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Backbone
Backbone by Kayleigh Sky
About Kayleigh Sky
Struggling to survive in a deadly new world, Brey Jamieson soon discovers that the man who holds his heart might not be willing to set it free.
A universal vaccine eradicates all known viruses from the human population, but in the wake of this miracle, a deadly new virus suddenly surfaces. As the death toll rises, people riot in panic and civilization collapses.
Brey Jamieson, a convicted felon, is suddenly set loose in this violent new world. Desperate to reunite with his family, he sets out on a journey across the country but is captured by a brutal man who plans to sell him into slavery.
Hank Kresnak is a cop in the new world. It is his job to preserve the law. But when he sees Brey, his belief in everything he has built his new life on begins to crumble. Memories of a dark and terrible time reawaken. He was the cop who arrested Brey, and with one look into Brey’s eyes, he knew his life would never be the same. He was a married man with two daughters, but he couldn’t forget a man he barely even knew. Now his wife and daughters are gone, and he must struggle to save the man of his dreams from a nightmare fate.
About Kayleigh Sky
Kayleigh Sky is a writer of M/M erotica romance. Kayleigh’s stories are tales of struggle and pain, loss and despair. Love is won in the battle to rise out of the depths of darkness. Victory is in the sweet bliss of happily ever after.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
9 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Kayleigh Sky
23 books121 followersKayeigh Sky is a m/m erotic romance writer.
Kayleigh’s stories are tales of struggle and pain, loss and despair. Love is won in the battle to rise out of the depths of darkness. Victory is in the sweet bliss of happily ever after.
Once upon a time Kayleigh hid out in a cold dark garage reading a book her parents forbid her to read. She was nine years old. The book? Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, a story of love between two men–well, actually the story was a little more complicated than that, but hey, she was nine.
In the dark of the garage, a light, a passion, a sheer joy for love in all its manifestations awoke.
And love between two men–Hot!
Kayleigh’s men are often broken, always brave, and always memorable.
Kayleigh’s stories are tales of struggle and pain, loss and despair. Love is won in the battle to rise out of the depths of darkness. Victory is in the sweet bliss of happily ever after.
Once upon a time Kayleigh hid out in a cold dark garage reading a book her parents forbid her to read. She was nine years old. The book? Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, a story of love between two men–well, actually the story was a little more complicated than that, but hey, she was nine.
In the dark of the garage, a light, a passion, a sheer joy for love in all its manifestations awoke.
And love between two men–Hot!
Kayleigh’s men are often broken, always brave, and always memorable.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 30, 2015
Good. Obvs it's dystopian so not for the fluff reader or the faint of heart.
I like heavy reading, love angst, but I think this was a bit more grim and bleak than I expected. Perhaps more of the good times in an epilogue would hav satisfied the romance reader in me. But it was def an HEA, even if a bit abrupt. Good read, but glad to be out of the whole world. Recommended for people who enjoy this kinda of book tho. Writing was solid and I was gripped.
I like heavy reading, love angst, but I think this was a bit more grim and bleak than I expected. Perhaps more of the good times in an epilogue would hav satisfied the romance reader in me. But it was def an HEA, even if a bit abrupt. Good read, but glad to be out of the whole world. Recommended for people who enjoy this kinda of book tho. Writing was solid and I was gripped.
October 8, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Author Kayleigh Sky creates a barren, dystopian world that has been ravaged by a deadly pandemic in her new novel, On the Eve of Forever. With gripping detail and a cast of both good and evil reminiscent of Stephen King’s The Stand, the town of Waterfall sits by the reservoir that feeds the canal that keeps life moving. They conserve and live as best as they can, but that doesn’t mean all is right in this small wayside town. People who are unfortunate enough to have done wrong in the past are now owned and collared, kept much like slaves and used for work that others don’t want, or worse, as bodies to be used by anyone who cares to have a go. Brey is taken and used as such until Hank finds him and rescues him, only to collar him. It’s for Brey’s protection; after all, Hank would never use Brey like that, even if the underlying current of lust sometimes rears its ugly head between the two of them. Hank would never give into that, but Brey sometimes wishes the man would.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Author Kayleigh Sky creates a barren, dystopian world that has been ravaged by a deadly pandemic in her new novel, On the Eve of Forever. With gripping detail and a cast of both good and evil reminiscent of Stephen King’s The Stand, the town of Waterfall sits by the reservoir that feeds the canal that keeps life moving. They conserve and live as best as they can, but that doesn’t mean all is right in this small wayside town. People who are unfortunate enough to have done wrong in the past are now owned and collared, kept much like slaves and used for work that others don’t want, or worse, as bodies to be used by anyone who cares to have a go. Brey is taken and used as such until Hank finds him and rescues him, only to collar him. It’s for Brey’s protection; after all, Hank would never use Brey like that, even if the underlying current of lust sometimes rears its ugly head between the two of them. Hank would never give into that, but Brey sometimes wishes the man would.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
October 6, 2020
This is an interesting, slow-burn MM dystopian romance with some emotional heart-wrenching moments & I found the plot to be quite well-written & intriguing, making sure that the reader’s attention is firmly kept. The two main characters (Aubrey Jamieson aka Brey, a convict & Henry Krasnek aka Hank, the law official that put him in jail) go through a lot of trials & tribulations while continuing to develop throughout the story-line to become an emotional strong couple who love each other.
It is about: after a global viral apocalypse (Eve) killed millions of people, a young male prisoner (Brey) is set free by the prison guards but is later captured & used as a “Retainee” (slave) to be bought & used then a police officer (Hank) notices him & promptly buys him from a really despicable man (Thom). Hank then takes Brey to a small town (Waterfall) where he tries to the best of his ability to make Brey comfortable & content in this town but Brey just wants to leaves & find his family.
There is: friendship, comradery, drama, suspense, secrets, mystery, intrigue, implied sexual assault scenes (but not detailed), disinterest, collared, regrets, devastating memories, strange attractions, doubts, guilt, advice, nightmares, unhappiness, unease, deceit, betrayal, threats, danger, enemies, devious plans, attacks, explosions, decisions, determination, discovery, happiness, contentment, some steam & a well-deserved satisfying conclusion.
It is about: after a global viral apocalypse (Eve) killed millions of people, a young male prisoner (Brey) is set free by the prison guards but is later captured & used as a “Retainee” (slave) to be bought & used then a police officer (Hank) notices him & promptly buys him from a really despicable man (Thom). Hank then takes Brey to a small town (Waterfall) where he tries to the best of his ability to make Brey comfortable & content in this town but Brey just wants to leaves & find his family.
There is: friendship, comradery, drama, suspense, secrets, mystery, intrigue, implied sexual assault scenes (but not detailed), disinterest, collared, regrets, devastating memories, strange attractions, doubts, guilt, advice, nightmares, unhappiness, unease, deceit, betrayal, threats, danger, enemies, devious plans, attacks, explosions, decisions, determination, discovery, happiness, contentment, some steam & a well-deserved satisfying conclusion.
November 9, 2015
4 Heart Review by Cindy
Hank is a black and white man stuck in a new world that is covered in shades of grey. Before the world went to hell, he was a cop and had definite ideas about right and wrong, but now he’s a cop who has to turn his back on so many things that he wants to fix. Then he see’s Brey, a torment from before the end of the world and he can’t stop himself from stepping in.
Brey is a man who finds himself in the worst circumstances possible in this terrifying new world. Captured and turned into a slave, he’s abused in the worst possible way before being rescued by Hank.
This is not an easy read. There’s not a whole lot of light and laughter in this story, but if you want to be pulled along for a heartbreaking ride with a hopeful ending, then this is your story. It’s harsh and scary and so very sad, but somehow, it leaves you feeling okay when it’s all over.
Hank is a man tormented by his feelings because even though he can’t help himself, he feels like his obsession with Brey, both before the apocalypse and after, is something he shouldn’t be wanting.
Before the end of the world, Brey ended up in jail for manslaughter and Hank was one of his arresting officers. They never really spoke to each other, but Brey is just as taken with Hank, especially after Hank rescues him.
This story has excellent characters who are well-developed and you can’t help but be fascinated with what’s going to happen to them. The story sweeps you along, almost pulling you along against your will and while how it ends isn’t really a surprise, the journey you take as a reader to get there is totally the best part.
If you get triggery over things like rape and torture, be warned. A lot of people in this book are not nice people and Brey suffers at their hands. The world they live in is scary and hard but it only makes surviving and thriving all the bigger accomplishment.
A compelling read with excellent writing and superior editing (trust me, it’s important).
I’ve not read something from this author before but I will be looking at her other books in the future.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Hank is a black and white man stuck in a new world that is covered in shades of grey. Before the world went to hell, he was a cop and had definite ideas about right and wrong, but now he’s a cop who has to turn his back on so many things that he wants to fix. Then he see’s Brey, a torment from before the end of the world and he can’t stop himself from stepping in.
Brey is a man who finds himself in the worst circumstances possible in this terrifying new world. Captured and turned into a slave, he’s abused in the worst possible way before being rescued by Hank.
This is not an easy read. There’s not a whole lot of light and laughter in this story, but if you want to be pulled along for a heartbreaking ride with a hopeful ending, then this is your story. It’s harsh and scary and so very sad, but somehow, it leaves you feeling okay when it’s all over.
Hank is a man tormented by his feelings because even though he can’t help himself, he feels like his obsession with Brey, both before the apocalypse and after, is something he shouldn’t be wanting.
Before the end of the world, Brey ended up in jail for manslaughter and Hank was one of his arresting officers. They never really spoke to each other, but Brey is just as taken with Hank, especially after Hank rescues him.
This story has excellent characters who are well-developed and you can’t help but be fascinated with what’s going to happen to them. The story sweeps you along, almost pulling you along against your will and while how it ends isn’t really a surprise, the journey you take as a reader to get there is totally the best part.
If you get triggery over things like rape and torture, be warned. A lot of people in this book are not nice people and Brey suffers at their hands. The world they live in is scary and hard but it only makes surviving and thriving all the bigger accomplishment.
A compelling read with excellent writing and superior editing (trust me, it’s important).
I’ve not read something from this author before but I will be looking at her other books in the future.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
November 3, 2020
“On The Eve of Forever” was a definite page-turner and I found it hard to put down!
Aubrey “Brey” Jamison’s life was one of freedom and wealth. On one particular night of careless clubbing Brey finds himself the focus of a tragic accident and is sentenced to fifteen to twenty-five years in prison. Now, all Brey has left is his father, Attorney General Jamieson, who vows to save his son. Brey hasn’t even come close to completing his sentence. As it is now only three years have been served. EVE, a new and fatal influenza has taken over the world and everything is at a standstill. All prisons are non-functional and prisoners are released into the horror of a crazy world.
All Brey wants to do is find his father but he finds himself at the hands of dangerous men in the town of Younger. Brey is now known as a retainee and is close to death.
Henry “Hank” Krasnik has always been a cop. He now keeps the peace in Waterfall and tries to find some kind of peace with Younger. He doesn’t like what goes on in Younger, especially with the retainees. Hank has a plan that he’s secretly working on and it could very well save everyone. When he comes across Brey, he know’s who Brey is and helps him the best way he knows how and that is to buy and collar Brey. Hank also hates conflict and Brey’s situation brings more than conflicts into his life.
As time goes on Brey slowly tries to adjust to Waterfall and finds a comfort in working in the Library with Issa and exploring the deserted homes. He draws and photographs many of the homes and brings what he’s discovered too Issa for her museum collection. Even as Brey makes friends and grows closer to Hank, he still has one major goal, he believes his family is still out there and he’s determined to find them no matter what.
Kayleigh Sky creates a suspenseful, intense, drama, filled with mystery and secrets and a surprise ending. I found the distinctive descriptions of the deserted houses and the things Brey saw to be eerie.
Hank and Brey were two very conflicted characters, with their own types of hurts and psychological situations that they suffered through. Gradually they both come together and a bond start’s to form. For me, I really liked the connection Brey builds for himself with: Issa and Jack. They are two characters that really give Brey support. Jack and Hank have a friendship that seems to last forever.
Totally entertaining novel!
Aubrey “Brey” Jamison’s life was one of freedom and wealth. On one particular night of careless clubbing Brey finds himself the focus of a tragic accident and is sentenced to fifteen to twenty-five years in prison. Now, all Brey has left is his father, Attorney General Jamieson, who vows to save his son. Brey hasn’t even come close to completing his sentence. As it is now only three years have been served. EVE, a new and fatal influenza has taken over the world and everything is at a standstill. All prisons are non-functional and prisoners are released into the horror of a crazy world.
All Brey wants to do is find his father but he finds himself at the hands of dangerous men in the town of Younger. Brey is now known as a retainee and is close to death.
Henry “Hank” Krasnik has always been a cop. He now keeps the peace in Waterfall and tries to find some kind of peace with Younger. He doesn’t like what goes on in Younger, especially with the retainees. Hank has a plan that he’s secretly working on and it could very well save everyone. When he comes across Brey, he know’s who Brey is and helps him the best way he knows how and that is to buy and collar Brey. Hank also hates conflict and Brey’s situation brings more than conflicts into his life.
As time goes on Brey slowly tries to adjust to Waterfall and finds a comfort in working in the Library with Issa and exploring the deserted homes. He draws and photographs many of the homes and brings what he’s discovered too Issa for her museum collection. Even as Brey makes friends and grows closer to Hank, he still has one major goal, he believes his family is still out there and he’s determined to find them no matter what.
Kayleigh Sky creates a suspenseful, intense, drama, filled with mystery and secrets and a surprise ending. I found the distinctive descriptions of the deserted houses and the things Brey saw to be eerie.
Hank and Brey were two very conflicted characters, with their own types of hurts and psychological situations that they suffered through. Gradually they both come together and a bond start’s to form. For me, I really liked the connection Brey builds for himself with: Issa and Jack. They are two characters that really give Brey support. Jack and Hank have a friendship that seems to last forever.
Totally entertaining novel!
October 10, 2020
This is a very well written slow burn romance happening in a dystopian world where all the rules are changed after the deadly virus has wiped out most of the population. The rules has definitely changed for Brey. He used to be a selfish party boy with everything handed to him on a silver platter with no goals in life, no consideration for others feelings. Maybe because he felt empty inside, without even knowing it and for no obvious reason - just chasing another thrill. His attitude backfired and he made a fatal mistake. Now he's not much more than a slave that can be sold, killed or worse. I must admit that I had real trouble liking him, despite the horrible experiences he suffered through. His story is revealed through flashbacks, as well as Hanks'. They briefly met before and the instant attraction from years before is still there, but can it become something more? Brey is slowly getting back on his feet with a quiet and steady support from Hank and and some other good people Hank has surrounded himself with, and now he has a goal - to find his family.
I loved the writing and the world the author created, I just wish there was more on page interaction and dialogs between different characters that appear in this book.
This is a first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last, because I had a hard time to put this one down.
I loved the writing and the world the author created, I just wish there was more on page interaction and dialogs between different characters that appear in this book.
This is a first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last, because I had a hard time to put this one down.
October 6, 2020
This is an emotionally intense/draining near-future slow-burn romance with a lot of not-quite-touched-on morality questions (hence the 4 stars - would have liked to see more on those). It wasn't easy, but it was worth it; I kept reading because this author can write.
As a heads-up, heed the description. I did, but I really wasn’t quite as prepared as I thought. Selling people so a town can survive is DARK, and people who agree to that are as well.
The character development is detailed (love that), done through the current story and flashbacks (not a fan). The slow-burn is great when it comes to the MCs, but I would have liked more world-building within the plot, as I found it too hard to understand Hank at first. The man makes some seriously questionable decisions regarding Brey, considering how much he *knows* this town, where they’d rather have a coffee shop of sorts than stand up for basic human rights. Brey himself was just meh for me for nearly half the book, but their story sucked me in in spite of myself. There is an HEA for the MCs; I don’t know if my heart would have survived otherwise.
Copy received for honest review.
As a heads-up, heed the description. I did, but I really wasn’t quite as prepared as I thought. Selling people so a town can survive is DARK, and people who agree to that are as well.
The character development is detailed (love that), done through the current story and flashbacks (not a fan). The slow-burn is great when it comes to the MCs, but I would have liked more world-building within the plot, as I found it too hard to understand Hank at first. The man makes some seriously questionable decisions regarding Brey, considering how much he *knows* this town, where they’d rather have a coffee shop of sorts than stand up for basic human rights. Brey himself was just meh for me for nearly half the book, but their story sucked me in in spite of myself. There is an HEA for the MCs; I don’t know if my heart would have survived otherwise.
Copy received for honest review.
August 23, 2021
The plague this time is called Eve, because it's worse for women than men. Civilization, law and order, and too often human decency and love collapse. But not everywhere. Brey is in prison and the guards let them all out as the virus runs rampant--4 billion dead? Brey, a pretty boy, promises he will find his family. But he is caught and tortured and raped and sold.
Brey winds up in "Waterfall, a small city that made it through the apocalypse, survives on the sale of human beings." There he meets Hank (the other protagonist) who remembers Brey as "the rich kid he once arrested for murder. Now the guy’s up for sale. Hank’s plans go south in a hurry. On the spot to make a quick decision, he buys him.What else can he do?…" (Amazon summary).
So begins what becomes a love affair. This is a story of redemption, human love and decency, and cruelty, and survival. After the world ends, you have to make another.
A fun read, yes, even set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia, rich in detail, and often intense.
Book 100 for 2020.
Brey winds up in "Waterfall, a small city that made it through the apocalypse, survives on the sale of human beings." There he meets Hank (the other protagonist) who remembers Brey as "the rich kid he once arrested for murder. Now the guy’s up for sale. Hank’s plans go south in a hurry. On the spot to make a quick decision, he buys him.What else can he do?…" (Amazon summary).
So begins what becomes a love affair. This is a story of redemption, human love and decency, and cruelty, and survival. After the world ends, you have to make another.
A fun read, yes, even set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia, rich in detail, and often intense.
Book 100 for 2020.
October 7, 2020
RETAINEE- a person bought or sold, no rights, no freedom, no safety.
EVE- a virus that killed six billion, not picky with who it killed but a lot of women died.
Brey, a convict, released when the virus hit. Running to get to his family he’s captured and chained. A retainee, used over and over, he’s rescued by Hank, the cop that put him in jail.
The wolf pack mentality (though there are no wolves) comes to the fore in this book. Protect your own, do what ever necessary to keep your pack viable, get rid of the lesser members or make them slaves. Diminished resources, the need for a labor force to work to keep communities viable.
This was an interesting book. Brey’s story was sad with only occasional bright spots. His privileged life reduced to a collar around his neck. A slow burn, the love story between him and Hank was very emotional and impactful to the whole group of people, good and bad.
I received an arc of this book.
EVE- a virus that killed six billion, not picky with who it killed but a lot of women died.
Brey, a convict, released when the virus hit. Running to get to his family he’s captured and chained. A retainee, used over and over, he’s rescued by Hank, the cop that put him in jail.
The wolf pack mentality (though there are no wolves) comes to the fore in this book. Protect your own, do what ever necessary to keep your pack viable, get rid of the lesser members or make them slaves. Diminished resources, the need for a labor force to work to keep communities viable.
This was an interesting book. Brey’s story was sad with only occasional bright spots. His privileged life reduced to a collar around his neck. A slow burn, the love story between him and Hank was very emotional and impactful to the whole group of people, good and bad.
I received an arc of this book.
October 10, 2020
This is a well-written, very intense and emotional story with a slow-burn M/M romance. The world has suffered from a global pandemic and most of the population has been wiped out. The survivors resort to whatever means necessary to survive, including buying, selling, and using human beings. It's a dark survival-of-the-fittest kind of mentality. Into this dystopian nightmare are thrown Brey, a former spoiled rich kid who ended up in prison, was then freed during the pandemic and is now a *retainee* or basically a slave, and Hank, a cop who buys him. Hank does his best by Brey, but Brey just wants to find his family. There is drama, some really tough times, and two men slowly coming to love. It's a stark picture of what people will resort to when the world falls apart, and suddenly you are faced with doing the unthinkable to survive. I found the story compelling and really hard to put down.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
October 10, 2020
Ok, but I don’t know that it was realistic
I think that I liked this book. It is definitely a stand-alone, and has no prospect for any kind of continued story. But I suppose that the one thing that I wasn’t too sure about is that there is no talk about the need to repair, or maintain a technology in Waterfall that also doesn’t seem to be understood by its residents. What happens when the turbines have a fault? Or when the computers running the systems wear down? There doesn’t seem to be any hope for these people, long term, and they don’t have plans to seek out further education or knowledge to keep things going.
I think that I liked this book. It is definitely a stand-alone, and has no prospect for any kind of continued story. But I suppose that the one thing that I wasn’t too sure about is that there is no talk about the need to repair, or maintain a technology in Waterfall that also doesn’t seem to be understood by its residents. What happens when the turbines have a fault? Or when the computers running the systems wear down? There doesn’t seem to be any hope for these people, long term, and they don’t have plans to seek out further education or knowledge to keep things going.
October 8, 2020
I love stories that feature a dystopian world/society. I especially love apocalypse story lines. The story was unique, likeable, and well written. Brey was once wealthy but has made mistakes and he ended up on the wrong side of the law. When a viral apocalypse hits, he’s released. As he tries to make his way home, he’ caught, bought and sold. He ends up with Hank, the cop who arrested him. I loved the development of Brey and Hank. I loved the slow burn. I was gifted an advanced copy; this is my honest and voluntary review.
October 9, 2020
I was a little confused for the first few chapters: I felt like I had stumbled into the middle of the book and it took me a bit to figure out the timeline. The author just jumped into using the word "retainees" like we were supposed to know what they are, and I did find it a little unrealistic that humans were keeping and using other humans basically as slaves and others were okay with it.
This is definitely a slow moving mm romance, but when they do get to the actual romance part, it's quick and steamy. I'm just glad that they got their HEA.
This is definitely a slow moving mm romance, but when they do get to the actual romance part, it's quick and steamy. I'm just glad that they got their HEA.
October 9, 2020
A very emotional story. Set on an apocalyptic time after a deadly virus attacks the earth and kills billions. Brey was a convict and Hank the one that put him there. The world building is good, there’s good writing and interesting developments. Society changes so much and the retainees are another kind of slaves. Brey suffers before he is bought by no other than Hank. Their romance is a slow burning one with so much going on but they do get their hea.
October 11, 2020
I love post apocalyptic stories so this MM love story that happens in a dystopian world after a big pandemic virus was a must. As a huge fan of the author I already knew how carefully and complete she created every single character and even if some parts were difficult to read and could be triggers for some people, witnessing how Hank and Brey found love it is really worth all the angst. Wonderful!
August 13, 2015
It was agonizing.
The book was beautiful, the ideas maybe not-so-fresh, the writing very good. Yet it was hard to read. It was claustrophobic. The Plague of Albert Camus had the same impact on me.
3,5 stars rounded down
The book was beautiful, the ideas maybe not-so-fresh, the writing very good. Yet it was hard to read. It was claustrophobic. The Plague of Albert Camus had the same impact on me.
3,5 stars rounded down
October 27, 2020
When I first picked up this book, I was confused. Once I got into it, though, I couldn't put it down. I think MC was brave and I was encouraged by his resilience. He had a hard time and hope kept him alive, kept him going. I thought this was a well-done post-apocalyptic story.
January 1, 2021
I could not put it down
This was an excellent book and I could not put it down. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I will be reading more.
This was an excellent book and I could not put it down. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I will be reading more.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews