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We Found Love
It’s no surprise Riley Connors is dealing with issues. He was kidnapped as a young boy, and his parents abandoned him after his newsworthy return. He bounced from foster home to facility and back. Now an adult, ghosts from his past continue to haunt him. After a suicide attempt, he is locked away in Hartfield so that people can make him tune in to emotions he has tried to bury.
Hunter Morgan had the kind of love that spans ages. But the stress of college and adulthood became too much to handle, and the love of Hunter’s life turned to drugs. After he overdoses, Hunter finds himself soaring out of control on the same miserable path. His brother finds him and calls an ambulance, and the sister Hunter would rather not have calls it a suicide attempt, landing Hunter in Hartfield.
Finding love isn’t easy, but it can happen under the most dire circumstances. Together Hunter and Riley may be able to grow from their pain. But they will need to learn to live for themselves, letting love come second.
Hunter Morgan had the kind of love that spans ages. But the stress of college and adulthood became too much to handle, and the love of Hunter’s life turned to drugs. After he overdoses, Hunter finds himself soaring out of control on the same miserable path. His brother finds him and calls an ambulance, and the sister Hunter would rather not have calls it a suicide attempt, landing Hunter in Hartfield.
Finding love isn’t easy, but it can happen under the most dire circumstances. Together Hunter and Riley may be able to grow from their pain. But they will need to learn to live for themselves, letting love come second.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2015
35 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Kade Boehme
37 books1,046 followersKade Boehme is the epitome of dorkdom, only watching TV when Rachel Maddow or one of his sports teams is on. Most of his free time is spent dancing, arguing politics or with his nose in a book. He is also a hardcore Britney Spears fangirl and has an addiction to glitter.
It was after writing a short story about boys who loved each other for a less than reputable adult website that he found his true calling, and hopefully a bit more class. He hopes to write about all the romance that he personally finds himself allergic to but that others can fall in love with. He maintains that life is real and the stories should be, as well.
It was after writing a short story about boys who loved each other for a less than reputable adult website that he found his true calling, and hopefully a bit more class. He hopes to write about all the romance that he personally finds himself allergic to but that others can fall in love with. He maintains that life is real and the stories should be, as well.
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December 21, 2014So two of my favorite books found love?
+
=
Awesome.
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Awesome.
September 1, 2016
Guys, don't crucify me for this, but I just don't see what the hype is about! I had the hardest time getting through this one.
Sometimes a book that clicks for everyone else just whooshes right over my head. This was my first Allison Cassatta book and my third Kade Boehme, and despite the positive press around this one I just didn't feel it.
The beginning of this book is really compelling. Riley getting kidnapped and then rescued was a very powerful start to the story. However, I didn't really get why his parents abandoned him after he was found, and I felt like that was an avenue that could have used more exploring.
Once Riley and Hunter meet in Hartfield I was expecting the story to really get going. Instead, my pet peeves seemed to just pile up. I don't like when characters are constantly reading emotion in each other's eyes, like "sadness" or "hunger" or "longing." It just seems like a cop-out way of telling instead of showing emotions. There was a lot of that here. I also felt like Riley trusted Hunter way too easily and that their relationship grew too intense over such a short period of time. With Riley's painful past, I was expecting him to be much more guarded and less open. It didn't feel right with his character.
Sometimes, I can attribute my lack of connection to the audio reading, but I think that the narrator, Michael Ferraiulo, did a nice job. It wasn't the best audio I've heard, but I liked the differentiation between the two voices and his effort overall.
I'll admit, because I was so disconnected from the story, I sped up the narration quite a bit in an effort to finish. With an audiobook that is 7+ hours long, if you aren't interested after 3 hours of listening, it is hard to stay motivated to listen.
I know I'm in the very, very minority with this one. Some of my most trusted friends loved this. However, it just didn't mesh well for me.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
January 1, 2015
Oh gosh, where to start... this was such an emotionally charged story. This is the story of two broken souls who find each other when they're both at their lowest. They meet at a mental institution.
What I loved:
*Dual POV
*Great main characters. You can't help but love and pull for them.
*The supporting cast.
*CHARACTER GROWTH!
*Story flow
The question that always gets asked- steam: pretty low. These guys had so much shit going on upstairs not much room to think about downstairs. lol
Overall, this was a 4.5 Star read for me. I love stories of hope, of finding the strength within yourself and this is exactly what Kade Boehme and Allison Cassatta delivered. Well done.
January 6, 2015
"We found love in a hopeless place..." Ain't that the damn truth.
This book was about facing your past demons and realizing that until you do that, head on, the past is where you will continue living, with no real hope for a future.
Riley has been living in fear and isolation since being kidnapped from ages 6 to 10, then being abandoned by his mother and bouncing around, unloved, in the system until he eventually attempts suicide and gets locked away.
Hunter hasn't been living since losing his first love to a partying lifestyle and drug use that began when they started college at Tulane in New Orleans, 4 years ago. And on the day of his mother's funeral, a drug and alcohol overdose land him in the hospital.
The book does not focus on explicit details of Riley's kidnapping or of Hunter's experiences as Cody's life spiraled into drug addiction, infidelity and ultimately his life-ending overdose.
I would have liked a few more details into both those backstories, but they weren't essential to the story as it was told. So that's just me being greedy and wanting more than the "once upon a time there was a boy" styled run down that the book delivers.
The first half of the book focuses on how Riley and Hunter meet at Hartfield, a mental hospital, and each begins their healing process by being one another's rock (and then heart) during those few short months.
Once Hunter is released, he and Riley stay in contact through letters, but they don't discuss happily ever afters because Riley still believes that he is a "lifer" and won't be getting out. Ever.
But eventually Riley realizes when a mutual friend commits suicide after being readmitted to Hartsfield that he doesn't want to die. That he wants a real life.
One of the best parts of the book for me was when Riley admits to his psychiatrist that he doesn't want to die any more, either inside the walls of Hartfield or out.
So Riley begins doing the hard work he's avoided to help himself heal and get released.
Then nearly a year later, when it is possible for Riley and Hunter to actually *be* together, I liked the fact that the story didn't take the clichéd route of Riley and Hunter running into one another's arms in a field of wild flowers as cherubs flittered above their heads.
They both realized that they still had to work on themselves first, which was the only way that anything real could happen between a manic depressive and a recovering alcoholic reestablishing their places in the world.
The book handled that part very well and we do get our happily ever after, but not until they've each sledge hammered the huge boulders of their own individual problems into much more manageable sized rocks.
This was not a *fluffy* story and for a large portion of the book, this was not what I would call a happy read, but I'm extremely glad that I read it.
4 1/2 very solid stars for this book and I highly recommend it, but only if you're in the mood to read something more substantial than glitter and rainbows.
This book was about facing your past demons and realizing that until you do that, head on, the past is where you will continue living, with no real hope for a future.
Riley has been living in fear and isolation since being kidnapped from ages 6 to 10, then being abandoned by his mother and bouncing around, unloved, in the system until he eventually attempts suicide and gets locked away.
Hunter hasn't been living since losing his first love to a partying lifestyle and drug use that began when they started college at Tulane in New Orleans, 4 years ago. And on the day of his mother's funeral, a drug and alcohol overdose land him in the hospital.
The book does not focus on explicit details of Riley's kidnapping or of Hunter's experiences as Cody's life spiraled into drug addiction, infidelity and ultimately his life-ending overdose.
I would have liked a few more details into both those backstories, but they weren't essential to the story as it was told. So that's just me being greedy and wanting more than the "once upon a time there was a boy" styled run down that the book delivers.
The first half of the book focuses on how Riley and Hunter meet at Hartfield, a mental hospital, and each begins their healing process by being one another's rock (and then heart) during those few short months.
Riley immediately returned the kiss, but shyly. Hunter forced himself not to go trying to tongue smother the guy, but he was overcome with the need to show Riley how much he liked him. But this wasn’t a bar, and Riley wasn’t a hookup. This was Riley, and those soft lips moving against Hunter’s were enough to make his heart try to sprout wings.
Once Hunter is released, he and Riley stay in contact through letters, but they don't discuss happily ever afters because Riley still believes that he is a "lifer" and won't be getting out. Ever.
I wish you’d help yourself too.
You need to help yourself too.
But eventually Riley realizes when a mutual friend commits suicide after being readmitted to Hartsfield that he doesn't want to die. That he wants a real life.
“None of you really care. He’s just another nutcase who offed himself. Well, fuck y’all. Hartfield can’t have me.”
One of the best parts of the book for me was when Riley admits to his psychiatrist that he doesn't want to die any more, either inside the walls of Hartfield or out.
“I don’t believe you, Riley.”
“You don’t matter, Doc. I believe it.”
So Riley begins doing the hard work he's avoided to help himself heal and get released.
Then nearly a year later, when it is possible for Riley and Hunter to actually *be* together, I liked the fact that the story didn't take the clichéd route of Riley and Hunter running into one another's arms in a field of wild flowers as cherubs flittered above their heads.
They both realized that they still had to work on themselves first, which was the only way that anything real could happen between a manic depressive and a recovering alcoholic reestablishing their places in the world.
The book handled that part very well and we do get our happily ever after, but not until they've each sledge hammered the huge boulders of their own individual problems into much more manageable sized rocks.
This was not a *fluffy* story and for a large portion of the book, this was not what I would call a happy read, but I'm extremely glad that I read it.
4 1/2 very solid stars for this book and I highly recommend it, but only if you're in the mood to read something more substantial than glitter and rainbows.
October 23, 2015
BR with Elsbeth, who stayed up ‘til 3 am to finish this book!
Elsbeth’s review
What a beautiful book. I love love loved it.
This is a story of two broken people who are drawn to each other from the start. I love books where there is this instant connection that grows into something more. Hunter and Riley have known it from the day they met, what they have is something special.
At first I was kind of afraid about a ‘healthy’ romance between two men who met while in a mental institution. Because you can only love someone with your whole heart if you love yourself as well..
But the writers did a great job with this one! It felt real without there being unnecessary angst and too much problems along the way. Yes, these men have severe issues, but they were (eventually) willing to do something about it.
And the stolen moments between them.. So so beautiful.
He kissed Riley. He had to. He didn’t even patiently probe, just pressed their lips together before sliding his tongue into Riley’s mouth. Riley whimpered, insinuating himself between Hunter’s open legs, and melted against him. The kiss didn’ t last very long, but they drank from each other as deeply as they could. When they parted, their breathing was heavy and they wore twin grins. “Me too,” Riley said, voice husky. “Missed it too.”
These men were adorable together.
They would do anything for one another. Even if that meant taking care of yourself first. Getting better so you can offer yourself to another person.
God, I loved this one.
Elsbeth’s review
What a beautiful book. I love love loved it.
This is a story of two broken people who are drawn to each other from the start. I love books where there is this instant connection that grows into something more. Hunter and Riley have known it from the day they met, what they have is something special.
At first I was kind of afraid about a ‘healthy’ romance between two men who met while in a mental institution. Because you can only love someone with your whole heart if you love yourself as well..
But the writers did a great job with this one! It felt real without there being unnecessary angst and too much problems along the way. Yes, these men have severe issues, but they were (eventually) willing to do something about it.
And the stolen moments between them.. So so beautiful.
He kissed Riley. He had to. He didn’t even patiently probe, just pressed their lips together before sliding his tongue into Riley’s mouth. Riley whimpered, insinuating himself between Hunter’s open legs, and melted against him. The kiss didn’ t last very long, but they drank from each other as deeply as they could. When they parted, their breathing was heavy and they wore twin grins. “Me too,” Riley said, voice husky. “Missed it too.”
These men were adorable together.
They would do anything for one another. Even if that meant taking care of yourself first. Getting better so you can offer yourself to another person.
God, I loved this one.
February 15, 2015
Eva, thank you so much for this recommendation! I loved this story... so beautiful and giving so much hope for those who feel lost in their lives...
February 5, 2015
4 hopeful stars
This was a beautiful, emotional love story.
There were a lot of sad and heartbreaking moments
But there were also incredibly sweet and tender ones as Riley realises that Hunter is someone who cares for him and wants him to help himself live a life he doesn't think he deserves.
They both, especially Riley, needed to fix themselves before they could move into a relationship. This makes their HEA more believable.
I think there is a potential for book two. I'd really like to know more about Hunter and Riley. And more back-story of both Hunter and Riley would be really nice addition too. Please?
Quite an incredible read but its not a light one. Read the blurb for potential triggers and ... enjoy. I did.
This was a beautiful, emotional love story.
There were a lot of sad and heartbreaking moments
But there were also incredibly sweet and tender ones as Riley realises that Hunter is someone who cares for him and wants him to help himself live a life he doesn't think he deserves.
They both, especially Riley, needed to fix themselves before they could move into a relationship. This makes their HEA more believable.
“Hunter’s eyes popped open, and he looked longingly at Riley’s, pleading for something Riley didn’t know how to provide. “I can’t do that. I won’t do that. I won’t go down like that. I’m going to help myself.” He slid his hands down to raise his shirt front and wiped his face of its messy emotions. When he turned his attention back to Riley, he loudly inhaled, exhaled. “I wish you’d help yourself too.”
I think there is a potential for book two. I'd really like to know more about Hunter and Riley. And more back-story of both Hunter and Riley would be really nice addition too. Please?
Quite an incredible read but its not a light one. Read the blurb for potential triggers and ... enjoy. I did.
March 10, 2016
4.5 stars
This was a beautiful, emotional love story. I was completely engaged and really invested in Riley and Hunter. While there were a lot of sad and heartbreaking moments, there were also incredibly sweet ones as Riley realizes that Hunter is someone who cares for him and wants him to help himself live a life he doesn't think he deserves.
It would have been a flat out 5 star read for me, but I kept wanting just a little bit more about Riley's path to Hartfield.
This was a beautiful, emotional love story. I was completely engaged and really invested in Riley and Hunter. While there were a lot of sad and heartbreaking moments, there were also incredibly sweet ones as Riley realizes that Hunter is someone who cares for him and wants him to help himself live a life he doesn't think he deserves.
It would have been a flat out 5 star read for me, but I kept wanting just a little bit more about Riley's path to Hartfield.
July 13, 2015
Scored an ARC copy from Kade himself...I can't wait to dive in!
***********4.5 stars bumped up to 5 because these two guys worked so hard to get (not so much the ending they deserved but to get) their start of something amazing!*******
*thoughts soon!*
***********4.5 stars bumped up to 5 because these two guys worked so hard to get (not so much the ending they deserved but to get) their start of something amazing!*******
*thoughts soon!*
January 7, 2015
3.5 STARS
April 24, 2016
BR, January 20th with Susan
Susan's review
Yeah, I stayed up yesterday till 3am. It was that good!!
I just could fill this review with quotes only! Beautifully written about two men who found love in a hopeless place.
Riley has been institutionalized in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt. At the age of 6 years he was kidnapped and tortured for 4 years. He was rescued and then “thrown” away by his parents afterwards. He then became victim of the “Foster Care” and never experienced love....
He meets Hunter and they are immediately drawn to each other.
Hunter was admitted to the mental hospital because of this alcohol and drug abuse
I loved Riley and Hunter. Their sweet moments… They really cared for one another
After two months Hunter is released and they keep in touch through letters. Neither of them have the hope of seeing each other again. Because Riley is convinced he’s there for always, a “lifer”, always being the victim of his past!!
Eventually when something happens at the mental hospital, Riley discovers he just doesn’t want to die and begins to cooperate with the program….
I loved that the HEA was not “fairy-tale-like” It was realistic and both the guys realized they had to work to get better for themselves before even “getting together”
This was a memorable book, I’m still in awe!!
============================================
We are going to do this!!
Susan's review
Yeah, I stayed up yesterday till 3am. It was that good!!
I just could fill this review with quotes only! Beautifully written about two men who found love in a hopeless place.
Riley has been institutionalized in a mental hospital after a suicide attempt. At the age of 6 years he was kidnapped and tortured for 4 years. He was rescued and then “thrown” away by his parents afterwards. He then became victim of the “Foster Care” and never experienced love....
He meets Hunter and they are immediately drawn to each other.
Hunter was admitted to the mental hospital because of this alcohol and drug abuse
I loved Riley and Hunter. Their sweet moments… They really cared for one another
"I can't do that. I WON'T do that. I won't go down like that. I'm going to help myself."
When he turned his attention back to Riley, he'd loudley inhaled, exhaled. "I wish you'd help yourself too."
“He was NOT going to cry over Riley’s scars, not cry for the boy Riley had been, but celebrate and make love to the man Riley had become. Scars and all.”
After two months Hunter is released and they keep in touch through letters. Neither of them have the hope of seeing each other again. Because Riley is convinced he’s there for always, a “lifer”, always being the victim of his past!!
Eventually when something happens at the mental hospital, Riley discovers he just doesn’t want to die and begins to cooperate with the program….
“It felt good to be needed, didn’t it?”
“Yeah, it did. Nobody’s ever needed me before.”
“You’re wrong.” the doctor said.
“You need you.”
I loved that the HEA was not “fairy-tale-like” It was realistic and both the guys realized they had to work to get better for themselves before even “getting together”
This was a memorable book, I’m still in awe!!
============================================
We are going to do this!!
January 5, 2015
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. From the first page to the last I was riveted; I needed to know how these two broken and damaged souls would ever manage to find their Happily Ever After.
And what an emotional roller coaster of a ride we are taken on. The language is beautiful the feelings are rough and raw and though you will be thrilled with the outcome, the getting there is pure delicious angst.
I loved every word on every page
Now about that book for Chad......
:)
And what an emotional roller coaster of a ride we are taken on. The language is beautiful the feelings are rough and raw and though you will be thrilled with the outcome, the getting there is pure delicious angst.
I loved every word on every page
Now about that book for Chad......
:)
February 13, 2015
Full review on Prism Book Alliance
From word one, I had no doubt that this would be a rather angsty read. I was accurate in my prediction.
The first few chapters had this disjointed frenetic energy to them. Break through that were a few moments that felt grounded and contained some logic in relation to what the story appeared to be. Surreal. That’s the word that best describes it for me.
Reality soon landed, though, supplanting that dreamlike non-linear feeling. Unfortunately, this made the disconnected quality of the writing more obvious to me. The words were telling me about the emotion that was there but the word choices instead felt stiff and stilted. I kept reading because the main characters, Riley and Hunter, were interesting and kept teasing me with tidbits about their lives, current and past, and I wanted to find out what was going to happen.
Both Riley and Hunter take turns in narrating but in a removed way. I connected with them in certain moments, but then it would slip through my fingertips. Still, I kept reading, hoping to feel that connection again and more deeply.
The interesting thing is the dialogue is good. It matches the characters, conveys their emotions well and made it feel real. These are the moments in which I most felt the connection to Riley and Hunter. My curiosity was poked and piqued and needed to be satisfied. Always a good thing to evoke in a reader.
Riley and Hunter are sweet together, even from early on. They both put themselves out there in ways they were able, comforting and gently pushing one another to begin ridding themselves of the years of pain and baggage they’re each carrying around. Some of their conversations, and inner dialogue, were peppered with some fun turns of phrase.
All of this boils down to an unsteady push and pull that made it difficult for me to get a firm hold on the story and the characters. The story more so than the characters, though. The characters were rather well fleshed out but maybe the authors weren’t quite sure how to fully utilize them? On the flipside, there’s no mistaking where this story takes place, the why and how, but with so much more telling than showing in both thought and emotion, the story kept slipping from my grasp. Nothing is left unsaid with nearly everything being readily handed over. It feels like an incredibly personal story that the authors may not have been completely ready to share. Just a feeling, nothing more than that.
This has a very good message regarding productive, meaningful therapy and how it can truly be helpful. Helpful seems too light a term, actually. It can be life changing. Not in a grand sweeping way, more in that it can help someone get back to who they really are, maybe an even better version. This I’ve experienced and very much like its portrayal here. Ok, not so much some of the idiot orderlies and doctors, and the feel of the place itself, but you get a good doctor and it can click and mean so much.
Speaking of place, the physical descriptions them and the characters made it very easy for me to picture it all. I translated to a comfort I felt in reading a story about not so comfortable subjects and two guys trying to deal with them.
All in all, this was a wobbly trip that ended in an emotional ending for me. :)
From word one, I had no doubt that this would be a rather angsty read. I was accurate in my prediction.
The first few chapters had this disjointed frenetic energy to them. Break through that were a few moments that felt grounded and contained some logic in relation to what the story appeared to be. Surreal. That’s the word that best describes it for me.
Reality soon landed, though, supplanting that dreamlike non-linear feeling. Unfortunately, this made the disconnected quality of the writing more obvious to me. The words were telling me about the emotion that was there but the word choices instead felt stiff and stilted. I kept reading because the main characters, Riley and Hunter, were interesting and kept teasing me with tidbits about their lives, current and past, and I wanted to find out what was going to happen.
Both Riley and Hunter take turns in narrating but in a removed way. I connected with them in certain moments, but then it would slip through my fingertips. Still, I kept reading, hoping to feel that connection again and more deeply.
The interesting thing is the dialogue is good. It matches the characters, conveys their emotions well and made it feel real. These are the moments in which I most felt the connection to Riley and Hunter. My curiosity was poked and piqued and needed to be satisfied. Always a good thing to evoke in a reader.
Riley and Hunter are sweet together, even from early on. They both put themselves out there in ways they were able, comforting and gently pushing one another to begin ridding themselves of the years of pain and baggage they’re each carrying around. Some of their conversations, and inner dialogue, were peppered with some fun turns of phrase.
All of this boils down to an unsteady push and pull that made it difficult for me to get a firm hold on the story and the characters. The story more so than the characters, though. The characters were rather well fleshed out but maybe the authors weren’t quite sure how to fully utilize them? On the flipside, there’s no mistaking where this story takes place, the why and how, but with so much more telling than showing in both thought and emotion, the story kept slipping from my grasp. Nothing is left unsaid with nearly everything being readily handed over. It feels like an incredibly personal story that the authors may not have been completely ready to share. Just a feeling, nothing more than that.
This has a very good message regarding productive, meaningful therapy and how it can truly be helpful. Helpful seems too light a term, actually. It can be life changing. Not in a grand sweeping way, more in that it can help someone get back to who they really are, maybe an even better version. This I’ve experienced and very much like its portrayal here. Ok, not so much some of the idiot orderlies and doctors, and the feel of the place itself, but you get a good doctor and it can click and mean so much.
Speaking of place, the physical descriptions them and the characters made it very easy for me to picture it all. I translated to a comfort I felt in reading a story about not so comfortable subjects and two guys trying to deal with them.
All in all, this was a wobbly trip that ended in an emotional ending for me. :)
March 21, 2015
We Found Love is a story about two people fighting personal demons.
It is a tale of two kindred souls who just need someone to care.
It is about
Riley...
who's a manic depressive. He was kidnapped when he was 6, and tortured for 4 endless years. He's hopeless. He calls himself a lifer.
...and Hunter...
who's an alcoholic. He lost someone and couldn't recover from the grief. So, he turned to drugs and alcohol. He's Riley's savior.
Hunter's eyes popped open, and he looked longingly at Riley's, pleading for something Riley didn't know how to provide. "I can't do that. I won't do that. I won't go down like that. I'm going to help myself."
He slid his hands down to raise his shirt front and wiped his face of its messy emotions. When he turned his attention back to Riley, he loudly inhaled, exhaled. "I wish you'd help yourself too."
They meet in a hopeless place, a mental hospital, but they learn to hope, and ultimately, they find love.
The hospital is against fraternizing. But Riley and Hunter find ways to be together.
There are gentle stolen touches, like a brushing of their knuckles...
...and a forbidden abandoned wing, which serves as an escape place, and where they can indulge in each other...
They have issues to work out on their own, and their relationship is not all sunshine and flowers, but they're determined to make it.
And the cherry on top? This book has one of the best epilogues I've ever read! Just beautiful!
I can't recommend this story highly enough! It was exactly my cup of tea, and utterly perfect at that!
February 19, 2015
This book should have been so much more!
It could have been an amazing dark/sad with tone of emotions... Yea, the kind of books I adore.
But I'm so sorry it did not effect me like I anticipated it to.
The story begins at a very emotional and sad moment in Riley's life, he is just been found by the police, after four years as a Missing Child. He was kidnapped at the age of 6, and now, four years later, after being finally rescued, all he wants is to go home to his mom and dad.
But,and here is where I think my problem with connecting to the MC and the story started, his parents are leaving him to the authorities to deal with, never to meet him again (really??) yes, just like that, without even trying, or for us, the readers, to see any common sense in that move, he is alone, again.
It needed more telling and dealing with!
Fast forward 10 years, Riley is in a mental hospital for over 18 months now, after trying to commit suicide.
We are there, with him, on the day Hunter is being admitted to stay in the ward after he was found unconscious with alcohol overdose.
Here is my next problem, Riley and Hunter are becoming best friends/lovers so fast (the next day) that it was just not believable to me.
They have their fare share of things to deal with, and it's interesting to see them together, especially the fact that Hunter wasn't really trying to commit suicide, but Riley is indeed a threat to himself (what they call a "lifer").
They are sweet when they are together, and I liked them, but it should have been a story that I was in love with the MC's and want to reach into my kindle to help them, and it wasn't.
:(
It could have been an amazing dark/sad with tone of emotions... Yea, the kind of books I adore.
But I'm so sorry it did not effect me like I anticipated it to.
The story begins at a very emotional and sad moment in Riley's life, he is just been found by the police, after four years as a Missing Child. He was kidnapped at the age of 6, and now, four years later, after being finally rescued, all he wants is to go home to his mom and dad.
But,and here is where I think my problem with connecting to the MC and the story started, his parents are leaving him to the authorities to deal with, never to meet him again (really??) yes, just like that, without even trying, or for us, the readers, to see any common sense in that move, he is alone, again.
It needed more telling and dealing with!
Fast forward 10 years, Riley is in a mental hospital for over 18 months now, after trying to commit suicide.
We are there, with him, on the day Hunter is being admitted to stay in the ward after he was found unconscious with alcohol overdose.
Here is my next problem, Riley and Hunter are becoming best friends/lovers so fast (the next day) that it was just not believable to me.
They have their fare share of things to deal with, and it's interesting to see them together, especially the fact that Hunter wasn't really trying to commit suicide, but Riley is indeed a threat to himself (what they call a "lifer").
They are sweet when they are together, and I liked them, but it should have been a story that I was in love with the MC's and want to reach into my kindle to help them, and it wasn't.
:(
January 23, 2016
An i like it to this book.
Maybe this book is better than i think it was, i mean the story was really sweet and heartbreaking, but i kind of feel everything happen so fast, so at the end i like it the book, yes both of them still have to fight with shit, yes they probably going to have a hard time the other couples do, but there it is the amazing feeling that if they continue together everything is going to be okay, so for that i like it the book.
Maybe this book is better than i think it was, i mean the story was really sweet and heartbreaking, but i kind of feel everything happen so fast, so at the end i like it the book, yes both of them still have to fight with shit, yes they probably going to have a hard time the other couples do, but there it is the amazing feeling that if they continue together everything is going to be okay, so for that i like it the book.
April 16, 2022
I was totally expecting fucked up backgrounds and it would have probably fit right in here but I'm kinda happy that there wasn't. There wasn't even any unnecessary drama and while they did jump into their relationship a bit too fast for me it was understandable considering their circumstances.
January 30, 2015
Oh, the feelz in this one. Emotionally intense, I loved Riley and Hunter from the start....and even Jerry the orderly. Another winner from Kade...two in two days!! 4.5 stars from me.
November 8, 2017
Sometimes you find love where you least expect it...
Riley's had the life that no child deserves...kidnapped at an early age and held hostage for 4 years, rejected by his parents when he's finally free of his kidnappers, he spends the rest of his childhood going back and forth between foster homes and institutions finally ending up in Hartfield as a lifer.
Hunter finds himself in Hartfield after spinning out of control leading to what Hunter claims was an accidental overdose. While his brother calls an ambulance, his sister claims it was attempted suicide leading to Hunter being admitted to Hartfield where he and Riley meet and quickly drawn to each other.
Two men both damaged, emotionally fragile, grieving loss in their lives. It's a bad situation to start a relationship in and as Hunter and Riley become closer and get to know each other, they also begin to realize things about themselves as well. It's the realization that in order to love someone else you have to care about yourself that forces both men to look at their lives with honesty and come to the realization that need to commit to themselves and fix their own lives before they can truly commit to a relationship.
There was a lot about this story that I enjoyed. I loved Hunter. Sure he was broken and emotionally fragile, but what he wasn't was self-centered. In spite of everything going on inside of him. He wasn't oblivious to what was going on with others and I really loved that in the end Hunter had the strength to do what he knew he needed to do to get himself to a better place even if it meant keeping distance between himself and the man he was falling in love with.
And Riley...he's probably one of the most heartbreaking characters I've encountered in a long time. I loved the way Riley was presented and that in spite of all he'd endured while he might have lost his way in the end he still found the strength start living his life and taking care of himself so that he could have a life...a good life.
And then there's Riley and Hunter together. They were cautious, sweet and so fragile even as a couple. Sometimes loving someone is about putting yourself first and making the hard decisions because you know it's what's right for both of you.
There were a lot of secondary characters in this story that I really liked as well...Hunter's brother, Bubba (Shane) another person that Riley and Hunter met at Hartfield. The nurses and doctors throughout this story. While they weren't all wonderful and some were definitely better professionals than others...that's how it is in the real world too and I liked that for me it added a layer of realism to the story.
This wasn't a happy, cheerful story...it wasn't a story filled with fun and fluff but it was a story that had hope and possibility and in the end there was love and all that it can offer when it's good and right.
This was all given depth and made even more enjoyable for me through by the narration of Michael Ferraiuolo. This is not the first audio book narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo that I've enjoyed and I have to admit that Hunter's voice was very reminiscent of one of my favorite audio characters from The Five Bouroughs' yeah...that's right we're talking about Oli here...I loved Oli's voice and Hunter's voice is so like Oli's...and this made me a happy girl.
Riley's had the life that no child deserves...kidnapped at an early age and held hostage for 4 years, rejected by his parents when he's finally free of his kidnappers, he spends the rest of his childhood going back and forth between foster homes and institutions finally ending up in Hartfield as a lifer.
Hunter finds himself in Hartfield after spinning out of control leading to what Hunter claims was an accidental overdose. While his brother calls an ambulance, his sister claims it was attempted suicide leading to Hunter being admitted to Hartfield where he and Riley meet and quickly drawn to each other.
Two men both damaged, emotionally fragile, grieving loss in their lives. It's a bad situation to start a relationship in and as Hunter and Riley become closer and get to know each other, they also begin to realize things about themselves as well. It's the realization that in order to love someone else you have to care about yourself that forces both men to look at their lives with honesty and come to the realization that need to commit to themselves and fix their own lives before they can truly commit to a relationship.
There was a lot about this story that I enjoyed. I loved Hunter. Sure he was broken and emotionally fragile, but what he wasn't was self-centered. In spite of everything going on inside of him. He wasn't oblivious to what was going on with others and I really loved that in the end Hunter had the strength to do what he knew he needed to do to get himself to a better place even if it meant keeping distance between himself and the man he was falling in love with.
And Riley...he's probably one of the most heartbreaking characters I've encountered in a long time. I loved the way Riley was presented and that in spite of all he'd endured while he might have lost his way in the end he still found the strength start living his life and taking care of himself so that he could have a life...a good life.
And then there's Riley and Hunter together. They were cautious, sweet and so fragile even as a couple. Sometimes loving someone is about putting yourself first and making the hard decisions because you know it's what's right for both of you.
There were a lot of secondary characters in this story that I really liked as well...Hunter's brother, Bubba (Shane) another person that Riley and Hunter met at Hartfield. The nurses and doctors throughout this story. While they weren't all wonderful and some were definitely better professionals than others...that's how it is in the real world too and I liked that for me it added a layer of realism to the story.
This wasn't a happy, cheerful story...it wasn't a story filled with fun and fluff but it was a story that had hope and possibility and in the end there was love and all that it can offer when it's good and right.
This was all given depth and made even more enjoyable for me through by the narration of Michael Ferraiuolo. This is not the first audio book narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo that I've enjoyed and I have to admit that Hunter's voice was very reminiscent of one of my favorite audio characters from The Five Bouroughs' yeah...that's right we're talking about Oli here...I loved Oli's voice and Hunter's voice is so like Oli's...and this made me a happy girl.
January 20, 2015
2.5 stars
In the prologue we learn Riley was kidnapped for 4 years and he didn't go back to his parents afterwards. In chapter 1 we learn a little bit of why Hunter ends up at Hartfield. For the whole book I waited for more information than these bare facts. How was Riley kidnapped, what happened to him in those 4 years, why didn't his parents want him after, what happened to him in foster care, how did he end up in Hartfield,...? Except for hints about scars we never get a real explanation. As for Hunter, at least he tells his story at a certain point but again just in a few lines and that's all we get.
How can we really connect with the MC's if we are giving so little information about their past? I just reread the blurb and we actually get (almost) more information there than in the book itself! They meet at a mental institution.. Shouldn't we get the full story of how they ended up there? Maybe I'm alone in this but it really bothered me.
The whole book just felt incomplete.
In the prologue we learn Riley was kidnapped for 4 years and he didn't go back to his parents afterwards. In chapter 1 we learn a little bit of why Hunter ends up at Hartfield. For the whole book I waited for more information than these bare facts. How was Riley kidnapped, what happened to him in those 4 years, why didn't his parents want him after, what happened to him in foster care, how did he end up in Hartfield,...? Except for hints about scars we never get a real explanation. As for Hunter, at least he tells his story at a certain point but again just in a few lines and that's all we get.
How can we really connect with the MC's if we are giving so little information about their past? I just reread the blurb and we actually get (almost) more information there than in the book itself! They meet at a mental institution.. Shouldn't we get the full story of how they ended up there? Maybe I'm alone in this but it really bothered me.
The whole book just felt incomplete.
January 10, 2015
....This has a little bit of everything, as well as 2 MC's you connect with and care for. Loved it, truly.
January 12, 2015
*** 4,5 stars***
“Wait. Secret place in a mental hospital? Isn’t that how horror movies always start?”
“When your whole life is a horror movie, what’s a little adventure?
Do you think you can't find love in a mental institute? Well, Riley and Hunter proved it wrong.
Two broken souls, struggled to fight their own fear, struggled to fight themselves and win, not an easy job, it needs a strong will to do that.
I really liked this story, I do understand how mental institution 'feels' like. Been working there in the past, and I know I can't work there for long, because the patients conditions, saddened me too much.
What they need is 'love' and 'care' from people around them. Good thing is, Riley and Hunter found each other.
It's kind of bitter and sweet at the same time to 'see' their journey to finally, be together. But it's worth it.They're fights for them, for the love they have. Riley and Hunter's love, is beautiful.
I loved the story since that captivating Prologue to the end. I'm glad I've chosen this book.
Good job, Kade.
Recommended !
January 9, 2015
This was an emotional ride. I really fell into this story and very much enjoyed there very tough journey.
January 2, 2016
3.75 Stars
Michael Ferraiuolo delivers a solid performance without going over the top in this quiet love story.
NOTE: You may find some spoilers within this review.
Riley is a boy who's been destroyed so badly he's considered a "lifer" at Hartfield, the mental institution he's been in for over two years, and he's been in and out of institutions for ten years. His story is heartbreaking and hopeful all at once because it's not until he has someone to show him his worth he begins to fight for himself and it is a beautiful thing to get to listen to.
Hunter, on the other hand, takes his own self-destruction to new lows. His circumstances end with a choice - confinement at Hartfield or prison. At Hartfield he gets roomed with Riley and it's frankly the best thing to ever happen to him. I just loved hearing the steps Hunter goes through to get better.
Ferraiuolo brings to life the pain, frustration, hope, happiness and love they find in a pretty hopeless place and at a very difficult time in both their lives.
I liked the dual POV, getting into both character's heads and seeing what they were feeling, because, frankly, there's a whole lot of "telling" in this story and not a lot of "showing"; a lot of what happens is mental, and for those looking for a steamy story - beware - the steam level here is really low. I didn't miss it though, because this really was more about the emotional connection more than any physical one.
To be honest, there were a couple of things I didn't like. I would have liked a little more action and steaminess; more time of them actually being able to be together. But my biggest complaint is I didn't like that I never got to find out what happened to Riley's parents or his abductors, John and Miranda Lee. I realize it's about how Riley's feeling and doing, but I would have loved at least one therapy session to include some tidbit about what had happened to the Lees and what ended up happening with his parents.
My imagination has John and Miranda Lee still in prison being tortured and beaten daily. I also hope his parents were shunned from their community after abandoning Riley and wound up being set upon by a vicious pack of wild dogs in some third world country - but that's more because I have a mean streak a mile wide, and I'm sure that's just me.
Bottom line: I enjoyed the realism, all the little things that add up to make this a sweet story about finding love in a hopeless place, and making yourself the best version of "you" before you make yourself an "us".
Recommended!
Buyer be aware: The editing and sound quality at times was a little grainy and glitchy, but does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Review Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
Michael Ferraiuolo delivers a solid performance without going over the top in this quiet love story.
NOTE: You may find some spoilers within this review.
Riley is a boy who's been destroyed so badly he's considered a "lifer" at Hartfield, the mental institution he's been in for over two years, and he's been in and out of institutions for ten years. His story is heartbreaking and hopeful all at once because it's not until he has someone to show him his worth he begins to fight for himself and it is a beautiful thing to get to listen to.
Hunter, on the other hand, takes his own self-destruction to new lows. His circumstances end with a choice - confinement at Hartfield or prison. At Hartfield he gets roomed with Riley and it's frankly the best thing to ever happen to him. I just loved hearing the steps Hunter goes through to get better.
Ferraiuolo brings to life the pain, frustration, hope, happiness and love they find in a pretty hopeless place and at a very difficult time in both their lives.
I liked the dual POV, getting into both character's heads and seeing what they were feeling, because, frankly, there's a whole lot of "telling" in this story and not a lot of "showing"; a lot of what happens is mental, and for those looking for a steamy story - beware - the steam level here is really low. I didn't miss it though, because this really was more about the emotional connection more than any physical one.
To be honest, there were a couple of things I didn't like. I would have liked a little more action and steaminess; more time of them actually being able to be together. But my biggest complaint is I didn't like that I never got to find out what happened to Riley's parents or his abductors, John and Miranda Lee. I realize it's about how Riley's feeling and doing, but I would have loved at least one therapy session to include some tidbit about what had happened to the Lees and what ended up happening with his parents.
My imagination has John and Miranda Lee still in prison being tortured and beaten daily. I also hope his parents were shunned from their community after abandoning Riley and wound up being set upon by a vicious pack of wild dogs in some third world country - but that's more because I have a mean streak a mile wide, and I'm sure that's just me.
Bottom line: I enjoyed the realism, all the little things that add up to make this a sweet story about finding love in a hopeless place, and making yourself the best version of "you" before you make yourself an "us".
Recommended!
Buyer be aware: The editing and sound quality at times was a little grainy and glitchy, but does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.
Review Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
Read
June 6, 2015I'm not sure that I can star this book,and this is less of a review, more half ramble, half therapy.
There was a boy, that I liked, a lot, when I was 18, who abused himself with drink, drugs, boys and girls, we were never anything more than friends, and for a while we shared a house. He could be the centre of the world one day all bright and sparkly funny, then withdrawn and cruel the next, at university in the late 1980's we all drank, smoked and had chemical 'fun' and his mood swings at first didn't seem any worse than anyone else's- until of course they did. He got more, and more aggressive and erratic, eventually we called his parents. They came from Croydon, and they took him back there. I the summer holidays he drove to Selsdon woods, and tried to kill himself, randomly a person walking a dog found him, and he was taken to Bethlem Hospital and sectioned.
Mental health for me, is a bit of a 'thing' in books, specifically romance books, where often it's glamourised to be quirky and solved by sex that turns to love. I understand that it wouldn't be a romance novel if it dealt with nitty gritty of counselling, of the drugs and the daily monotony of life in an institution; but there has to be belief.
On one hand, I found this a sweet and romantic book,in the hurt/ comfort vein, but because so much had to be glossed over, so that the focus could be on Rileys and Hunters relationship it lacked layers. There were elements that were frankly unbelievable - no visiting ? Combined with some really honest and emotional portrayals of love and trust.
On balance, when viewed as a kind of fairy story, then this works..
There was a boy, that I liked, a lot, when I was 18, who abused himself with drink, drugs, boys and girls, we were never anything more than friends, and for a while we shared a house. He could be the centre of the world one day all bright and sparkly funny, then withdrawn and cruel the next, at university in the late 1980's we all drank, smoked and had chemical 'fun' and his mood swings at first didn't seem any worse than anyone else's- until of course they did. He got more, and more aggressive and erratic, eventually we called his parents. They came from Croydon, and they took him back there. I the summer holidays he drove to Selsdon woods, and tried to kill himself, randomly a person walking a dog found him, and he was taken to Bethlem Hospital and sectioned.
Mental health for me, is a bit of a 'thing' in books, specifically romance books, where often it's glamourised to be quirky and solved by sex that turns to love. I understand that it wouldn't be a romance novel if it dealt with nitty gritty of counselling, of the drugs and the daily monotony of life in an institution; but there has to be belief.
On one hand, I found this a sweet and romantic book,in the hurt/ comfort vein, but because so much had to be glossed over, so that the focus could be on Rileys and Hunters relationship it lacked layers. There were elements that were frankly unbelievable - no visiting ? Combined with some really honest and emotional portrayals of love and trust.
On balance, when viewed as a kind of fairy story, then this works..
April 16, 2022
Yes, you can find love, in the craziest of circumstance. No pun intended. I enjoyed the growth both men made while in a locked down facility for the treatment of mental illness. Riley, our lifer, suffered severe trauma as a child. He's manic depressive. He's institutionalized, can't relate to people, tried to kill himself. One hot mess who reads One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, over and over. Doesn't get therapy and doesn't want it.
In comes Hunter. Gorgeous alcoholic. Overcome by the overdose death of his first true love. Hunter checks out and lands in the facility.
Forces collide spectacularly and we get to witness a friendship blossom between these two. The beginnings of something more perhaps. Maybe.
When the want to be normal, and free, and stable and alive comes, first for Hunter and ultimately for Riley, they do what they need to in order to get to their own happy place. Sounds easy but it's not. Two years pass before Riley and Hunter see each other again.
And there, Dear Friends, is where the love story simply transcends. Well worth the wait, to see these two men forgive themselves, learn to love themselves, and just be. Together.
Loved, loved, loved it. Great writing, great everything, wonky blurb aside. It doesn't begin to cover the true impact of this story. Relatable to us all.
In comes Hunter. Gorgeous alcoholic. Overcome by the overdose death of his first true love. Hunter checks out and lands in the facility.
Forces collide spectacularly and we get to witness a friendship blossom between these two. The beginnings of something more perhaps. Maybe.
When the want to be normal, and free, and stable and alive comes, first for Hunter and ultimately for Riley, they do what they need to in order to get to their own happy place. Sounds easy but it's not. Two years pass before Riley and Hunter see each other again.
And there, Dear Friends, is where the love story simply transcends. Well worth the wait, to see these two men forgive themselves, learn to love themselves, and just be. Together.
Loved, loved, loved it. Great writing, great everything, wonky blurb aside. It doesn't begin to cover the true impact of this story. Relatable to us all.
December 27, 2024
INFINITE STARS <3 <3 <3!!!! WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!! I am in <3 with this book. For thoughts and updates see LM.
Read the book, read the book, read the book!!! If you haven't guessed already, it is HIGHLY recommended!!
Read the book, read the book, read the book!!! If you haven't guessed already, it is HIGHLY recommended!!
March 8, 2015
Maybe it's just me, but while I enjoyed the story, it seemed a little flat. *shrugs* I think I should read it again at a later date.
May 17, 2015
This book killed me. I found out that it's possible to have a sore jaw from crying so hard. I think I started in the prologue and never stopped.
I loved Riley and Hunter! They were real. Honest. GAH! I love them.
I'll get to Riley in a minute, but Hunter really spoke to me. I'm about to get REALLY personal and ramble, but I need to get this out. If you read my reviews, I do this from time to time when something really speaks to me. If you read my reviews, you've found out that I'm a recovering drug addict. Some might have called me an alcoholic as well, but I never (and still don't) have an issue with booze. The "love of my life" died in my arms after an overdose. I've lost too many friends to drugs and suicide. Fuck, just this morning I found out a guy I went to HS with jumped off the draw bridge in my hometown and killed himself. He was 30 with 2 small kids. My hometown is VERY small. For fun there was bars or parties out in the boonies in the fields...keggers. "Party at the Moon Tower." Yeah, my HS years was like Dazed and Confused and I was Slater. I was a hot mess and there was no way out. I tell Eric, my husband, he saved my life all the time. He did and I'm thankful for him. Without him I would either be dead or dead. I never went to rehab. I detoxed on my own. It was scary and horrid. I've been clean for 13 years now though. I don't regret my life before, but there are some things I would like to change. I have 2 suicide attempts, a drug addiction, pregnancy scares galore due to my sleeping with anyone with a pulse, and 8 friends dead in a span of 6 months. I have no idea how I survived it all, but I did and I'm here. I FELT Hunter. Shit, I WAS Hunter.
Now, onto Riley. Riley's story was heartbreaking. Like I said before, I started crying in the Prologue. I would have liked to know the why's and how's, but I got enough. Riley hated life. He got the shitty end of the stick and it showed. He was so angry and rightfully so. His hopelessness was palpable.
The remember the exact moment I fell in love with Riley and Hunter.
These two were locked in away and obviously couldn't have an open relationship, but they found ways. The forbidden wing, the subtle knuckle touches, and the brushes of the shoulders. It all showed they were there and they cared.
I loved Bubba and eventually Jerry. I loved Riley's outbursts. I loved Riley yelling at the orderlies. I think it may have been one of the hardest times I cried. When I say I cried forever, I'm not kidding. I went through an entire box of tissues and opened another one. My husband walked in to tell me he was leaving and he looked at me and said "can you even see?" I shook my head no and continued to cry.
"Fuck you. Stop treating him like he was a nobody. That's what's wrong with this place." Riley stabbed his finger in the air. "None of you really care. He's just another nutcase Well, fuck y'all. Hartfield can't have me."
This book was real. This story pulled at my heartstrings. This book killed me.
Now Chad's book. Perhaps with
I loved Riley and Hunter! They were real. Honest. GAH! I love them.
I'll get to Riley in a minute, but Hunter really spoke to me. I'm about to get REALLY personal and ramble, but I need to get this out. If you read my reviews, I do this from time to time when something really speaks to me. If you read my reviews, you've found out that I'm a recovering drug addict. Some might have called me an alcoholic as well, but I never (and still don't) have an issue with booze. The "love of my life" died in my arms after an overdose. I've lost too many friends to drugs and suicide. Fuck, just this morning I found out a guy I went to HS with jumped off the draw bridge in my hometown and killed himself. He was 30 with 2 small kids. My hometown is VERY small. For fun there was bars or parties out in the boonies in the fields...keggers. "Party at the Moon Tower." Yeah, my HS years was like Dazed and Confused and I was Slater. I was a hot mess and there was no way out. I tell Eric, my husband, he saved my life all the time. He did and I'm thankful for him. Without him I would either be dead or dead. I never went to rehab. I detoxed on my own. It was scary and horrid. I've been clean for 13 years now though. I don't regret my life before, but there are some things I would like to change. I have 2 suicide attempts, a drug addiction, pregnancy scares galore due to my sleeping with anyone with a pulse, and 8 friends dead in a span of 6 months. I have no idea how I survived it all, but I did and I'm here. I FELT Hunter. Shit, I WAS Hunter.
Now, onto Riley. Riley's story was heartbreaking. Like I said before, I started crying in the Prologue. I would have liked to know the why's and how's, but I got enough. Riley hated life. He got the shitty end of the stick and it showed. He was so angry and rightfully so. His hopelessness was palpable.
The remember the exact moment I fell in love with Riley and Hunter.
These two were locked in away and obviously couldn't have an open relationship, but they found ways. The forbidden wing, the subtle knuckle touches, and the brushes of the shoulders. It all showed they were there and they cared.
I loved Bubba and eventually Jerry. I loved Riley's outbursts. I loved Riley yelling at the orderlies. I think it may have been one of the hardest times I cried. When I say I cried forever, I'm not kidding. I went through an entire box of tissues and opened another one. My husband walked in to tell me he was leaving and he looked at me and said "can you even see?" I shook my head no and continued to cry.
"Fuck you. Stop treating him like he was a nobody. That's what's wrong with this place." Riley stabbed his finger in the air. "None of you really care. He's just another nutcase Well, fuck y'all. Hartfield can't have me."
This book was real. This story pulled at my heartstrings. This book killed me.
Now Chad's book. Perhaps with
January 12, 2015
My Review:
Wow. I stayed up WAY too late last night reading this book and am still blown away by it this morning. HUGE KUDOS to the authors on this one...taking two tortured, wounded souls like Riley and Hunter and letting them find love in a mental institution of all places. The unlikelihood of this story line working was HUGE, but they did it...and it's a gorgeous, heart-breaking, beautiful story that had me both sobbing and laughing out loud. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Now, why you should go pick it up and fall in love, too...
This book is about two men who are flat-out broken. Riley has been in the institution (this time) for 19 months after trying to kill himself. Riley's backstory broke and shredded my heart. He was kidnapped at the age of 6, tortured and beaten for 4 years, before he was found. But then he was so messed up, his mom and dad abandoned him to the government system. Can you imagine what that does to a person? Even thinking about it now, I get weepy for him. He did nothing wrong and is coping the only way he knows how.
New in the institution is Hunter. He's an alcoholic who's bender the day of his mother's funeral went too far. He drank entirely too much and then had a field day taking whatever he could find out of his mother's medicine cabinet. But his problems, too, go much, much deeper than just that.
These are two men that are broken. They both have lost so much, but they've lost the ability to care for themselves too. This is not a light-hearted book. There are moments of pain and desolation that just about killed me to read them. But there's hope, too. There were scenes in the book that made me cry happy tears too for just how beautiful they were...the imaginary dates to New Orleans.
Then there's also the amazing cast of characters in the story...Bubba kept me laughing until I started sobbing. I wasn't sure I was going to make it through his sections of the story. Jerry and how he wants these guys to make it mentally. You can tell that he sees they can heal, even when they don't believe it. Riley's doctor...wow, I did not expect to be so blown away by him/her (?) at the end.
There are so many powerful messages to this story and I applaud the authors for their bravery in tackling this kind of truly tough subject matter. I fell in love with these two heroes and think you will too. Buy this one...you won't regret it. It's beautiful!
Wow. I stayed up WAY too late last night reading this book and am still blown away by it this morning. HUGE KUDOS to the authors on this one...taking two tortured, wounded souls like Riley and Hunter and letting them find love in a mental institution of all places. The unlikelihood of this story line working was HUGE, but they did it...and it's a gorgeous, heart-breaking, beautiful story that had me both sobbing and laughing out loud. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Now, why you should go pick it up and fall in love, too...
This book is about two men who are flat-out broken. Riley has been in the institution (this time) for 19 months after trying to kill himself. Riley's backstory broke and shredded my heart. He was kidnapped at the age of 6, tortured and beaten for 4 years, before he was found. But then he was so messed up, his mom and dad abandoned him to the government system. Can you imagine what that does to a person? Even thinking about it now, I get weepy for him. He did nothing wrong and is coping the only way he knows how.
New in the institution is Hunter. He's an alcoholic who's bender the day of his mother's funeral went too far. He drank entirely too much and then had a field day taking whatever he could find out of his mother's medicine cabinet. But his problems, too, go much, much deeper than just that.
These are two men that are broken. They both have lost so much, but they've lost the ability to care for themselves too. This is not a light-hearted book. There are moments of pain and desolation that just about killed me to read them. But there's hope, too. There were scenes in the book that made me cry happy tears too for just how beautiful they were...the imaginary dates to New Orleans.
Then there's also the amazing cast of characters in the story...Bubba kept me laughing until I started sobbing. I wasn't sure I was going to make it through his sections of the story. Jerry and how he wants these guys to make it mentally. You can tell that he sees they can heal, even when they don't believe it. Riley's doctor...wow, I did not expect to be so blown away by him/her (?) at the end.
There are so many powerful messages to this story and I applaud the authors for their bravery in tackling this kind of truly tough subject matter. I fell in love with these two heroes and think you will too. Buy this one...you won't regret it. It's beautiful!
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