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Souls of London #1
Scarred
Falling in love wasn’t in Damian’s life plan. All Josh wants is to be loved.
Damian has never given any thought to any kind of relationship with anyone. He wants to start medical school and keep full focus on his education. At least, that's what he used to want. Meeting Josh one rainy night changes everything.
Used and abused since he was a little kid, Josh carries more baggage than one man should have to lift. He's been betrayed by the people who should have protected him. Scarred inside and out, he's wary of trusting anyone and despairs of being loved for who he is.
Damian's carrying his own share of wounds, which Josh may understand better than anyone else. Can two scarred souls make each other whole?
Damian has never given any thought to any kind of relationship with anyone. He wants to start medical school and keep full focus on his education. At least, that's what he used to want. Meeting Josh one rainy night changes everything.
Used and abused since he was a little kid, Josh carries more baggage than one man should have to lift. He's been betrayed by the people who should have protected him. Scarred inside and out, he's wary of trusting anyone and despairs of being loved for who he is.
Damian's carrying his own share of wounds, which Josh may understand better than anyone else. Can two scarred souls make each other whole?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2012
30 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
T.T. Kove
81 books167 followersWrites queer romance, usually of the new adult, slice-of-life variety.
Find me:
www.acpress.co.uk
www.patreon.com/ttkove
Find me:
www.acpress.co.uk
www.patreon.com/ttkove
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 7, 2015
ACTUAL RATING 2.5
On his way home on a cold and rainy night, Damian notices a young man who is visibly upset. He takes the young man to his home to dry off and get some rest. While Damian is helping Josh get settled, he realizes Josh is a cutter The next day they part ways, but neither of them can forget the other. Josh shows up at Damien’s job wanting to talk to him and eventually explains everything. Josh was abused, physical, mentally and sexually by his monster of a stepfather, who is now in jail. Not only is Josh a cutter, but he has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Damian and Josh start a fragile friendship and try to navigate the ups and downs of BPD. Josh is falling in love, but the only problem is Damian is asexual, most likely stemming from his own secret horrific past. Can two damaged, scarred souls survive everyday life, let alone a relationship?
Honestly, I had a hard time enjoying this book. It took me several days to get through it, which is very unusual for me. I felt like it was angst, on top of angst, with a side of angst. Almost every character in the story had some major issues. Way too much for one story. Please understand that this is just my opinion. I admit I usually do not read such dark books, so if you like a lot of angst, you may want to give this book a try.
I do commend the author for discussing mental illness and making the reader realize how difficult everyday life can be for someone who suffers from BPD. Although the author states that cutting is mentioned, I feel like it was a little more than mentioned in this story and if you are sensitive to some darker issues, you may want to skip over this one.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalleu in exchange for an honest review.
On his way home on a cold and rainy night, Damian notices a young man who is visibly upset. He takes the young man to his home to dry off and get some rest. While Damian is helping Josh get settled, he realizes Josh is a cutter The next day they part ways, but neither of them can forget the other. Josh shows up at Damien’s job wanting to talk to him and eventually explains everything. Josh was abused, physical, mentally and sexually by his monster of a stepfather, who is now in jail. Not only is Josh a cutter, but he has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Damian and Josh start a fragile friendship and try to navigate the ups and downs of BPD. Josh is falling in love, but the only problem is Damian is asexual, most likely stemming from his own secret horrific past. Can two damaged, scarred souls survive everyday life, let alone a relationship?
Honestly, I had a hard time enjoying this book. It took me several days to get through it, which is very unusual for me. I felt like it was angst, on top of angst, with a side of angst. Almost every character in the story had some major issues. Way too much for one story. Please understand that this is just my opinion. I admit I usually do not read such dark books, so if you like a lot of angst, you may want to give this book a try.
I do commend the author for discussing mental illness and making the reader realize how difficult everyday life can be for someone who suffers from BPD. Although the author states that cutting is mentioned, I feel like it was a little more than mentioned in this story and if you are sensitive to some darker issues, you may want to skip over this one.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalleu in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2016
2.5 stars
This book was sad, painful and depressing with just a slight ray of hope at the end. I normally like angsty books but this one wasn’t fueled by sexual lust and chemistry. This book had characters that were tormented and lived in the depths of despair. I applaud the author for this story even though it was rather heartbreaking to read. I kept reminding myself that there are people living in pain like this and I am glad someone is giving them a voice.
Damien was interesting as a character because I don’t think I have read one that described as asexual. Because of past trauma, Damien doesn’t like to be touched. He lives with a roommate Silver, who has some issues of his own but respects Damien’s idiosyncrasies. One day on his way from, he finds a young man crying in the rain and he felt such compassion that invited the young man home. Damien finds out that his name was Josh and they begin talking. Because they were both in a great deal of pain, Damien was able to connect with Josh and he became a sort of safe place for Josh.
Josh was a victim of a vicious sexual predator and he dealt his pain by cutting. What I found poignant was that Josh’s mother really tried to be supportive. She acknowledged her past mistakes and resolved to help her son in any way she could. So I felt for her as she watched her son struggle. I had a hard time with Josh myself because I don’t really understand his mental illness Borderline Personality Disorder. I did look it up on Wikipedia and read about it. But I still found it hard to continually empathize with Josh. I felt that he enjoyed wallowing in his victimhood and wasn’t really trying to heal, but in the book he explained that his brain didn’t function properly. Then I would feel guilty for wanting to him to try harder to get better. I can’t imagine how Damien is going to deal with such extreme behaviors for the long haul. I feel horrible but the addition of Josh to his life seemed like adding another distressing issue to Damien’s life. But at the same time, these were the times that Damien got to live outside his own pain and empathize and focus on someone else. That’s what I had the hardest time grappling with, that Josh can’t get cured from this.
I didn't have a problem with the writing, just the subject matter. I won’t be continuing with the series because it was just too distressing for me.
*Special thanks to Less than Three Press via Netgalley for the e-book given for a review.
This book was sad, painful and depressing with just a slight ray of hope at the end. I normally like angsty books but this one wasn’t fueled by sexual lust and chemistry. This book had characters that were tormented and lived in the depths of despair. I applaud the author for this story even though it was rather heartbreaking to read. I kept reminding myself that there are people living in pain like this and I am glad someone is giving them a voice.
Damien was interesting as a character because I don’t think I have read one that described as asexual. Because of past trauma, Damien doesn’t like to be touched. He lives with a roommate Silver, who has some issues of his own but respects Damien’s idiosyncrasies. One day on his way from, he finds a young man crying in the rain and he felt such compassion that invited the young man home. Damien finds out that his name was Josh and they begin talking. Because they were both in a great deal of pain, Damien was able to connect with Josh and he became a sort of safe place for Josh.
Josh was a victim of a vicious sexual predator and he dealt his pain by cutting. What I found poignant was that Josh’s mother really tried to be supportive. She acknowledged her past mistakes and resolved to help her son in any way she could. So I felt for her as she watched her son struggle. I had a hard time with Josh myself because I don’t really understand his mental illness Borderline Personality Disorder. I did look it up on Wikipedia and read about it. But I still found it hard to continually empathize with Josh. I felt that he enjoyed wallowing in his victimhood and wasn’t really trying to heal, but in the book he explained that his brain didn’t function properly. Then I would feel guilty for wanting to him to try harder to get better. I can’t imagine how Damien is going to deal with such extreme behaviors for the long haul. I feel horrible but the addition of Josh to his life seemed like adding another distressing issue to Damien’s life. But at the same time, these were the times that Damien got to live outside his own pain and empathize and focus on someone else. That’s what I had the hardest time grappling with, that Josh can’t get cured from this.
I didn't have a problem with the writing, just the subject matter. I won’t be continuing with the series because it was just too distressing for me.
*Special thanks to Less than Three Press via Netgalley for the e-book given for a review.
September 8, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
3.5 stars
When I read Reunited by TT Kove as part of the Kiss Me Quick collection earlier this year, I liked the story but most of my complaints were about the history of the characters and how I didn't get to know them at all. This story is that history, a prequel focused on how Damian and Josh met when they were much younger and a little more about their respective mental health issues, which is at the center of their relationship and both stories.
Damian has had some horrible trauma in his past, something he rarely tells anyone. In fact, he rarely has contact with anyone with the exception of his Aunt and Uncle and best friend and roommate Silver. He doesn't like to touch anyone, and he's asexual, without even an interest in kissing anyone else. That makes it difficult to participate in his new therapy, group, no matter how much his therapist wants him to get to know some other people his age he might be able to relate to. When he sees one of the group members on his way home one day sitting against a tree in the rain, he can't help but be drawn to him. He takes Josh home, where they get to know each other and find that their heavy issues have a way of complimenting each other and making the other feel safe.
This story worked really well for me, I think because I had read Reunited previously. I'm not sure how I would have felt if I read this first, though I definitely think this is a better and more successful story than that one, because we get more interaction with the characters and get to know them better. It would work really well if it had all been incorporated into one story.
Cutting specifically is a difficult issue to approach but it was done well here, along with all of the other serious issues presented -- suicide, sexual abuse, extreme family betrayal. It works well here because the characters are made to compliment each other. Josh, who has been sexually abused has become promiscuous while Damian's childhood trauma manifests later in life with asexuality. Their connection is shown well by the first stirrings of attraction that Damian feels for Josh and how the lack of sexual pressure on Josh when he feels indebted to Damian by bringing him home out of the rain makes Josh feel safe.
This story was a little sad for me to read because even though it ends on an optimistic note, I still knew what was coming in the future, and that made it bittersweet for me. Though, in the end of both stories there is an HEA, still knowing that this young couple had some bad times coming when they are the ones who least deserve it made me a little sad. I'm glad, though, that the story ends on a happy note rather than put us through that separation.
I'd recommend this story for those who read the previous story and would like some more information about the characters. This authors writing seems to be improving. I've liked most of what I've read by this author in the past, but I've not been crazy about it. So I'm happy to see improvement and looking forward to what TT Kove will offer readers in the future.
3.5 stars
When I read Reunited by TT Kove as part of the Kiss Me Quick collection earlier this year, I liked the story but most of my complaints were about the history of the characters and how I didn't get to know them at all. This story is that history, a prequel focused on how Damian and Josh met when they were much younger and a little more about their respective mental health issues, which is at the center of their relationship and both stories.
Damian has had some horrible trauma in his past, something he rarely tells anyone. In fact, he rarely has contact with anyone with the exception of his Aunt and Uncle and best friend and roommate Silver. He doesn't like to touch anyone, and he's asexual, without even an interest in kissing anyone else. That makes it difficult to participate in his new therapy, group, no matter how much his therapist wants him to get to know some other people his age he might be able to relate to. When he sees one of the group members on his way home one day sitting against a tree in the rain, he can't help but be drawn to him. He takes Josh home, where they get to know each other and find that their heavy issues have a way of complimenting each other and making the other feel safe.
This story worked really well for me, I think because I had read Reunited previously. I'm not sure how I would have felt if I read this first, though I definitely think this is a better and more successful story than that one, because we get more interaction with the characters and get to know them better. It would work really well if it had all been incorporated into one story.
Cutting specifically is a difficult issue to approach but it was done well here, along with all of the other serious issues presented -- suicide, sexual abuse, extreme family betrayal. It works well here because the characters are made to compliment each other. Josh, who has been sexually abused has become promiscuous while Damian's childhood trauma manifests later in life with asexuality. Their connection is shown well by the first stirrings of attraction that Damian feels for Josh and how the lack of sexual pressure on Josh when he feels indebted to Damian by bringing him home out of the rain makes Josh feel safe.
This story was a little sad for me to read because even though it ends on an optimistic note, I still knew what was coming in the future, and that made it bittersweet for me. Though, in the end of both stories there is an HEA, still knowing that this young couple had some bad times coming when they are the ones who least deserve it made me a little sad. I'm glad, though, that the story ends on a happy note rather than put us through that separation.
I'd recommend this story for those who read the previous story and would like some more information about the characters. This authors writing seems to be improving. I've liked most of what I've read by this author in the past, but I've not been crazy about it. So I'm happy to see improvement and looking forward to what TT Kove will offer readers in the future.
June 3, 2015
3.25 stars
I really like the author's writing style. This is my second book by her, and as usual the writing flows nicely. Reading this, I felt like I stepped into the middle of the story based on Damian's and Josh reaction towards each other. They meet and it's not a care in the world about getting to know each other. I really liked Damian as a character, I mean he's 18 years old, but he seems so much mature. He went through a traumatic experience as well. When it comes to his history, I think the author felled short on providing some background history. I would have like to see the way his friendship with Silver progressed form beginning to end. He's functioning and I think he's allowed to be angry 1 date out of the year because of what happened to him. I give him tremendous credit for being mentally strong enough to be in a relationship with Josh.
Josh had so many problems. I felt bad for him. Someone who was suppose to love and care for him, took advantage of him and it became this stain on his heart permanently. Sometimes I do feel like Josh used his borderline personality disorder to take advantage of Damian. He didn't quite respect Damian's reasoning on some sort. I do feel like all the times that he did harm himself and to give someone else that burden of looking after you was selfish. I get it's he's mentally unstable. I wish his mother would have pushed the issue on him getting help more efficiently. I do like the side characters that were in the story. I think I'll continue on the series.
I really like the author's writing style. This is my second book by her, and as usual the writing flows nicely. Reading this, I felt like I stepped into the middle of the story based on Damian's and Josh reaction towards each other. They meet and it's not a care in the world about getting to know each other. I really liked Damian as a character, I mean he's 18 years old, but he seems so much mature. He went through a traumatic experience as well. When it comes to his history, I think the author felled short on providing some background history. I would have like to see the way his friendship with Silver progressed form beginning to end. He's functioning and I think he's allowed to be angry 1 date out of the year because of what happened to him. I give him tremendous credit for being mentally strong enough to be in a relationship with Josh.
Josh had so many problems. I felt bad for him. Someone who was suppose to love and care for him, took advantage of him and it became this stain on his heart permanently. Sometimes I do feel like Josh used his borderline personality disorder to take advantage of Damian. He didn't quite respect Damian's reasoning on some sort. I do feel like all the times that he did harm himself and to give someone else that burden of looking after you was selfish. I get it's he's mentally unstable. I wish his mother would have pushed the issue on him getting help more efficiently. I do like the side characters that were in the story. I think I'll continue on the series.
May 24, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Carissa
No life is perfect, but Josh’s life is barely even liveable. Even after the man who raped and abused him is sent to prison, Josh can’t seem to escape the fear and loathing that that man brought into his life. When one day it all gets to be too much, Josh disappears from his home, and winds up under a tree, wet, alone, and pretty much at the end of his rope.
When Damian stumbles upon Josh, he doesn’t know what to do. But he knows that he can’t just leave the guy there, so he offers to take him home. Much to Josh’s surprise, Damian doesn’t want sexual repayment for the deed, and much to Damian surprise, he finds himself drawn to the hurt and broken man. Which is especially surprising as he is asexual and has no desire to have sex at all. He has never been drawn to anyone the way he is to Josh, but even if Josh can live a life with little to no sex in it, both men are deeply scarred by their pasts and surviving the next day, instead of the next date, is their main problem.
This book hits all kinds of buttons for me. Some I’m not going to talk about, because, well, I don’t want to, but there is plenty here that I feel a deep connection to. There is quite a bit about both Josh and Damian that I get on so many different levels. Josh because of his pain, and his past, and Damian because his disconnect from ‘normal’ life. Toss them both together and I experience a whole host of emotions from pretty much the get go.
And yeah, some of it was sadness and anger, but there was also a lot of hope. Which if you read this story might sound a bit odd. Because this book doesn’t end with a great big ‘everything is fixed and everyone lives happily ever after’ finale. The recognition that Josh is not likely to ever be ‘normal’ again, is a large part of why I like this book so much. His good days do not guarantee that his bad days never happen–the same way his bad ones don’t mean the good will never come back. The reality of his mental state is not downplayed, and I like that. Still, for all that this could have been one hell of a depressing story to read, there wasn’t a lot of that soul-sucking feeling I get when I read some of the more depressing books in my library. There is something about the connection between these two guys that gives you hope. Even if we never see that hope fully realized in this story.
But by far my favorite part of this story is the fact that Damian is asexual. It has been a very very long while since I have come across a book with someone who is asexual who is both a protagonist, and in a story that I enjoyed. Damian doesn’t want to have sex. He just doesn’t. He might be willing, in the future to do it if Josh really wants to, but he has no desire to do it, hear about it, or come upon it by accidentally walking in on his roommate (though I can fully understand the last one). The fact that Damian doesn’t get ‘fixed’ by his growing love for Josh is something I was thrilled at. Because it is not something to be fixed. It just is who he is, and despite all the reasons that are given to him, Damian is perfectly happy that way.
This was a really good book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. Especially if we get to know more about Silver and Cooper. They both have some interesting back-stories and I’d love to know more about them. This book has a few triggers, especially for suicide, cutting, and child abuse, so be careful if that is something that is going to mess you up, but other than that I really do recommend it.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
No life is perfect, but Josh’s life is barely even liveable. Even after the man who raped and abused him is sent to prison, Josh can’t seem to escape the fear and loathing that that man brought into his life. When one day it all gets to be too much, Josh disappears from his home, and winds up under a tree, wet, alone, and pretty much at the end of his rope.
When Damian stumbles upon Josh, he doesn’t know what to do. But he knows that he can’t just leave the guy there, so he offers to take him home. Much to Josh’s surprise, Damian doesn’t want sexual repayment for the deed, and much to Damian surprise, he finds himself drawn to the hurt and broken man. Which is especially surprising as he is asexual and has no desire to have sex at all. He has never been drawn to anyone the way he is to Josh, but even if Josh can live a life with little to no sex in it, both men are deeply scarred by their pasts and surviving the next day, instead of the next date, is their main problem.
This book hits all kinds of buttons for me. Some I’m not going to talk about, because, well, I don’t want to, but there is plenty here that I feel a deep connection to. There is quite a bit about both Josh and Damian that I get on so many different levels. Josh because of his pain, and his past, and Damian because his disconnect from ‘normal’ life. Toss them both together and I experience a whole host of emotions from pretty much the get go.
And yeah, some of it was sadness and anger, but there was also a lot of hope. Which if you read this story might sound a bit odd. Because this book doesn’t end with a great big ‘everything is fixed and everyone lives happily ever after’ finale. The recognition that Josh is not likely to ever be ‘normal’ again, is a large part of why I like this book so much. His good days do not guarantee that his bad days never happen–the same way his bad ones don’t mean the good will never come back. The reality of his mental state is not downplayed, and I like that. Still, for all that this could have been one hell of a depressing story to read, there wasn’t a lot of that soul-sucking feeling I get when I read some of the more depressing books in my library. There is something about the connection between these two guys that gives you hope. Even if we never see that hope fully realized in this story.
But by far my favorite part of this story is the fact that Damian is asexual. It has been a very very long while since I have come across a book with someone who is asexual who is both a protagonist, and in a story that I enjoyed. Damian doesn’t want to have sex. He just doesn’t. He might be willing, in the future to do it if Josh really wants to, but he has no desire to do it, hear about it, or come upon it by accidentally walking in on his roommate (though I can fully understand the last one). The fact that Damian doesn’t get ‘fixed’ by his growing love for Josh is something I was thrilled at. Because it is not something to be fixed. It just is who he is, and despite all the reasons that are given to him, Damian is perfectly happy that way.
This was a really good book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. Especially if we get to know more about Silver and Cooper. They both have some interesting back-stories and I’d love to know more about them. This book has a few triggers, especially for suicide, cutting, and child abuse, so be careful if that is something that is going to mess you up, but other than that I really do recommend it.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
July 25, 2016
4.5
I really enjoyed this story. Is enjoyed the word? It was a bit emotional and some parts were pretty hard to read (in the sense that they were difficult scenes, not that the writing was difficult). But yes I enjoyed the book. I thought the angst was off-set really well with some very nice moments and a lot of hope, as well as curiosity about the characters, especially Damian's past. I read somewhere (I think on Kove's blog) that maybe Josh wouldn't seem too likeable or sympathetic, but I found that I really did like him and sympathise with him, even though he could be occasionally frustrating. I also love the sense of community T.T. Kove builds up, with some really great side characters that I know we will see more of in other stories. I think I would have liked to see more of Damian's issues, but I see why the focus is on Josh so much, because his issues are much bigger and he's more self-destructive than Damian. After finishing Scarred Souls I definitely want to read more in the series.
I really enjoyed this story. Is enjoyed the word? It was a bit emotional and some parts were pretty hard to read (in the sense that they were difficult scenes, not that the writing was difficult). But yes I enjoyed the book. I thought the angst was off-set really well with some very nice moments and a lot of hope, as well as curiosity about the characters, especially Damian's past. I read somewhere (I think on Kove's blog) that maybe Josh wouldn't seem too likeable or sympathetic, but I found that I really did like him and sympathise with him, even though he could be occasionally frustrating. I also love the sense of community T.T. Kove builds up, with some really great side characters that I know we will see more of in other stories. I think I would have liked to see more of Damian's issues, but I see why the focus is on Josh so much, because his issues are much bigger and he's more self-destructive than Damian. After finishing Scarred Souls I definitely want to read more in the series.
January 17, 2013
Enjoyed this prequel to Reunited. While it was nice to get more information on Damien and Josh's history, as with Reunited, I felt this story had more to tell and could have been longer. This segment tells briefly of their beginning, but leaves much unknown leading up to the events in Reunited.
September 23, 2017
really sad hard read.
June 9, 2016
Note: Review of first two books of the series
Scarred Souls and Inked Souls might be part of the same series but they couldn’t be more different when it comes to the tone of the two tales. This isn’t a bad thing and in fact shows the strength of the author in being able to successfully depict two very different relationships.
Book one features Damian and Josh, both very damaged young men with horrific pasts. They meet when Damian sees Josh crying in the rain and invites him to sleep with him. He doesn’t actually mean sex, however, which is what Josh assumes. Sex is what everyone has always wanted or demanded from Josh so he is confused when Damian turns him down.
As it turns out Damian is asexual, someone interested in romance but not sex. Josh suffers from his own demons as a result of child abuse but Damian is exactly who he needs. Their romance is sweet in some parts and very, very emotional in others. There were times this book was difficult to read because of the heavy subject matter.
Don’t go into this one expecting a light read because it is anything but. The second book is almost the exact opposite. Silver and Kian’s relationship is extremely passionate with them having sex right away and often throughout the novel. They are men who enjoy sex and aren’t afraid to admit it.
Both Silver and Kian are introduced in Scarred Souls. Silver is Damian’s roommate and plays a part in Damian and Josh’s story. The tales happened concurrently, which is something I did not like at all.
The main conflict in Silver and Kian’s story is Kian possibly being infected with HIV by a prior lover and the concern he may have passed it onto Silver. This is a topical tale to be sure and I would’ve liked to have read the story not knowing the outcome. However, because the two stories happened at the same time, I already knew how it turned out.
I enjoyed the different ways Silver and Kian dealt with the possibility of becoming infected, with Kian freaking out and Silver remaining calm and collected.
Kian and Silver used protection when it came to anal sex, but, like most gay men, didn’t with oral sex. In fact the source of Kian’s possible infection came from an unprotected blow job. I’m not saying it’s a wise choice to not use protection with oral sex, but the chance of infection from it is much lower than with unprotected anal sex. I’m not here to give anyone a sex ed lesson but I bring this up because I felt some of the information provided was inaccurate.
At one point Kian says:
“If I’ve got it, he’s got it.”
That simply isn’t true. Even if Kian was infected when he and Silver had oral sex it doesn’t mean he passed the disease on to his boyfriend. There are so many more factors to transmission such as viral load, open sores and more.
It’s possible Kian’s statement was simply meant as hyperbole and part of his hysterical attitude toward the whole ordeal, but I would’ve liked a dissenting opinion informing Kian of the truth.
Overall I enjoyed both stories a great deal though Silver and Kian’s story was my favorite. I enjoy the author’s style and will look for future installments in the series. Though I do hope the author gets away from every person having to have a majorly traumatic event in their lives.
3.75 stars for Scarred Souls.
4.25 stars for Inked Souls.
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
Scarred Souls and Inked Souls might be part of the same series but they couldn’t be more different when it comes to the tone of the two tales. This isn’t a bad thing and in fact shows the strength of the author in being able to successfully depict two very different relationships.
Book one features Damian and Josh, both very damaged young men with horrific pasts. They meet when Damian sees Josh crying in the rain and invites him to sleep with him. He doesn’t actually mean sex, however, which is what Josh assumes. Sex is what everyone has always wanted or demanded from Josh so he is confused when Damian turns him down.
As it turns out Damian is asexual, someone interested in romance but not sex. Josh suffers from his own demons as a result of child abuse but Damian is exactly who he needs. Their romance is sweet in some parts and very, very emotional in others. There were times this book was difficult to read because of the heavy subject matter.
Don’t go into this one expecting a light read because it is anything but. The second book is almost the exact opposite. Silver and Kian’s relationship is extremely passionate with them having sex right away and often throughout the novel. They are men who enjoy sex and aren’t afraid to admit it.
Both Silver and Kian are introduced in Scarred Souls. Silver is Damian’s roommate and plays a part in Damian and Josh’s story. The tales happened concurrently, which is something I did not like at all.
The main conflict in Silver and Kian’s story is Kian possibly being infected with HIV by a prior lover and the concern he may have passed it onto Silver. This is a topical tale to be sure and I would’ve liked to have read the story not knowing the outcome. However, because the two stories happened at the same time, I already knew how it turned out.
I enjoyed the different ways Silver and Kian dealt with the possibility of becoming infected, with Kian freaking out and Silver remaining calm and collected.
Kian and Silver used protection when it came to anal sex, but, like most gay men, didn’t with oral sex. In fact the source of Kian’s possible infection came from an unprotected blow job. I’m not saying it’s a wise choice to not use protection with oral sex, but the chance of infection from it is much lower than with unprotected anal sex. I’m not here to give anyone a sex ed lesson but I bring this up because I felt some of the information provided was inaccurate.
At one point Kian says:
“If I’ve got it, he’s got it.”
That simply isn’t true. Even if Kian was infected when he and Silver had oral sex it doesn’t mean he passed the disease on to his boyfriend. There are so many more factors to transmission such as viral load, open sores and more.
It’s possible Kian’s statement was simply meant as hyperbole and part of his hysterical attitude toward the whole ordeal, but I would’ve liked a dissenting opinion informing Kian of the truth.
Overall I enjoyed both stories a great deal though Silver and Kian’s story was my favorite. I enjoy the author’s style and will look for future installments in the series. Though I do hope the author gets away from every person having to have a majorly traumatic event in their lives.
3.75 stars for Scarred Souls.
4.25 stars for Inked Souls.
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2015...
August 10, 2015
Scarred Souls is one of those rare reads where not connecting with the main characters was a good thing. Why? Because both Josh and Damian bear major scars – emotional and physical – and not connecting with them was paramount for my sanity. Not connecting with the characters did not keep me from feeling their pain, their frustration, their calm, their happiness, or their love, it just kept me from feeling them with the same intensity that they did, especially Josh. Scarred Souls is an extremely emotional read and I strongly suggest you take the warning seriously because if self-harm, suicide, or physical or sexual abuse are sensitive issues for you, do NOT read this book.
Kove tackles some very difficult subject matter in Scarred Souls and does so admirably. Much of the book seems to focus on Josh’s issues but for good reason – his scars and behaviors are the most noticeable. Although Josh’s trauma isn’t explained fully in the beginning, the author drops enough clues through Josh’s thoughts and trailing statements that it wasn’t difficult to suss out that he had been physically and sexually abused. Whether his abuse was directly responsible for his personality disorder or not, his coping mechanism is one of the more extreme and difficult to treat. Josh is a cutter and when he meets Damian he is sporting fresh wounds because it was the only way he knew how to deal with recent events. We don’t understand the significance of Damian inviting Josh back to his flat until Damian’s conversation with his roommate Silver. Where Josh’s mood swings are obvious and frequent, Damian is calm and collected for most of the book. Between Josh’s inner musings, journal entries, and conversations with others, it’s easier to figure out where he’s coming from (even when it’s not from a place of logic), but Damian being a man of few words meant that even though I knew something happened to him, I had no inkling of what it was until he actually told Josh about it. And, ummm, yeah, that was disturbing.
While both men have suffered terribly in their pasts, they fit together. It’s not an easy fit because Damian’s asexual nature exacerbates Josh’s insecurities (which are worsened by his personality disorder). Because neither have felt for anyone what they feel for each other, both young men persevere in making it work, even if it takes them a while to define what their relationship is. This is not a case of insta-love or even insta-lust, but rather a situation in which one broken soul (Damian) seems to recognize a kindred spirit (Josh) and cannot turn away from it. Because Kove does such a good job of capturing the chaotic mind of Josh, I suspect that this will prove to be a difficult read for some. Josh has a personality disorder that eschews logic, causing his reactions to be dictated by his emotions, which are unstable, and the writing reflects this perfectly. Scarred Souls is a 5-star read because of how impactful it was for me. I look forward to reading Inked Souls when it’s released because I want to see where things go for Silver and Kian and I hope for updates on Damian and Josh as well.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
Kove tackles some very difficult subject matter in Scarred Souls and does so admirably. Much of the book seems to focus on Josh’s issues but for good reason – his scars and behaviors are the most noticeable. Although Josh’s trauma isn’t explained fully in the beginning, the author drops enough clues through Josh’s thoughts and trailing statements that it wasn’t difficult to suss out that he had been physically and sexually abused. Whether his abuse was directly responsible for his personality disorder or not, his coping mechanism is one of the more extreme and difficult to treat. Josh is a cutter and when he meets Damian he is sporting fresh wounds because it was the only way he knew how to deal with recent events. We don’t understand the significance of Damian inviting Josh back to his flat until Damian’s conversation with his roommate Silver. Where Josh’s mood swings are obvious and frequent, Damian is calm and collected for most of the book. Between Josh’s inner musings, journal entries, and conversations with others, it’s easier to figure out where he’s coming from (even when it’s not from a place of logic), but Damian being a man of few words meant that even though I knew something happened to him, I had no inkling of what it was until he actually told Josh about it. And, ummm, yeah, that was disturbing.
While both men have suffered terribly in their pasts, they fit together. It’s not an easy fit because Damian’s asexual nature exacerbates Josh’s insecurities (which are worsened by his personality disorder). Because neither have felt for anyone what they feel for each other, both young men persevere in making it work, even if it takes them a while to define what their relationship is. This is not a case of insta-love or even insta-lust, but rather a situation in which one broken soul (Damian) seems to recognize a kindred spirit (Josh) and cannot turn away from it. Because Kove does such a good job of capturing the chaotic mind of Josh, I suspect that this will prove to be a difficult read for some. Josh has a personality disorder that eschews logic, causing his reactions to be dictated by his emotions, which are unstable, and the writing reflects this perfectly. Scarred Souls is a 5-star read because of how impactful it was for me. I look forward to reading Inked Souls when it’s released because I want to see where things go for Silver and Kian and I hope for updates on Damian and Josh as well.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
June 19, 2015
I so hate doing reviews like this. I much prefer to write glowing reviews about books that I really adored. I love sharing books that touched me, and sadly this book was so far off the mark I don’t even know what to say.
Scarred Souls had a few subplots that I think could have been really incredible. First, it dealt with severe mental illness and cutting. I love books that compassionately handle real world afflictions, so if I were to name something about this book that I could have loved that would be it. Second, Damian is Asexual. It’s not a secret, you pretty much find out right off the bat. He legitimately has no interest at all in having sex, which is a completely untouched topic in any book I’ve ever read. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but I was ready to be wowed by a perspective I had never read before.
The reality of the story, however, was as far from ‘wow’ as you can get. The two characters had no connection at all, I thought. There was no chemistry. I appreciate how Damian’s being Asexual was the perfect relationship for someone who had been through the trauma that Josh had, but then the emotional connection between these two character should have been off the dang charts and it just wasn’t. It was so… bland. Perhaps I’m being too hard on the story, you had these two very distinctive personality types and it was obvious that the author was trying to really stay true to the core of who each person was, but the result was one that was tepid. Tepid is never good for your reader.
In addition to that, Josh came across as extremely intellectually stunted. It wasn’t even an effect of everything he had been through. Obviously he would be behind in school, and he would struggle with anything that hit him on an emotional level, but even his journal entries felt like they were written by an 11 year old, which made the romance seem extremely uneven to read. It was so hard to understand why these two worked.
Basically, the characters did not gel.
Then, you take all this going on and add to it that every single character has some huge emotional upheaval in their life. I’m not talking ‘dad died of cancer’ story. I’m saying that each character seemed to have lived through something you’d watch on True Crime TV. It’s fiction, I get it, but the importance of those histories is lessened when everyone has one. It’s especially lessened when each character thinks to themselves that ‘so-in-so’s sordid past is worse/better than mine’.
Epic fail for this reader. Epic. Fail.
Thank you to Less Than Three Press and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See this review, and others, at Badass Book Reviews!
Scarred Souls had a few subplots that I think could have been really incredible. First, it dealt with severe mental illness and cutting. I love books that compassionately handle real world afflictions, so if I were to name something about this book that I could have loved that would be it. Second, Damian is Asexual. It’s not a secret, you pretty much find out right off the bat. He legitimately has no interest at all in having sex, which is a completely untouched topic in any book I’ve ever read. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, but I was ready to be wowed by a perspective I had never read before.
The reality of the story, however, was as far from ‘wow’ as you can get. The two characters had no connection at all, I thought. There was no chemistry. I appreciate how Damian’s being Asexual was the perfect relationship for someone who had been through the trauma that Josh had, but then the emotional connection between these two character should have been off the dang charts and it just wasn’t. It was so… bland. Perhaps I’m being too hard on the story, you had these two very distinctive personality types and it was obvious that the author was trying to really stay true to the core of who each person was, but the result was one that was tepid. Tepid is never good for your reader.
In addition to that, Josh came across as extremely intellectually stunted. It wasn’t even an effect of everything he had been through. Obviously he would be behind in school, and he would struggle with anything that hit him on an emotional level, but even his journal entries felt like they were written by an 11 year old, which made the romance seem extremely uneven to read. It was so hard to understand why these two worked.
Basically, the characters did not gel.
Then, you take all this going on and add to it that every single character has some huge emotional upheaval in their life. I’m not talking ‘dad died of cancer’ story. I’m saying that each character seemed to have lived through something you’d watch on True Crime TV. It’s fiction, I get it, but the importance of those histories is lessened when everyone has one. It’s especially lessened when each character thinks to themselves that ‘so-in-so’s sordid past is worse/better than mine’.
Epic fail for this reader. Epic. Fail.
Thank you to Less Than Three Press and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See this review, and others, at Badass Book Reviews!
September 3, 2015
Scarred Souls (Scarred Souls #1) by TT Kove
M/M learning to accept
Triggers: Suicide, self-harm, abuse, attempted murder, PTSD, severe Mental Health issues
4.5 stars
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Let me start by saying that the trigger warnings on this book are very real. There is an extensive amount of self harm in this story. This book is full of sadness, angst, trouble and in the end, a companionship that works. This is not a true love story in the sense. I am not even sure if there is a happily ever. I think that if you are not prepared for this fact, you will not enjoy the story at all.
Damien has such a traumatic past that he has developed in an atypical way. He has survived by always being aware of what time of year it is and by focusing on becoming a doctor. He is intellectual and compassionate, which is why he would make a great physician. When he sees Josh in the pouring rain and visibly upset, he can't just leave him. What develops next is, while not super realistic, very sweet.
Josh is struggling with borderline personality disorder. He is a self-harmer, depressed, has trouble with seeing life continuing on. While I admire this author's realistic and compassionate way of portraying Josh, I felt that it was so much about Josh. He was always needing saving, always needing reassurance and always the one who people were wary of.
This book lacked the typical relationship. I think that if people are looking for a romance, they need to not read this story. It was more of a close friendship, one where they shared their truths, but not one that ever really turned in to something that would be considered a romance.
Despite that, I did enjoy the story immensely and the other story lines in this book also were fun to read.
M/M learning to accept
Triggers: Suicide, self-harm, abuse, attempted murder, PTSD, severe Mental Health issues
4.5 stars
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Let me start by saying that the trigger warnings on this book are very real. There is an extensive amount of self harm in this story. This book is full of sadness, angst, trouble and in the end, a companionship that works. This is not a true love story in the sense. I am not even sure if there is a happily ever. I think that if you are not prepared for this fact, you will not enjoy the story at all.
Damien has such a traumatic past that he has developed in an atypical way. He has survived by always being aware of what time of year it is and by focusing on becoming a doctor. He is intellectual and compassionate, which is why he would make a great physician. When he sees Josh in the pouring rain and visibly upset, he can't just leave him. What develops next is, while not super realistic, very sweet.
Josh is struggling with borderline personality disorder. He is a self-harmer, depressed, has trouble with seeing life continuing on. While I admire this author's realistic and compassionate way of portraying Josh, I felt that it was so much about Josh. He was always needing saving, always needing reassurance and always the one who people were wary of.
This book lacked the typical relationship. I think that if people are looking for a romance, they need to not read this story. It was more of a close friendship, one where they shared their truths, but not one that ever really turned in to something that would be considered a romance.
Despite that, I did enjoy the story immensely and the other story lines in this book also were fun to read.
October 25, 2015
This book hurt to read...Everything that happened to Josh and Damien was so painful I could not even imagine. Let me say that this book has things in it that will be hard for some to read. I know I had a hard time reading this. Between crying and being so sad for this characters after everything they had been through.
Josh he was hurt so bad by someone close. He has a borderline personality disorder along with the depression and the cutting.
Damien who is asexual and had something horrible happen to him when he was 12. He does not how to express his feelings and really does not feel much if that makes sense.
Okay this is what I want to say about these two characters. I don't like they fit well together and this is why... Damien does not express feelings while Josh seems to me to need to hear it or that is the way he came of to me. Their two personalities together don't mesh well.
Yes Damien does try to be there for Josh and does care in his own way don't get me wrong... They both have been through so much and hurt so badly while I did feel Damien was trying to help Josh, but I also felt like Damien should get help for what he was going through and have someone there for him too and honestly I did not feel like Josh is in a place where he can do that.
I liked the authors writing and the book was good while extremely hard to read. I just did not feel it with these two MC's together.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
Josh he was hurt so bad by someone close. He has a borderline personality disorder along with the depression and the cutting.
Damien who is asexual and had something horrible happen to him when he was 12. He does not how to express his feelings and really does not feel much if that makes sense.
Okay this is what I want to say about these two characters. I don't like they fit well together and this is why... Damien does not express feelings while Josh seems to me to need to hear it or that is the way he came of to me. Their two personalities together don't mesh well.
Yes Damien does try to be there for Josh and does care in his own way don't get me wrong... They both have been through so much and hurt so badly while I did feel Damien was trying to help Josh, but I also felt like Damien should get help for what he was going through and have someone there for him too and honestly I did not feel like Josh is in a place where he can do that.
I liked the authors writing and the book was good while extremely hard to read. I just did not feel it with these two MC's together.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
August 5, 2012
This is the prequel to the story Reunited, a story which I had issues with due to the amount of information (or missing information) that was crammed into a short space. While this prequel sheds some light on the backstory of Josh, it completely threw me by adding a horrific history to Damien, something I would never have suspected.
This is the very short story of how Damian and Josh met, through a therapy group. Josh has a history of cutting, and it’s pretty severe. He has been sexually abused by his stepfather and this is his way of coping, along with going to therapy. Josh does have a very supportive family unit, which also surprised me, since I didn’t think so from Reunited.
This almost requires me to go back and read Reunited again, since I feel now that what I thought of the two of them isn’t necessarily the same, definitely not Damian. I think I feel worse now about his reaction to Josh before. Silver, Damian’s best and only friend, is amazing and sweet (and oddly poetic, yes.)
This is the very short story of how Damian and Josh met, through a therapy group. Josh has a history of cutting, and it’s pretty severe. He has been sexually abused by his stepfather and this is his way of coping, along with going to therapy. Josh does have a very supportive family unit, which also surprised me, since I didn’t think so from Reunited.
This almost requires me to go back and read Reunited again, since I feel now that what I thought of the two of them isn’t necessarily the same, definitely not Damian. I think I feel worse now about his reaction to Josh before. Silver, Damian’s best and only friend, is amazing and sweet (and oddly poetic, yes.)
May 16, 2015
***arc kindly provided by netgalley, thank you!!!***
what a beautiful book!!! omg, don't get me wrong, it was really hard to read because of josh's issues mainly, but it was a very touching and beautiful book despite it all.
it showed, that there is more to a relationship than the superficial things like sex, having fun and good times together. it shows, that even if you've never searched for it, as soon as you found your other half of your soul, life can throw you curveballs all the time - it's ok, as long as you've got the other. even if your souls are deeply scarred.
yes,it was very angsty and gritty. yes, it was really out of the norm from what i normally read - but i'd totally recommend it!!!
it was a m/m-book without explicit sex-scenes. i wouldn't even really call it romance, yes there was love, but it was more finding your soulmate and build a life together... and no, that's not the same. it's hard to explain, i think everyone has to read for themselfes.
i give it 5 stars!!!
what a beautiful book!!! omg, don't get me wrong, it was really hard to read because of josh's issues mainly, but it was a very touching and beautiful book despite it all.
it showed, that there is more to a relationship than the superficial things like sex, having fun and good times together. it shows, that even if you've never searched for it, as soon as you found your other half of your soul, life can throw you curveballs all the time - it's ok, as long as you've got the other. even if your souls are deeply scarred.
yes,it was very angsty and gritty. yes, it was really out of the norm from what i normally read - but i'd totally recommend it!!!
it was a m/m-book without explicit sex-scenes. i wouldn't even really call it romance, yes there was love, but it was more finding your soulmate and build a life together... and no, that's not the same. it's hard to explain, i think everyone has to read for themselfes.
i give it 5 stars!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2016
I received this book free for an honest review.
This is a solid 5 star read for me. It's a very dark subject and its not like one of the MCs is "normal" either. Both Mcs have mental health problems and dark pasts. Also the main supporting characters also have dark pasts that is hinted at.
I think the research done about the mental health problems has been done well. The subject has been portrayed in a very real way nothing was glossed over with Josh hence why it was a dark subject. Many books with this subject as a storyline use something like sex to lighten the book. This couldn't be done really as Damian is asexual. But as Josh has used sex as a way to get affection Damian introduces him to a relationship with affection in a different way. He is shown a more innocent love.
There was a real connection between the MCs from the start. It was a quick connection that was built on throughout the book.
I would have loved for an epilogue with the MCs in the future to see how they had changed and developed together.
I am going to search out more books from this series.
This is a solid 5 star read for me. It's a very dark subject and its not like one of the MCs is "normal" either. Both Mcs have mental health problems and dark pasts. Also the main supporting characters also have dark pasts that is hinted at.
I think the research done about the mental health problems has been done well. The subject has been portrayed in a very real way nothing was glossed over with Josh hence why it was a dark subject. Many books with this subject as a storyline use something like sex to lighten the book. This couldn't be done really as Damian is asexual. But as Josh has used sex as a way to get affection Damian introduces him to a relationship with affection in a different way. He is shown a more innocent love.
There was a real connection between the MCs from the start. It was a quick connection that was built on throughout the book.
I would have loved for an epilogue with the MCs in the future to see how they had changed and developed together.
I am going to search out more books from this series.
October 25, 2015
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
This book was in the most part very depressing. The angst in this book was very excessive and the author was able to make it very believable. It was very hard to read and I had to take several breaks but I just had to remember that the people in this world go through these issues are real and they deserve to be heard. This book basically had no sex just a touching intimacy. This to me is what made the book so believable. You don’t just easily get over abuse like Josh and Damien had to deal with. My biggest complaint that there was very little detail on exactly what Damien had to deal with even though you get the idea when it does come out.
I would only recommend this book to people that don’t have triggers such as sexual abuse.
This book was in the most part very depressing. The angst in this book was very excessive and the author was able to make it very believable. It was very hard to read and I had to take several breaks but I just had to remember that the people in this world go through these issues are real and they deserve to be heard. This book basically had no sex just a touching intimacy. This to me is what made the book so believable. You don’t just easily get over abuse like Josh and Damien had to deal with. My biggest complaint that there was very little detail on exactly what Damien had to deal with even though you get the idea when it does come out.
I would only recommend this book to people that don’t have triggers such as sexual abuse.
May 1, 2014
this was a short story of Damian and Josh it was a story of two people that have decided that maybe a relationship wouldn't be so hard if they did it together. you start with Damian is going to group therapy and he see a young man that walks in and catches his attention but not for the reason you would think. then as he leaves work he finds this same guy sitting in the pouring rain for what ever reason he is drawn to him. he walks over and see that he has been crying. Damian is so shocked at what he does next he offers that guy a place to get out of the rain. not knowing that both of them are suffering from tragedy that they had no control over. it is a short story and you get the feel of how there relationship could grow to be a lot more.
July 24, 2016
Some scars don’t heal even with love
Damian found Josh alone, cold, soaked through and crying, and could not leave him. Josh is broken, victim to mental illness from years of abuse, he feels a connection to Damian but suffers from insecurities. Damian too has suffered and has issues about being touched, he also lacks social skills, however he feels different with Josh. Damian and Josh work through Josh’s wild mood swings attempting to become closer and form a relationship. This is definitely not the happily ever after romance, it touches on some very harsh topics and details some very unsettling situations faced by the main characters, that said, though often sad I enjoyed reading it and found the characters relatable, realistic and the story well written.
Damian found Josh alone, cold, soaked through and crying, and could not leave him. Josh is broken, victim to mental illness from years of abuse, he feels a connection to Damian but suffers from insecurities. Damian too has suffered and has issues about being touched, he also lacks social skills, however he feels different with Josh. Damian and Josh work through Josh’s wild mood swings attempting to become closer and form a relationship. This is definitely not the happily ever after romance, it touches on some very harsh topics and details some very unsettling situations faced by the main characters, that said, though often sad I enjoyed reading it and found the characters relatable, realistic and the story well written.
April 29, 2014
This is a very interesting short story. I guess its a prequel to Reunited which I haven't read.
Damian goes to group at the request of his therapist and he hates it. As he is leaving Josh walks in not realizing its over. Later that night on his way home Damian sees Josh sitting in the rain and brings him home. They end up opening to each other about their pasts and thus their relationship begins.
I think this would make an excellent book and wish it had been longer. I wouldve like to known the details of Damian's story.
I was given this ecopy by the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
Damian goes to group at the request of his therapist and he hates it. As he is leaving Josh walks in not realizing its over. Later that night on his way home Damian sees Josh sitting in the rain and brings him home. They end up opening to each other about their pasts and thus their relationship begins.
I think this would make an excellent book and wish it had been longer. I wouldve like to known the details of Damian's story.
I was given this ecopy by the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
October 13, 2015
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
Please heed the warnings for this book. I don’t mind reading books with serious subject matters and I always appreciate the warnings. However, this book just depressed me. I had to stop reading several times and go to another book because it was making me honestly depressed. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and I didn’t feel any connection with the characters themselves either. Each character had gone through so much it just seemed to get worse and like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I am sure others feel differently but this book just wasn’t for me.
Please heed the warnings for this book. I don’t mind reading books with serious subject matters and I always appreciate the warnings. However, this book just depressed me. I had to stop reading several times and go to another book because it was making me honestly depressed. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and I didn’t feel any connection with the characters themselves either. Each character had gone through so much it just seemed to get worse and like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I am sure others feel differently but this book just wasn’t for me.
September 11, 2012
Really liked this prequel to Reunited. In this story we get more background information on Damian and Josh. We get a view into the haunting abuse that Josh endured and how he met Damian. We also discover why Damian is cut off from people with the exception of Josh and his friend Silver.
I would really like to read more of Josh and Damian's story. I find both of them compelling and I liked Silver too!
I would really like to read more of Josh and Damian's story. I find both of them compelling and I liked Silver too!
January 11, 2013
The title describes it all. I liked that although Josh and Damian were scarred for life in- and outside there is still hope they can have feelings for another person. I don't believe in "love cures all" stories but I think that to find a person who supports you goes a long way. Those boys understand understand each other and know the other's pain. Maybe they can find a little peace over time. Must read the sequel soon ;)
wrote-it
May 4, 2019The new series will release in May, with the rewritten Scarred Souls to start it! It has almost no part of the original short story left in it, so this is a completely different book with a completely different plot. It's darker, it's a lot longer, it's in 1st person POV, it deals with heavy subject, and one main character is asexual. I hope you will enjoy it once it's out, because I'm real proud of this book! <3
February 17, 2014
Book provided by the author.
3.5 stars
Wow those are definitely some emotionally scarred souls.... I can't imagine the pain and suffering they have endured.
I would have liked it to be longer as it seemed to be over just as the story was starting.
I'm looking forward to reading more of their story in Inner Demons, the 4th in the series
3.5 stars
Wow those are definitely some emotionally scarred souls.... I can't imagine the pain and suffering they have endured.
I would have liked it to be longer as it seemed to be over just as the story was starting.
I'm looking forward to reading more of their story in Inner Demons, the 4th in the series
April 29, 2014
I'm not sure what to think about this short story because it was too short to have some critics opinion but as I understand this is prequel of "Reunited" so if I'm looking like that, it was good start and introducing of further events. Writing stile is good and I must say that I was interested enough to read "Reunited" as well.
November 11, 2016
Wow! This was even darker and more disturbing than I expected. It should most definitely come with strong warnings. Not only do we witness multiple episodes of cutting but also we sadly witness on page, graphic suicide. Honestly, had I known that I would witness that I would not have chosen to read this book.
May 3, 2014
Interesting story about troubled teens. Very realistic with language and behaviors understandable for the situations described. This is a prequel short story that is fast-moving and to the point quickly. If the novel is written in the same manner, it should be good as well.
October 6, 2020
This is a tough one. On the one hand, I read it in a single sitting, which is HIGHLY unusual for me these days. So it's obviously a well-written book, and I obviously connected with it. (Honestly, I have very personal reasons for connecting with it, but anyway.)
It made me cry, which is also an accomplishment for a book these days. Unlike many other reviewers, I found the two leads to have excellent chemistry with each other. There was, however, one thing that absolutely drove me bonkers.
It made me cry, which is also an accomplishment for a book these days. Unlike many other reviewers, I found the two leads to have excellent chemistry with each other. There was, however, one thing that absolutely drove me bonkers.
February 16, 2022
Broken... But Not Shattered
Damian understood I couldn’t give anything more. That every day was a battle I tried my best to win. But even if I won all the battles, I’d never win the war. No one could survive this thing called life. Death was the end for all of us.
But like I’d written in my letter, I didn’t plan on that happening anytime soon.
I planned to be around, to be with Damian, for a very long time.
And no matter how scarred I was, no matter how wounded... I wasn’t shattered.
I could still be put back together. Maybe not as together as I’d been before, but it was a long time since I’d been whole.
And that was what I had to focus on from now on.
Damian understood I couldn’t give anything more. That every day was a battle I tried my best to win. But even if I won all the battles, I’d never win the war. No one could survive this thing called life. Death was the end for all of us.
But like I’d written in my letter, I didn’t plan on that happening anytime soon.
I planned to be around, to be with Damian, for a very long time.
And no matter how scarred I was, no matter how wounded... I wasn’t shattered.
I could still be put back together. Maybe not as together as I’d been before, but it was a long time since I’d been whole.
And that was what I had to focus on from now on.
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