Scott that sense of security and belonging that he never got from his parents and that she was maybe in love with him. But at no point did I feel like this was a passionate romantic type of love. That they cared very deeply about each other and that Shelley filled certain emotional needs for Scott yes. But this did not hit the buttons that some of the GFY stories I've read have and I was not left really and truly believing that this person who has believed they were gay suddenly finds themselves hopelessly in love with someone of the opposite sex maybe if he'd proposed to her before he knew she was dying I might have felt it was more than a good friend trying to give a dying friend a bit of happiness.
The story starts essentially with Shelley's death and then jumps down the timeline a year
to the point where Shelley's father with great determination forces Scott to get his head out of his backside and start trying to get his act together by attending a bereavement group where he meets Chris who is trying to work his way through the loss of his sister whom he was very close too.
Godsend jumps back and forth between Scott and Chris's POVs for the most part, however, in the first part of the book we do have some of Shelley's POV injected which is fine up to and including the point at which she dies. I don't mean to be crass or insensitive here but this is the point at which Shelley and her POV needed to move on, seriously woman you are dead shutthefuckup!!! I probably would have done a DNF at somewhere around 30% or so but Shelley disappeared, YEAH!!!....uuummm, I mean yeah, sorry she's gone but...Oh hell, who am I kidding I'm not the slightest bit sorry. Shelley was portrayed as being Miss Perfect and then some. She understood Scott like no one else, she always thought of what was best for everyone else first, she only did what she did to spare her family the suffering and pain of watching her go through a prolonged death, yadda, yadda, yadda ad nauseam. I'm sorry I may have bought this the first 2 or 3 times I read it but after the first dozen or so I wanted to either throw my e-reader or puke. So just about the time I'm ready to toss a coin and see which of these two things I should do god love Shelley, she disappeared. Don't know where she went, don't care.
Now we get to go back to Scott and Chris and watch them work on their relationship together as a couple and while it wasn't perfect it was not to bad. They had some cute moments. They had challenges and disagreements. Chris was incredibly patient and persistent in his efforts to convince Scott that he wasn't leaving and Scott could do his worst but he was going to be there for him. I liked this part of the book. I could relate to it because for different reasons that was the type of person who I finally ended up married to someone who saw the good in me before I did, who believe in us enough for the both of us when it was needed, who knew when to step up and when to stand back and just be there. So from about 30% to around 95% it was ok not an epically good story but readable with some good moments and then we get to the end the last 5% where we're about to get our HEA for these two men and who shows up? You guessed it the ever loving freaking ghost of Miss Perfect Shelley...really? WTF? I could have sworn she died. The really annoying thing was there was no purpose for her re-emergence in the story everything that she was babbling about could have been done from either Scott or Chris's perspective and probably better because of all things, I did not need and I bet Scott and Chris did not need her in the god damned bedroom with them either literally or figuratively.
At one point I honestly thought the whole purpose of Shelley not being able to move on because one of her POVs indicated that she wasn't able to move on because of Scott. So I figured once he started to get his act together she'd be on her way and had that happened I would probably have given this book 3 stars had the ending been different, I considered 2.5 but the fact that Miss Perfect ghost never moved on like she should of and spoiled the ending for me I'm sticking with 2 ghostly stars for this one.
At the end of it all this story was just a hot mess of feelings mostly anger and frustration that what could have possibly been at the very least a good read was just a hot mess and I do sincerely hope that Shelley has found some peace and moved on now that Scott and Chris seem to have their lives sorted around. While I'm glad I didn't DNF this one because I really think Shelley would have kept babbling at me if I had. I'm doubtful that I'll bother with anything else by this author. There just wasn't enough appeal to make me want to see what her other books are like.
Godsend intrigued me because I found the premise a little different and I was curious to see if it would work.
This book starts with a gay man married to and supposedly in love with a woman. I say supposedly because from start to finish in this book I kept waiting for that moment the one where I would gush a little and sigh and think "oh, he really loved her in spite of the fact that he was gay, their souls called to each other and it was just meant to be"...nope never happened.
I've read a few 'GFYs' (Gay For You) and I was curious to see if an author could make me buy into a story that was SFY (Straight For You) because I honestly believe that this is a road that could go both ways. Instead what I was left with was the impression that Scott married his best friend Shelley, who yes happened to be female, because she was dying and he wanted to give her as many of the things in life as he could before she died. Shelley wanted the happily ever after and the white picket fence and probably the 2.5 kids and dog etc, etc. I don't fault her for that many women and men want those things and I don't fault Scott for wanting to give them to her. I don't even doubt that he loved her a lot. She'd been his best friend for a long time. She knew him, understood him as only truly good friends often can. But he loved her, I honestly don't remember any point in the book where he expressed that he was in love with her, that she was the love of his life and there was never any real mention made of a sexual relationship with her. I think it was eluded to once or twice. I felt like Shelley gave Scott that sense of security and belonging that he never got from his parents and that she was maybe in love with him. But at no point did I feel like this was a passionate romantic type of love. That they cared very deeply about each other and that Shelley filled certain emotional needs for Scott yes. But this did not hit the buttons that some of the GFY stories I've read have and I was not left really and truly believing that this person who has believed they were gay suddenly finds themselves hopelessly in love with someone of the opposite sex maybe if he'd proposed to her before he knew she was dying I might have felt it was more than a good friend trying to give a dying friend a bit of happiness.
The story starts essentially with Shelley's death and then jumps down the timeline a year
to the point where Shelley's father with great determination forces Scott to get his head out of his backside and start trying to get his act together by attending a bereavement group where he meets Chris who is trying to work his way through the loss of his sister whom he was very close too.
Godsend jumps back and forth between Scott and Chris's POVs for the most part, however, in the first part of the book we do have some of Shelley's POV injected which is fine up to and including the point at which she dies. I don't mean to be crass or insensitive here but this is the point at which Shelley and her POV needed to move on, seriously woman you are dead shutthefuckup!!! I probably would have done a DNF at somewhere around 30% or so but Shelley disappeared, YEAH!!!....uuummm, I mean yeah, sorry she's gone but...Oh hell, who am I kidding I'm not the slightest bit sorry. Shelley was portrayed as being Miss Perfect and then some. She understood Scott like no one else, she always thought of what was best for everyone else first, she only did what she did to spare her family the suffering and pain of watching her go through a prolonged death, yadda, yadda, yadda ad nauseam. I'm sorry I may have bought this the first 2 or 3 times I read it but after the first dozen or so I wanted to either throw my e-reader or puke. So just about the time I'm ready to toss a coin and see which of these two things I should do god love Shelley, she disappeared. Don't know where she went, don't care.
Now we get to go back to Scott and Chris and watch them work on their relationship together as a couple and while it wasn't perfect it was not to bad. They had some cute moments. They had challenges and disagreements. Chris was incredibly patient and persistent in his efforts to convince Scott that he wasn't leaving and Scott could do his worst but he was going to be there for him. I liked this part of the book. I could relate to it because for different reasons that was the type of person who I finally ended up married to someone who saw the good in me before I did, who believe in us enough for the both of us when it was needed, who knew when to step up and when to stand back and just be there. So from about 30% to around 95% it was ok not an epically good story but readable with some good moments and then we get to the end the last 5% where we're about to get our HEA for these two men and who shows up? You guessed it the ever loving freaking ghost of Miss Perfect Shelley...really? WTF? I could have sworn she died. The really annoying thing was there was no purpose for her re-emergence in the story everything that she was babbling about could have been done from either Scott or Chris's perspective and probably better because of all things, I did not need and I bet Scott and Chris did not need her in the god damned bedroom with them either literally or figuratively.
At one point I honestly thought the whole purpose of Shelley not being able to move on because one of her POVs indicated that she wasn't able to move on because of Scott. So I figured once he started to get his act together she'd be on her way and had that happened I would probably have given this book 3 stars had the ending been different, I considered 2.5 but the fact that Miss Perfect ghost never moved on like she should of and spoiled the ending for me I'm sticking with 2 ghostly stars for this one.
At the end of it all this story was just a hot mess of feelings mostly anger and frustration that what could have possibly been at the very least a good read was just a hot mess and I do sincerely hope that Shelley has found some peace and moved on now that Scott and Chris seem to have their lives sorted around. While I'm glad I didn't DNF this one because I really think Shelley would have kept babbling at me if I had. I'm doubtful that I'll bother with anything else by this author. There just wasn't enough appeal to make me want to see what her other books are like.
February 2, 2018
Took me one book, and I'm over this author.
What Adam said here
MM book with a woman, a dead woman narration is a turn off. It's like reading a ghost story.
To make it worse, all over the book, there were Shelly this, Shelly that.
I was yawning all the time. This also boring as f***.
My MM books is not like this.
I think the author should be stick to the MF genre after all. No offense.
It's just not what I expected for my MM book.
Many MF author tried to write MM, but many of them failed to get into it. IMO.
Just, let the expert do their deeds.
What Adam said here
MM book with a woman, a dead woman narration is a turn off. It's like reading a ghost story.
To make it worse, all over the book, there were Shelly this, Shelly that.
I was yawning all the time. This also boring as f***.
My MM books is not like this.
I think the author should be stick to the MF genre after all. No offense.
It's just not what I expected for my MM book.
Many MF author tried to write MM, but many of them failed to get into it. IMO.
Just, let the expert do their deeds.
February 21, 2015
I've been thinking of a way to explain exactly why I find this book (blurb and all) so offensive. I'm sorry if I'm about to ramble but this has been driving me insane.
First, if the blurb didn't state the our male character was gay and knew so from an early age, maybe this wouldn't have been so bad. Were he bisexual, this would've made a lot of sense. But he's not bisexual, he's not asexual, he's not confused. HE IS GAY! So the fact that he married a woman because she was his best friend isn't cutting it for me. That's a bunch of bullshit. We can have best friends without marrying them or fucking them, especially when they're the wrong sex.
But the implication that he can disregard his sexuality in order to marry a woman is what I find so atrocious. Why? Well you know all those kids and adults that lose their families and support system because they are gay and there is nothing they can do to change that? This book is an offense towards them, it's disrespectful to write off their personal struggles and emotional pain as a choice. Because if our male character was able to marry a woman and be happy, why can't all gay men to the same thing, right? It is not a fucking choice, it's the way life is.
The way I see it, this book was written as a shock factor, a way to win more readers. If a book isn't written from the heart, if the subject matter isn't something the author believes in, then it shouldn't be written. And if this author truly believes that this plot is possible and acceptable in real life, then she has no clue about gay people and/or doesn't care enough to learn more. #rantover
First, if the blurb didn't state the our male character was gay and knew so from an early age, maybe this wouldn't have been so bad. Were he bisexual, this would've made a lot of sense. But he's not bisexual, he's not asexual, he's not confused. HE IS GAY! So the fact that he married a woman because she was his best friend isn't cutting it for me. That's a bunch of bullshit. We can have best friends without marrying them or fucking them, especially when they're the wrong sex.
But the implication that he can disregard his sexuality in order to marry a woman is what I find so atrocious. Why? Well you know all those kids and adults that lose their families and support system because they are gay and there is nothing they can do to change that? This book is an offense towards them, it's disrespectful to write off their personal struggles and emotional pain as a choice. Because if our male character was able to marry a woman and be happy, why can't all gay men to the same thing, right? It is not a fucking choice, it's the way life is.
The way I see it, this book was written as a shock factor, a way to win more readers. If a book isn't written from the heart, if the subject matter isn't something the author believes in, then it shouldn't be written. And if this author truly believes that this plot is possible and acceptable in real life, then she has no clue about gay people and/or doesn't care enough to learn more. #rantover
February 8, 2015
A emotional and fragile look at grief and loss and how we make the journey of acceptance and moving on. So good and hot; fantasic.
February 18, 2015
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour
Three and a half stars
This isn’t your usual M/M romance as the prologue is told from the dead wife of one the MCs – Scott. So with reading that I was not envisioning how this story was to pan out. It wasn’t an easy prologue to read either, very dark and depressing, well it would be with the subject matter.
What I did like about this book though was that it didn’t put labels on a person’s sexuality. Yes Scott had always been truthful with his best friend, Shelly, who later became his wife, she knew he was attracted to men. But then their friendship turned into that of man and wife. I would have liked more detail about how they carried out that marriage as nothing was really said about a sex life.
When Scott reached sixteen, his parent took off from the small town to carry on their exploring of the World which they did before he was born. Due to his close friendship with Shelly, her parents gladly took him in, so Scott had always classed them as his second parents. He didn’t make a secret of his believed sexuality but that all changed when one of Shelly’s boyfriends treated her badly. Scott realised he felt more for her and when she became ill he asked her to be his wife.
The story really begins a year after her death and when his father in law takes Scott to a bereavement class, he meets Chris who is there to help him recover from his sister’s death. He has a pull towards Scott yet when he finds out he was married this confuses him. This then is the start of the unravelling of feelings and past lives to finally bring Scott and Chris to make a new start with their lives, both knowing that life is too short to live in the past. This is not without any angst as Scott has a short temper, especially when he feels threatened in his control of his life or getting close to anyone seeing as those he has loved in the past have left him.
For me the story would have had more kudos if Shelly had been a man to aid the believability of Scott being a gay man. But then again it was good to not attach labels so I got over that. It was difficult at times listening to Shelly’s voice speaking to Scott after her death. I can understand the need to have this to reveal Scott’s inner dialogue but at times it felt a bit weird.
Overall a thought provoking read and I did enjoy the characters in the main, especially Chris. Scott came off a little childlike at times but I liked him all the same. The relationship was a backwards and forwards dance throughout and for two grown men this seemed a little immature. However it did keep me wanting to invest in the romance and route for the pairing. Loved the secondary characters too, especially Ma! Three and a half stars.
Three and a half stars
This isn’t your usual M/M romance as the prologue is told from the dead wife of one the MCs – Scott. So with reading that I was not envisioning how this story was to pan out. It wasn’t an easy prologue to read either, very dark and depressing, well it would be with the subject matter.
What I did like about this book though was that it didn’t put labels on a person’s sexuality. Yes Scott had always been truthful with his best friend, Shelly, who later became his wife, she knew he was attracted to men. But then their friendship turned into that of man and wife. I would have liked more detail about how they carried out that marriage as nothing was really said about a sex life.
When Scott reached sixteen, his parent took off from the small town to carry on their exploring of the World which they did before he was born. Due to his close friendship with Shelly, her parents gladly took him in, so Scott had always classed them as his second parents. He didn’t make a secret of his believed sexuality but that all changed when one of Shelly’s boyfriends treated her badly. Scott realised he felt more for her and when she became ill he asked her to be his wife.
The story really begins a year after her death and when his father in law takes Scott to a bereavement class, he meets Chris who is there to help him recover from his sister’s death. He has a pull towards Scott yet when he finds out he was married this confuses him. This then is the start of the unravelling of feelings and past lives to finally bring Scott and Chris to make a new start with their lives, both knowing that life is too short to live in the past. This is not without any angst as Scott has a short temper, especially when he feels threatened in his control of his life or getting close to anyone seeing as those he has loved in the past have left him.
For me the story would have had more kudos if Shelly had been a man to aid the believability of Scott being a gay man. But then again it was good to not attach labels so I got over that. It was difficult at times listening to Shelly’s voice speaking to Scott after her death. I can understand the need to have this to reveal Scott’s inner dialogue but at times it felt a bit weird.
Overall a thought provoking read and I did enjoy the characters in the main, especially Chris. Scott came off a little childlike at times but I liked him all the same. The relationship was a backwards and forwards dance throughout and for two grown men this seemed a little immature. However it did keep me wanting to invest in the romance and route for the pairing. Loved the secondary characters too, especially Ma! Three and a half stars.
March 4, 2015
Sexual confusion,a suicide pageantry,a bereaved widower & a ghost wife that haunts every chapter is what makes up this typical horror story.This is one haunted book that could have benefited from an exorcism & been the better for it.I'm not sure what possessed me to read it.
September 7, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
What Comes After by Quinn Ward starts out so well. There is a shocking beginning that is terribly sad and sets up the whole premise for why Scott is the person he’s become just months later. Loss for Scott is absolutely gutting—leaving behind very little will to go on in the daily hell he is trying to survive and later nearly burying him in survivor’s guilt when he begins to try and live again. If not for his in-laws, Scott may very well have succeeded in ending his life rather than agreeing to go to group therapy. It’s there that he meets Chris who, despite being a licensed therapist himself, is still grappling with the suicide of his own sister. As the story slowly progresses, we watch these two men come to care for each other and yet still meet roadblock after roadblock, mainly due to Scott’s difficulty in moving on and learning it’s okay to embrace life and happiness again.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
What Comes After by Quinn Ward starts out so well. There is a shocking beginning that is terribly sad and sets up the whole premise for why Scott is the person he’s become just months later. Loss for Scott is absolutely gutting—leaving behind very little will to go on in the daily hell he is trying to survive and later nearly burying him in survivor’s guilt when he begins to try and live again. If not for his in-laws, Scott may very well have succeeded in ending his life rather than agreeing to go to group therapy. It’s there that he meets Chris who, despite being a licensed therapist himself, is still grappling with the suicide of his own sister. As the story slowly progresses, we watch these two men come to care for each other and yet still meet roadblock after roadblock, mainly due to Scott’s difficulty in moving on and learning it’s okay to embrace life and happiness again.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
January 18, 2015
I so love this authors writing. It's very easy to lose yourself in her stories. From the start I was captivated and ended up reading this in one sitting.
The two main characters are Scott and Chris. Both are broken souls. They meet one another at a bereavement therapy session. This is a story of grief and loss that will have you reaching for the tissues.
Praise to the author on a beautifully written and emotional story. This is certainly a re-read for me. I loved it.
The two main characters are Scott and Chris. Both are broken souls. They meet one another at a bereavement therapy session. This is a story of grief and loss that will have you reaching for the tissues.
Praise to the author on a beautifully written and emotional story. This is certainly a re-read for me. I loved it.
February 9, 2015
They say that God works in mysterious ways and so sometimes we have to question our pasts along with the present to see what brought us to this place.
Godsend by Sloan Johnson is about dealing with loss of your spouse. It doesn't matter if you spouse is a male or female it is about trying to heal after the death of a love one and move on.
Scott Murphy is not able to move on with his life after his wife Shelly who is diagnosed with a terminal disease has decided to take her life. Shelly make a very tough decision to die with dignity rather than have those who love her see her suffer pain a decision that Scott did not want her to make.
As Scott tries to deal with the death of Shelly through a bereavement group he meets Chris who is trying to deal with the death of his sister.
There is an attraction between these two but Chris isn't sure how to take Scott since he was married to a women. For Scott the feelings for a man never really left him even though he loved Shelly. When they first met Shelly knew of Scott's sexualty and accepted him as her friend. Feelings change, people change, love changes it's a part of life.
When Chris tries to help Scott deal with the death of Shelly it is not so easy. Scott is fighting to evils here...the lose of Shelly and the attraction of Chris.
The story centers around two souls who have both loss people that they loved deeply. God has sent these two men together for a reason to find each other and to love each other. It is not a story about second guessing who once thought you were and who you are today, it is about finding yourself and happiness.
Godsend by Sloan Johnson is about dealing with loss of your spouse. It doesn't matter if you spouse is a male or female it is about trying to heal after the death of a love one and move on.
Scott Murphy is not able to move on with his life after his wife Shelly who is diagnosed with a terminal disease has decided to take her life. Shelly make a very tough decision to die with dignity rather than have those who love her see her suffer pain a decision that Scott did not want her to make.
As Scott tries to deal with the death of Shelly through a bereavement group he meets Chris who is trying to deal with the death of his sister.
There is an attraction between these two but Chris isn't sure how to take Scott since he was married to a women. For Scott the feelings for a man never really left him even though he loved Shelly. When they first met Shelly knew of Scott's sexualty and accepted him as her friend. Feelings change, people change, love changes it's a part of life.
When Chris tries to help Scott deal with the death of Shelly it is not so easy. Scott is fighting to evils here...the lose of Shelly and the attraction of Chris.
The story centers around two souls who have both loss people that they loved deeply. God has sent these two men together for a reason to find each other and to love each other. It is not a story about second guessing who once thought you were and who you are today, it is about finding yourself and happiness.
June 6, 2015
Finish reading ARC of Godsend. Beautiful story and wonderful charactes. Be prepared for tears of sadness but more importantly be prepared for tears of happiness!!! I loved this book!!
February 25, 2015
It's sad that there are soooo many haters on Goodreads. It's so easy to be mean or tough behind a computer!!
I never ever rip a book apart. How dare someone do that... it may not be for you but you give constructive criticism. Only cowards and drama queens belittle books! I wasted enough energy on them.....so....
On a better note, I love Sloan!! She writes from her heart, which make you fall for her characters. Godsend is a beautiful story... about lost and new love.... love comes in many forms. Who are we to judge.... you need to experience this book and the wonders of Sloan's writing. She has become a favorite of mine. All of her stories touch me. Before Sloan' s books, I had little experience with M/M and I honestly didn't think, I would enjoy an entire book.... Well, Sloan changed all that, she made me a lover of the genre.
I never ever rip a book apart. How dare someone do that... it may not be for you but you give constructive criticism. Only cowards and drama queens belittle books! I wasted enough energy on them.....so....
On a better note, I love Sloan!! She writes from her heart, which make you fall for her characters. Godsend is a beautiful story... about lost and new love.... love comes in many forms. Who are we to judge.... you need to experience this book and the wonders of Sloan's writing. She has become a favorite of mine. All of her stories touch me. Before Sloan' s books, I had little experience with M/M and I honestly didn't think, I would enjoy an entire book.... Well, Sloan changed all that, she made me a lover of the genre.
August 22, 2020
You know a book is going to be great when the prologue makes you cry like a baby. My God it was a hard book to read but worth every minute. Scott is a widower; his wife was the love of his life, his best friend since high school. When she died he lost himself for a long time. Chris is dealing with his own grief. The two men meet at a group and then an unfortunate accident brings them closer and they eventually admit the attraction between them. Their relationship isn’t easy; they both have a lot of issues and need to grow. I loved reading about their journey. It was emotional and heartbreaking but I feel like I gained a lot from reading it.
4/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
4/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
February 15, 2015
As I started to read Godsend I found out that this was a different MM book than I was accustom to. The book opens up as Scott and his wife Shelly prepare for her death. They have a last supper then the next morning she ended her life with dignity. I might have cried but I hated this part. I hate it when authors play with the readers emotions like that. Scott and Shelly were in a relationship for 11 year. I almost snorted because he was a straight for you gay man. I think I could have liked the book even after all this if Scott and Chris were believable as a couple or if Scott was likeable. I found that the secondary characters were more likeable than the main ones.
January 29, 2015
Poignant and sensitive story of overcoming grief. It is also Scott and Chris' love story. I liked that it went back and forth between Chris' chapter and Scott's chapter. There was also Shelly narrating. The in-laws Jim and Bev were important in Scott's recovery even as they were dealing with their own grief.
I think this would be a good book for a book club. It would bring up a lively discussion. You don't have with the characters choices to enjoy this story.
***I was given this book as a gift from the author in exchange for my honest review. ***
Reviewed by Laura
I think this would be a good book for a book club. It would bring up a lively discussion. You don't have with the characters choices to enjoy this story.
***I was given this book as a gift from the author in exchange for my honest review. ***
Reviewed by Laura
January 14, 2015
I was given this book as an ARC and I give it 5 stars.
It's a story of love, loss, and rebuilding a life and yourself.
This book is beautifully written and full of emotions.
I would read this book again. Loved it.
It's a story of love, loss, and rebuilding a life and yourself.
This book is beautifully written and full of emotions.
I would read this book again. Loved it.
February 19, 2015
**JEN'S REVIEW**
This is surely one that will grab your attention the second you start reading it. From the very first page I was completely glued to this story. My emotions were all over the place and I’m talking right from the very beginning. Completely gutted at what was to come but very invested in seeing how it all played out. This story is one heck of an emotional journey. It definitely isn’t all hearts and flowers. It’s about love, loss and the aftermath of that loss. Picking up the pieces is never easy especially when you are crippled with so much grief that you can’t see beyond what you lost.
Scott is a gay man who ended up falling in love with his best friend who just so happens to be a woman. They may have an unconventional marriage but the respect, love and friendship is there. The story starts us off in a very heartbreaking way. Honestly I had no idea what I was really getting into when I started it. I’ll be honest and say even though I read the synopsis I really wasn’t prepared to be emotionally pulled in like I was. Shelly’s plight was completely gut wrenching but I loved how the story was set up. I loved the fact that she was looking over everyone and that we got to hear her voice. Watching Scott’s life spiral out of control because he was completely devastated and broken was just so heartbreaking to endure. Scott is hot tempered and moody, his life growing up wasn’t the easiest and after the death of his wife this poor lost man could barely function. He wasn’t living just purely existing.
“If I’m being honest, I’d admit that I never tried to figure out what a life without Shelly looks like. I fed on the self-pity, until there was nothing left to do but sit in the home we created together, feeling completely empty.”
Chris also knows all too well what it feels like to lose someone that he was very close with. While he’s attending a bereavement group that really isn’t working for him, he ends up meeting Scott. Now let me just say this. Their relationship isn’t an easy one. They have so many bumps in the road that they have to overcome with one another. Scott has insecurities along with dealing with what he’s been though that he’s afraid of what Chris will think of him once he learns the truth on how his wife passed away. He has trust issues as well that are really prevalent throughout the story. My heart really went out to him so many times. I loved how much Chris was there for him through everything. That man is one seriously patient loving man. Chris is devoted to being there for Scott no matter what. His unwavering love for that man could be felt throughout the story. He never let Scott fall even when Scott would push him away. He meant what he said and he never fell back on a promise.
Even though this story has a lot of very sad moments that took a lot out of me, their journey to overcoming all the hurt and pain they’ve suffered was really beautiful to see. I won’t lie, you may need a few tissues with this one.
This is surely one that will grab your attention the second you start reading it. From the very first page I was completely glued to this story. My emotions were all over the place and I’m talking right from the very beginning. Completely gutted at what was to come but very invested in seeing how it all played out. This story is one heck of an emotional journey. It definitely isn’t all hearts and flowers. It’s about love, loss and the aftermath of that loss. Picking up the pieces is never easy especially when you are crippled with so much grief that you can’t see beyond what you lost.
Scott is a gay man who ended up falling in love with his best friend who just so happens to be a woman. They may have an unconventional marriage but the respect, love and friendship is there. The story starts us off in a very heartbreaking way. Honestly I had no idea what I was really getting into when I started it. I’ll be honest and say even though I read the synopsis I really wasn’t prepared to be emotionally pulled in like I was. Shelly’s plight was completely gut wrenching but I loved how the story was set up. I loved the fact that she was looking over everyone and that we got to hear her voice. Watching Scott’s life spiral out of control because he was completely devastated and broken was just so heartbreaking to endure. Scott is hot tempered and moody, his life growing up wasn’t the easiest and after the death of his wife this poor lost man could barely function. He wasn’t living just purely existing.
“If I’m being honest, I’d admit that I never tried to figure out what a life without Shelly looks like. I fed on the self-pity, until there was nothing left to do but sit in the home we created together, feeling completely empty.”
Chris also knows all too well what it feels like to lose someone that he was very close with. While he’s attending a bereavement group that really isn’t working for him, he ends up meeting Scott. Now let me just say this. Their relationship isn’t an easy one. They have so many bumps in the road that they have to overcome with one another. Scott has insecurities along with dealing with what he’s been though that he’s afraid of what Chris will think of him once he learns the truth on how his wife passed away. He has trust issues as well that are really prevalent throughout the story. My heart really went out to him so many times. I loved how much Chris was there for him through everything. That man is one seriously patient loving man. Chris is devoted to being there for Scott no matter what. His unwavering love for that man could be felt throughout the story. He never let Scott fall even when Scott would push him away. He meant what he said and he never fell back on a promise.
Even though this story has a lot of very sad moments that took a lot out of me, their journey to overcoming all the hurt and pain they’ve suffered was really beautiful to see. I won’t lie, you may need a few tissues with this one.
August 26, 2020
I must be an outlier, and even though I didn't really enjoy this, I'll give it three stars because grief is such a personal emotion, that I may just not vibe with the story. There are so many books where I see other readers basically indicating they sobbed non-stop, and I didn't shed a tear and vice versa. I kept waiting for the emotion to hit me with this, but I couldn't seem to really share the emotions with Scott. I observed them, and I felt sympathy for him and Shelly's family, but I didn't feel like I was a part of it. The beginning was excellent for me with Shelly, Scott, and her family. It's a difficult subject to broach, and I thought it was written well.
In addition, it was difficult for me to understand Shelly and Scott's relationship. While I have no doubts Scott loved her, I just could not understand their relationship. I never felt Scott had been in love with her, so I struggled with the believability of their story.
I have a very personal relationship with grief and group therapy. It brings up many painful memories for me, and I think it was something that definitely hindered my enjoyment of the book. To note, I didn't realize before picking this up, that I would have that reaction. But as I read scenes, they started to upset me on a personal level. It's not the book's fault, but I don't know; it was something I couldn't shake.
There were some other triggers for me, and again, not the book's fault. I wish I could say I knew better, but you don't always know what will hit you.
I'm sure many people will disagree with me, and this isn't a new concept, but I think the three POVs took me out of the world, and it jarred me at times. Shelly is often commenting and observing from heaven I imagine, and then Chris and Scott have present day POVs. While I'm not sure I loved it all the time, it was very poignant and just...sad. I felt truly awful for her, but she was a kind, loving soul. I'm happy she wanted nothing but the best for Scott.
I feel like I've written this long review, and I've hardly mentioned Chris. With that, there lies my issues. This is a romance and love story, but I didn't feel much for them, so much as, Shelly and Scott and both of them moving on, so to speak.
However, if hurt/comfort is your jam, you'll likely love this.
In addition, it was difficult for me to understand Shelly and Scott's relationship. While I have no doubts Scott loved her, I just could not understand their relationship. I never felt Scott had been in love with her, so I struggled with the believability of their story.
I have a very personal relationship with grief and group therapy. It brings up many painful memories for me, and I think it was something that definitely hindered my enjoyment of the book. To note, I didn't realize before picking this up, that I would have that reaction. But as I read scenes, they started to upset me on a personal level. It's not the book's fault, but I don't know; it was something I couldn't shake.
There were some other triggers for me, and again, not the book's fault. I wish I could say I knew better, but you don't always know what will hit you.
I'm sure many people will disagree with me, and this isn't a new concept, but I think the three POVs took me out of the world, and it jarred me at times. Shelly is often commenting and observing from heaven I imagine, and then Chris and Scott have present day POVs. While I'm not sure I loved it all the time, it was very poignant and just...sad. I felt truly awful for her, but she was a kind, loving soul. I'm happy she wanted nothing but the best for Scott.
I feel like I've written this long review, and I've hardly mentioned Chris. With that, there lies my issues. This is a romance and love story, but I didn't feel much for them, so much as, Shelly and Scott and both of them moving on, so to speak.
However, if hurt/comfort is your jam, you'll likely love this.
February 20, 2015
may be a bit spoiler-ish so i'm hiding
i typically really love sloan's books and i liked the writing of this one, i'm just left with a few questions. i understand not being completely out in a small town but i don't understand knowing you're gay from a young age and completely forgoing any relationships with men for what 14 years because you can't live without your best friend? and he referred to himself as bisexual, but did he actually have sex with her? that confused me a bit. he didn't marry shelly until she was dying...they were married less than a year at the end of her life - and i get that he wanted to do something grand for her by giving her a big wedding before she died - but he never had a relationship (physical or emotional) with a male...until he was 36??? once he met chris and realized what he had been missing and moved on, it was obvious how miserable his life had been up until that point because he didn't ever have that kind of connection. i don't understand why he couldn't have had shelly as a best friend and still had relationships with men since that's clearly what he wanted. he completely sacrificed his happiness because he thought he couldn't live without her which he wouldn't have had to do just because he wasn't in a sexual/emotional relationship with her. i think this truly would have been better if he was completely bisexual but he clearly was not.
so even moving past all that, i completely understand the need for the prologue to set the stage for what was going on with scott and how he met chris but i did not like shelly's narration through the story from the grave - especially the epilogue. i did not like her narration of their intimacy. i wanted to be in that moment with them.
chris' grief with losing his sister seemed to be swept under the carpet. he was so tied up in scott that his sadness was overlooked. it seemed completely one-sided and when chris did break down and need support, they ended up fighting. i understand that scott was in a really bad place and needed support but it didn't feel like he was there for chris when chris needed him.
i do typically really like sloan's stories and will continue to read them but this one didn't sit right with me.
i typically really love sloan's books and i liked the writing of this one, i'm just left with a few questions. i understand not being completely out in a small town but i don't understand knowing you're gay from a young age and completely forgoing any relationships with men for what 14 years because you can't live without your best friend? and he referred to himself as bisexual, but did he actually have sex with her? that confused me a bit. he didn't marry shelly until she was dying...they were married less than a year at the end of her life - and i get that he wanted to do something grand for her by giving her a big wedding before she died - but he never had a relationship (physical or emotional) with a male...until he was 36??? once he met chris and realized what he had been missing and moved on, it was obvious how miserable his life had been up until that point because he didn't ever have that kind of connection. i don't understand why he couldn't have had shelly as a best friend and still had relationships with men since that's clearly what he wanted. he completely sacrificed his happiness because he thought he couldn't live without her which he wouldn't have had to do just because he wasn't in a sexual/emotional relationship with her. i think this truly would have been better if he was completely bisexual but he clearly was not.
so even moving past all that, i completely understand the need for the prologue to set the stage for what was going on with scott and how he met chris but i did not like shelly's narration through the story from the grave - especially the epilogue. i did not like her narration of their intimacy. i wanted to be in that moment with them.
chris' grief with losing his sister seemed to be swept under the carpet. he was so tied up in scott that his sadness was overlooked. it seemed completely one-sided and when chris did break down and need support, they ended up fighting. i understand that scott was in a really bad place and needed support but it didn't feel like he was there for chris when chris needed him.
i do typically really like sloan's stories and will continue to read them but this one didn't sit right with me.
January 15, 2015
Rating: 5 gut wrenching stars
**Learning to love after loss**
Copy provided by InkedRainbowReads
Wow... This book started off tough. I was crying by page 3. The way this author handled this subject was heart-warming and believable. My heart ached. I was invested.
You can’t choose who you fall in love with. Despite knowing from a young age that he was gay, Scott Murphy couldn’t imagine life without Shelly. He threw away the labels and had eleven amazing years with her, but now, he feels even more lost trying to figure out how to move on after Shelly’s death.
Scott and Chris meet at group grief therapy and there is some chemistry but Scott is nowhere near ready to let anyone in his life. What this journey shows is Scott coming to grips with Shelly's death and letting people back in to his life, and his heart. There is some light paranormal and the author did it in a way that warmed your heart and was believable. This is a tough subject to write about (you will know when you read it) And I felt this whole story was a realistic view of what people go through. Sometimes you read stories because you want to get caught up in a journey and other times, you want a dose of reality. This story will do both!! There was anger and anguish, and love and lust. It was a heart-wrenching and heart-warming journey that will have you cheering and smiling through tears. The intimacy (sexyyyy time) was smoking hot!!!! Bring extra panties :)
Some people might even find it therapeutic to read this story. They will see there is a light at the end of a very tough tunnel.
Good job Sloan Johnson!!!
**Learning to love after loss**
Copy provided by InkedRainbowReads
Wow... This book started off tough. I was crying by page 3. The way this author handled this subject was heart-warming and believable. My heart ached. I was invested.
You can’t choose who you fall in love with. Despite knowing from a young age that he was gay, Scott Murphy couldn’t imagine life without Shelly. He threw away the labels and had eleven amazing years with her, but now, he feels even more lost trying to figure out how to move on after Shelly’s death.
Scott and Chris meet at group grief therapy and there is some chemistry but Scott is nowhere near ready to let anyone in his life. What this journey shows is Scott coming to grips with Shelly's death and letting people back in to his life, and his heart. There is some light paranormal and the author did it in a way that warmed your heart and was believable. This is a tough subject to write about (you will know when you read it) And I felt this whole story was a realistic view of what people go through. Sometimes you read stories because you want to get caught up in a journey and other times, you want a dose of reality. This story will do both!! There was anger and anguish, and love and lust. It was a heart-wrenching and heart-warming journey that will have you cheering and smiling through tears. The intimacy (sexyyyy time) was smoking hot!!!! Bring extra panties :)
Some people might even find it therapeutic to read this story. They will see there is a light at the end of a very tough tunnel.
Good job Sloan Johnson!!!
January 14, 2015
WARNING!!!! THIS IS A FIVE HANKY BOOK!!!
I finished Godsend in one day. I was crying in the prologue for goodness sakes. Sloan had me emotionally hooked and invested at the beginning.
This books centers around a very controversial topic, dying with dignity or physician assisted suicide. At this time, Oregon, Vermont and Washington States have Death with Dignity Laws. As of right now, New Jersey and California are in the beginning stages of adopting such a law.
I know it might be difficult, but leave your feelings about the subject out of how you read this book. Scott and Chris do touch the topic a couple of times throughout the book, it is not the main story of the book. Scott does talk about his feelings about how his wife, Shelly, first talked to him about it. How he reacted. And later, Chris talks about it as it pertained to a client of his.
This story really is about grief, and learning to live your life after loss. It takes Scott's father-in-law, Jim, to get Scott back to the land of the living. Forcing him to go to a Survivor of Loss Group, Scott actually had appreciative thoughts of Chris when he sees him.
Chris see the new person in group and just can't stop thinking of him. It wasn't until Scott stopped coming to group that he goes after him.
My favorite part of this book is that Shelly is a tangible character through the whole story. She doesn't move on until Scott does. She is the one who spurs Scott to move forward with Chris.
I finished Godsend in one day. I was crying in the prologue for goodness sakes. Sloan had me emotionally hooked and invested at the beginning.
This books centers around a very controversial topic, dying with dignity or physician assisted suicide. At this time, Oregon, Vermont and Washington States have Death with Dignity Laws. As of right now, New Jersey and California are in the beginning stages of adopting such a law.
I know it might be difficult, but leave your feelings about the subject out of how you read this book. Scott and Chris do touch the topic a couple of times throughout the book, it is not the main story of the book. Scott does talk about his feelings about how his wife, Shelly, first talked to him about it. How he reacted. And later, Chris talks about it as it pertained to a client of his.
This story really is about grief, and learning to live your life after loss. It takes Scott's father-in-law, Jim, to get Scott back to the land of the living. Forcing him to go to a Survivor of Loss Group, Scott actually had appreciative thoughts of Chris when he sees him.
Chris see the new person in group and just can't stop thinking of him. It wasn't until Scott stopped coming to group that he goes after him.
My favorite part of this book is that Shelly is a tangible character through the whole story. She doesn't move on until Scott does. She is the one who spurs Scott to move forward with Chris.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2015
Blog Post: http://gaymediareviews.weebly.com/blo...
Godsend by Sloan Johnson
Scott Murphy new from a young age that he was gay but even knowing his sexuality he couldn't imagine life without Shelly. They spent 11 years together until her death. Chris has lost his sister and spends all of his time at support groups or the bar not to be alone. He can't stop thinking how he could have saved his sister. Then one day Scott shows up at the group and Chris notices him right away. Chris is the first person that Scott notices in a very long time but he keeps thinking of his Shelly. This might be what they both need to move on and heal their broken hearts together.
This was a different read for me then the usual MM novels so that was fun. I also like that the character of Scott has decided not to put labels on his sexuality and that was very refreshing. Even though Scott was attracted to men he was very much in love with his wife but I wish the author went into more detail of how this marriage actually really worked.
The story begins one year after the death of Shelly and her father take Scott to a bereavement class and this is where he meets Chris who also has lost someone very special. I did enjoy the novel but I wish the author would have explained a lot more about the fundamentals of Scott and Shelly's relationship as at times it was hard to comprehend. All in all was a pretty good read.
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews
Godsend by Sloan Johnson
Scott Murphy new from a young age that he was gay but even knowing his sexuality he couldn't imagine life without Shelly. They spent 11 years together until her death. Chris has lost his sister and spends all of his time at support groups or the bar not to be alone. He can't stop thinking how he could have saved his sister. Then one day Scott shows up at the group and Chris notices him right away. Chris is the first person that Scott notices in a very long time but he keeps thinking of his Shelly. This might be what they both need to move on and heal their broken hearts together.
This was a different read for me then the usual MM novels so that was fun. I also like that the character of Scott has decided not to put labels on his sexuality and that was very refreshing. Even though Scott was attracted to men he was very much in love with his wife but I wish the author went into more detail of how this marriage actually really worked.
The story begins one year after the death of Shelly and her father take Scott to a bereavement class and this is where he meets Chris who also has lost someone very special. I did enjoy the novel but I wish the author would have explained a lot more about the fundamentals of Scott and Shelly's relationship as at times it was hard to comprehend. All in all was a pretty good read.
"Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review."
Reviewed by Paul at Gay Media Reviews
February 11, 2015
I received an ARC of Godsend from Sloan Johnson.
This book touched me on a soul deep level.
Scott has known that he was gay from a very young age, and his best friend Shelly knew it too. Somewhere along the line they fell in love had eleven great years together. Scott cannot imagine what he is supposed to do or how he is supposed to carry on when Shelly passes away. He alienates himself from everyone, and turn to drinking to dull his pain. Until one night almost a year after Shelly's death when her dad shows up at his house and demands that he open the door. They leave and go to a support group.
Chris goes to a local bereavement group weekly to help him deal with his sister's death and it is also a way to deal with her death that keeps him out of the bar.
The night that Scott shows up Chris sees some hope walk in the door with him. As their story unfolds they learn more about each other and Scott knows that he will eventually have to tell Chris the truth about Shelly's death and how a gay man ended up married and in love with his best friend.
Can these two broken men help fix and complete each other or are they too broken to make things work?
You have to read Godsend to get the answers to that.
This book made me cry huge alligator tears, it gave me hope that life can always get better and made me believe that life doesn't end when a loved one passes away.
Sloan is a master of tugging on your heart.
This book touched me on a soul deep level.
Scott has known that he was gay from a very young age, and his best friend Shelly knew it too. Somewhere along the line they fell in love had eleven great years together. Scott cannot imagine what he is supposed to do or how he is supposed to carry on when Shelly passes away. He alienates himself from everyone, and turn to drinking to dull his pain. Until one night almost a year after Shelly's death when her dad shows up at his house and demands that he open the door. They leave and go to a support group.
Chris goes to a local bereavement group weekly to help him deal with his sister's death and it is also a way to deal with her death that keeps him out of the bar.
The night that Scott shows up Chris sees some hope walk in the door with him. As their story unfolds they learn more about each other and Scott knows that he will eventually have to tell Chris the truth about Shelly's death and how a gay man ended up married and in love with his best friend.
Can these two broken men help fix and complete each other or are they too broken to make things work?
You have to read Godsend to get the answers to that.
This book made me cry huge alligator tears, it gave me hope that life can always get better and made me believe that life doesn't end when a loved one passes away.
Sloan is a master of tugging on your heart.
February 10, 2015
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
From page one Godsend just felt different. It was emotional, heartwarming, heart breaking, sweet, sexy all wrapped into one little package. The emotional wreckage was fast and painful.
I often wondered what someone in Scott's position would do, how those conversations would go, how he could accept it? How hard it would be, for her family and friends. Would it be easier than letting nature just play out? Ms. Johnson did an excellent job at showing us what that would be like. How hard it would be. The emotions surrounding the beginning of this story are intense.
It's no joke when someone says you'll need wine and tissues to get through this one. It pulls you in until you can't help but cheer Scott on even he makes you mad.
His wife only asked one thing of him...to live. Scott has a ton of people pulling for him, can he let his guard down enough to let someone in and do what his wife asked? Can he fulfill that promise? Can he move on from something so painful and be...happy?
Well done, Ms. Sloan! It is so worth the read
From page one Godsend just felt different. It was emotional, heartwarming, heart breaking, sweet, sexy all wrapped into one little package. The emotional wreckage was fast and painful.
I often wondered what someone in Scott's position would do, how those conversations would go, how he could accept it? How hard it would be, for her family and friends. Would it be easier than letting nature just play out? Ms. Johnson did an excellent job at showing us what that would be like. How hard it would be. The emotions surrounding the beginning of this story are intense.
It's no joke when someone says you'll need wine and tissues to get through this one. It pulls you in until you can't help but cheer Scott on even he makes you mad.
His wife only asked one thing of him...to live. Scott has a ton of people pulling for him, can he let his guard down enough to let someone in and do what his wife asked? Can he fulfill that promise? Can he move on from something so painful and be...happy?
Well done, Ms. Sloan! It is so worth the read
March 31, 2015
"READ the blurb and believe it".
I wasn't even checking for this book. I don't remember the blurb, I didn't care for the cover and didn't know the author. Hell .. I forgot I had a copy to read but something just pulled me in to read it and I just couldn't stop. It wasn't exciting read but a very good one. I will say that this book is not for everybody. I think the reason I took to the story originally is because it had reminded me of the prompt I wrote last year for DRitC event. The whole concept to be openly gay but married to a woman. That where the similarity ends. Scott had an actual straight for you relationship for about 11 years. I know networks has tried to promote shows like these in the recent years and I have no interest in watching reality show in general unless it's Say Yes to the Dress. But I needed to know where the author would go. I wish the author went in little bit more into how their relationship function apart from the emotional connection. I should also say that Shelly (the dead wife) is a narrator for parts of this story. That didn't annoy me as I thought it would it took me longer to accept that Shelly was a woman and not a man. I love Chris even though he was a bit stupid at the end. I unfortunately identified with Scott with the whole stubbornness and whole pushing people when I want them a little closer. (3.5 stars)
February 9, 2015
Heartbreaking but also heartwarming and really amazing
The thing I love most about reading is that an author can create whatever story or situation he or she wants to. And some people will either love what was created or they'll hate it. From the reviews and comments it seems that people can't imagine a gay man being in love (truly in love) with a woman. But the beauty of our world is that we are not one size fits all. What one person can't imagine doing or being may be perfectly suitable for someone else. No one should be allowed to tell anyone else who to love. There is too much judgmental garbage in this world already.
I also think having Shelly narrate part of the book was brilliant. It gave us a different perspective on what was happening. Much more so than we would have gotten if Scott had narrated it himself. I loved the differing points of view. And I found the story itself to be incredibly engaging. I read it in one sitting, staying up until 2:30am to finish.
I think Sloan told this story beautifully. I really enjoyed the back and forth and slow build between Scott and Chris. She portrayed their emotions and feelings so perfectly. I truly can't say anything but good things about this book.
The thing I love most about reading is that an author can create whatever story or situation he or she wants to. And some people will either love what was created or they'll hate it. From the reviews and comments it seems that people can't imagine a gay man being in love (truly in love) with a woman. But the beauty of our world is that we are not one size fits all. What one person can't imagine doing or being may be perfectly suitable for someone else. No one should be allowed to tell anyone else who to love. There is too much judgmental garbage in this world already.
I also think having Shelly narrate part of the book was brilliant. It gave us a different perspective on what was happening. Much more so than we would have gotten if Scott had narrated it himself. I loved the differing points of view. And I found the story itself to be incredibly engaging. I read it in one sitting, staying up until 2:30am to finish.
I think Sloan told this story beautifully. I really enjoyed the back and forth and slow build between Scott and Chris. She portrayed their emotions and feelings so perfectly. I truly can't say anything but good things about this book.
February 15, 2015
"I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads"
**Warning** This is very likely to make you cry - think about where you are before you start - and make sure you have a new box of tissues. You might also want to make sure that you have time to read the whole book in one go, as it is difficult to put it down. Luckily I was alone, and had the night to use up reading it!
Very emotionally written, great cast, lots of things to make you think and some off the wall chemistry make this is really good book. Although gender obviously played a role in the plot, this was an excellent story about two people who found each other in a time of great need. Ms Johnson did an amazing job developing a well crafted story. I would definitely reread it, once I have replenished my stock of tissues. The story was intense, and my crying was ugly, but I am so glad that I read it.
**Warning** This is very likely to make you cry - think about where you are before you start - and make sure you have a new box of tissues. You might also want to make sure that you have time to read the whole book in one go, as it is difficult to put it down. Luckily I was alone, and had the night to use up reading it!
Very emotionally written, great cast, lots of things to make you think and some off the wall chemistry make this is really good book. Although gender obviously played a role in the plot, this was an excellent story about two people who found each other in a time of great need. Ms Johnson did an amazing job developing a well crafted story. I would definitely reread it, once I have replenished my stock of tissues. The story was intense, and my crying was ugly, but I am so glad that I read it.
February 23, 2015
I received this book from Enticing Journey Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
This is a raw and heartbreaking tale of grief, loss, hope and love. It is written from the first perspective, but you get three different points of view, so this style may not be for everyone. Personally, I loved it and thought that it gave the story a tighter knit. I wasn't even at 2% on my Kindle and I was already crying!
This isn't your usual tale of insta-love and lust, followed by miscommunications and jealousy. No, this story involves loved one having to make the hardest decision of all, leaving loved ones behind and how those that are left behind deal with the pain and grief that never ends, although it is easier to deal with in time.
The love story in this is poignant and heartfelt and I felt that the story was fully supported, both by main and supporting characters. I won't give any of the story away but I will say that I loved every word.
A brilliant story, executed with precision and poise. Absolutely wonderful and I have already recommended this to friends via my book page on Facebook!
This is a raw and heartbreaking tale of grief, loss, hope and love. It is written from the first perspective, but you get three different points of view, so this style may not be for everyone. Personally, I loved it and thought that it gave the story a tighter knit. I wasn't even at 2% on my Kindle and I was already crying!
This isn't your usual tale of insta-love and lust, followed by miscommunications and jealousy. No, this story involves loved one having to make the hardest decision of all, leaving loved ones behind and how those that are left behind deal with the pain and grief that never ends, although it is easier to deal with in time.
The love story in this is poignant and heartfelt and I felt that the story was fully supported, both by main and supporting characters. I won't give any of the story away but I will say that I loved every word.
A brilliant story, executed with precision and poise. Absolutely wonderful and I have already recommended this to friends via my book page on Facebook!
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