Scars & Honey: A Healing Hurt/Comfort Romance

by Jo Morgan Sloan

Sometimes healing feels worse than death.

Ky's traumas made him who he is. He lost his family as a child. Injuries disabled him. When a brutal assault nearly ended him, Ky found a soulmate in his rescuer. He doesn’t challenge his limitations. They are accepted, immovable facts.

When a DNA test leads Ky to the twin he thought was long dead, the reunion shatters his beliefs of what’s truly permanent. Hope picks at the scars on his psyche and skin.

But some wounds are deeper than he cares to show.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2026

About the author

Jo Morgan Sloan is an audiologist, an artist, and a novelist in Northern California. Their debut novel was a second-chance transgender romance released by Midnight Meadows Publishing in December 2024. They published a second unrelated novel, Stableshoes, with SloanScript in August 2025. Their literary fiction drama, Scars & Honey, is many years in the making and will be released June 3rd 2026. Jo’s essay work can also be found in online periodicals Drunk Monkeys, HerStry, and the Four Palaces Publishing anthology, "When Home Hurts".

Reviews

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed me.

Ky and Max's journey through grief, abandonment, loss, healing, and self-discovery is one of the most powerful and emotionally honest stories I've ever read.

The representation in this book was also incredible. Every character felt like a whole person. Their struggles, relationships, and victories were handled with so much care and authenticity.

I don’t even know how to explain what it felt like to read this. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it surprised me. The characters felt so real, their trauma and growth broke my heart again and again.

I will never forget this book.

Thank you to the author for providing this ebook as an advanced publication copy.

[Mars Rads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

I am very particular about my queer romance/ MM books. Of course I love a happy ending. I want love to win. But I yearn for the drama and trauma. I love an emotional rollercoaster. I want to feel and have all of the emotions. That’s what I found in this book. From the very beginning, I found myself holding my breath as I read. The characters had amazing depth and the struggle that they all go through is something that grips you. It really is hard to describe this book in a few words. It is not a simple romance. There are two stories going on that end up combining into one that is so much more than a simple romance. There is LGBT rep, disability rep, and a healing journey for brothers broken in so many ways. There were times when I felt my heart ripping from my chest only to be put back in. The story that this author wrote showed passion and pain. It showed love in multiple forms. This was the kind of book I yearn for, but wouldn’t be able to read all of the time.

I really enjoyed the fact that this story was told in four separate POVs. We really got to feel the intensity of everything the characters were experiencing. We first meet Amund and Ky during a very intense scene that brings them together. The connection that the two have from that first moment is so strong. The learn to deal with everything that they have been through and everything they will go through. I loved Amund and how he was so protective of Ky. Max and Rigs are so different yet the similar in that they are helping each other heal. Max can be a bit to love, but honestly, I loved Rigs. She balances Max and makes me love this couple just as much.

This was the first book I have read from this author and if all of them are written with as much emotion and power as this one, I will definitely be going to read more. These characters were strong and detailed. They pull you into the story and you hang there until the very end because you want to see how it will all play out. I would absolutely recommend this to others that want to read something that will fit you right in the feels and have you yearning for these couples to give you more and more.

[Adrien Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that took me longer to get through because I wanted to spend more time with the characters, so I took my time reading it. The book takes a bit to really let you get to know all of the characters before intertwining Ky and Max's stories. This keeps you reading the book because even if you know that Max and Ky are going to meet each other, you still want to know how things will unfold, and if they'll heal along their journeys.

The story is told in first person through four different points of view, so you get a full picture of each character that you meet. While the story centers around Ky, I really enjoyed getting to know Amund and how he told the story about his relationship with Ky. It took a while for me to really like Max as a character because he felt flat until you get to know more about him and the things that haunt him.

It was fascinating to learn more about the brothers and their relationship with each other, especially given that they both thought the other was dead. It was also interesting to see how each of the characters' pasts impacts their current lives. It was great to see how they overcame various challenges and the methods that they used to work past things.

Scars and Honey is the perfect book to pick up all throughout the year, but even more so during Pride Month. There is so much to love about this book, and the story is heartwarming even through the challenges that each character faces.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard read, but beautifully nonetheless. It isn’t how two people fall in love and everyone is happy ever after, is two people loving each other through it all, it’s about two men trying their best to overcome their struggles, to not allow their past to taint their future, but they still honor it and understand that it affected them, changed them, and made them who they are, but doesn’t have to hold them back forever. This book is about how your scars can be beautiful reminders of what you’ve been able to overcome. Their meeting isn’t perfect, it’s brutal, and graphic, but necessary. I liked how the author doesn’t hide the hard parts, but doesn’t dwell on them either, they’re simply part of the story, necessary evils so to speak, and help you understand these two fantastic characters a bit better. I love how they each work on themselves not because they want to be better for the other, but because the other makes them want to be better for themselves, if that makes sense. They improve on their own, being they choose to, and because they’re supported and loved as they are, and that is beautiful.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nemo Adorkable · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost- this book is beautifully written. I don’t think I could possibly describe how much love and care obviously went into this book, the characters, and the story itself. The way that Jo Morgan Sloan writes is so incredibly moving, and there were times when this book brought me to tears.

Scars & Honey isn’t just a story about struggle- it takes readers on a journey of healing for these characters. The characters are REAL, relatable, and well thought out. The plot was engaging as well- it kept me turning pages even after I said I would put it down for the night.

I have to say, this debut blew me away. If you’ve been looking for an amazing queer romance, with Scars & Honey you’ll get that and so much more. I am so honored to have been able to read this in advance.

10/10 - Will most definitely read again.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the early ARC! Please check the trigger warnings!

An absolute heart wrenching and emotional read - the author even included tissues in her PR box (so smart and yet SO needed)

Blurb: When a DNA test reunites the lost brothers, Ky learns he wasn’t orphaned. He was abandoned.

Both main characters were absolutely perfection. I loved watching their brotherly bond grow and discover each other and themselves. I don’t want to give too much away but there is a lot of heartbreak in this one. Prepare yourself emotionally and mentally.

Please give this one a read when it releases. The author is incredible and their writing style is wonderful.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scars & honey by Jo Morgan Sloan is a moving and emotional story of 2 Mmc’s who have found each other, both have scars from the past and together with love and stead fast desire to overcome their traumas .
Her writing style elicits emotions and understanding of their past traumatic events. I couldn’t put it down . There are unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader vested to find out what will happen next. It connects the reader to the reader . We all have scars, although different than the main characters .
This is one book I would read again.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay its been a long time since a book has made me cry and joyful and so satisfied

I am so grateful for the opportunity
@jomorgansloanauthor
gave me in sending the PR box for Scars & Honey to share my thoughts of this beautifully written book.

I found myself feeling so many emotions as I literally binged this entire book tonight... I truly recommend this book so much. The emotions and story...just...no words can justify it

Thank you Jo! For the amazing opportunity and lovely story.
May you always be planted. Not just planted...but may you always bloom, beautiful.

[Heidi H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scars & Honey broke my heart and put it back together. Jo Morgan Sloan has written an absolutely stunning story with fantastic characters. Ky and Max are twins who should have grown up together. But trauma and time ripped them apart. Now, along with their partners, they must figure out how to move forward without tearing open a lifetime of scars. I loved these brothers and I loved both couples. The book was filled with many types of representation that were so incredibly well written. All the stars in the sky wouldn't be enough for me to rate this marvelous book.

[Myranda Herald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much the emotions put into and the beginning being not knowing where the sibling is to all the characters having beep meaningful emotions make sure you check your triggers for sure and if you need to take a break do it but in all this book made me cry a few times and it’s one of those that makes you wanna reread it for sure

[Brittney Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy of this book. Honestly the book was absolutely amazing. The story follows 4 characters and how they intersect with each other. It explores traumas and heavy themes while creating a love for the characters. This is a story that definitely sends you into your feels. I cried, I laughed, and I felt the love 🩷.

[Cheyenne Hygh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. This story was so beautiful. I loved Ky and Amund. I loved what they had with each other even in the hard moments. And Max and Rigs. Those two, he needed her but struggled and she wantef to be his everything. Max and Ky coming back together was beautiful but so hard. The struggles everyone went through, but the beautiful ending made it all worth it. Loved this one.

[Courtney Artmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please check the Tw before diving in
The was so good and jammed packed with emotions for each and every character.
Several parts of this book made me wanna cry that for sure, im proud of each character fighting for them self and to be better no matter what has happened to them

[EvermoreReadsandReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book from start to finish! Its an emotional read involving trauma, healing and love, it's not just your typical drama and the author did so well writing it that you stay invested the whole way through.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a great book. Loved it.. highly recommend

[Stephen Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me want to find more by this author

[Reading_with_AAron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a debut MM romance, this was an exceptionally well done book. I am so honored to have been picked as an arc reader for this.

I loved seeing Ky develop into the man he was always meant to be, working through his trauma, pain, and overcoming his disabilities. His relationship with Amound was a beautiful thing to see, finding someone who literally just gives there entire life up to make your dreams come true and love you through all the difficult stages of healing your trauma is rare.

I really enjoyed seeing Max and Ky discover their brotherly bond.

There were definitely some twists that I couldn’t have predicted in this book and I absolutely loved it!!!! My heart broke for Amound and Rigs, I won’t say anything more no spoilers here. Please check your triggers closely before reading Scars & Honey! This book will make you cry and I 1000% recommend reading it!

[C.J. Aralore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scars and Honey by Jo Morgan Sloan is a profoundly moving novel about healing and hope. It deals with trauma and mental health in an honest and pro-therapy way while also being a story about found family and letting someone else see you. The characters feel real and that, combined with plenty of surprises, made it hard to put down.

The four POV characters' stories all connect and intertwine seamlessly. Amund, Ky, Max, and Rigs each have their own unique personalities and struggles, so there was a chance to connect with those living through experiences similar to my own and different. Every single one had emotional depth that felt completely real. Though I did notice that, while Amund may seem like a supporting character on Ky's journey, I found that I connected most with him.

The story begins with Amund rescuing Ky from an assault, so from the very beginning their relationship is tied to trauma. This sets the stage for dealing with a lot of different emotions, including grief and self worth, but that isn't all the story is. There's a lot of fun, sweet, and surprising moments too that I really enjoyed. The characters aren't just dealing with their past, but making room for a better future and I enjoyed experiencing that with them.

Amund is fiercely protective of Ky and comes across as a pragmatic planner who has his stuff together, but there's a lot more going on that's deeper than trying to respect Ky's physical boundaries. He has secrets of his own and isn't this stoic hero Ky may sometimes perceive him as.

Ky is obviously dealing with a lot, from his assault to believing his twin brother is dead, so understandably his growth process is painful, but fortunately he has Amund. His journey of finding his twin and rewriting his views of his past were compelling and I especially liked the scene where Ky and Max meet.

Max has a different set of struggles to work through and a different way of dealing with them. While I connected most with Amund, I related most to how Max dealt with trauma.

Rigs is there for Max like how Amund is there for Ky, but her proactive attitude often moves events forward. She's a fun character who added humor to the story, so she was my second favorite character.

The way the four came together to become a found family (literally "found") felt metaphorical for how they were all broken apart and mended together, their shattered pieces not fitting back as they were separated before, but into something new and whole together.

Despite not experiencing the specific tramas mentioned in the story, I still felt like I could understand what they were going through. I attribute this to the strong narrative and unique character voices in their POVs. Showing how messy the healing process is was done so authentically that I feel like anyone will get it.

For those like me who don't want to start something that's such an emotional rollercoaster like this without knowing if the ending will be a letdown, tragic, or happy, rest assured that you'll get a happy ending that will turn those sad tears into happy tears! This novel will wreck you, but it'll also mend you, because that's really what it's about: healing. And, where there's healing, there's hope.

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book it was absolutely amazing 🤩 I loved the way it was written I loved the plot and the characters and the world it was built in absolutely perfect 😍

[Mackenzee Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

scars and honey is a beautiful story that gives heartbreak and joy all in the same time it’s a phenomenal story and gripped me from the very beginning