More Than Words

Hopelessly Devoted #3

by Gen Ryan

Losing everything can set you free.

Recently divorced Parker Matthews is broken-hearted and alone. Damaged in more ways than one, he knows he has to make a change and face his new reality. Finally deciding to get help for his PTSD and get his life together, he seeks support in a writing for healing class.

Forming a friendship with Arya Danvers, Parker begins to heal and seems determined to fight for his life and find his forever happiness. But when Parker’s fears threaten to strangle him for good, there’s just no telling how he will survive this next battle.

Disclosure: Cliff-hanger ending. The conclusion to Parker’s story continues in She’s Everything.

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Gen Ryan is an international best-selling author that spends her days as a forensic psychologist filling the minds of college students with everything they need to know to be good at their jobs. From profiling, to interrogation and ending with her absolute favorite, serial killers. Her nights, however, are spent crafting stories that will tear a reader’s heart out and twist their minds at the same time.

She brings a unique twist to romance, a twist always rooted somewhere deep inside the character’s psyche.

Reviews

[Badass Bloggettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to a realistic portrayal of issues, like PTSD, Gen Ryan does an excellent job crafting a story that allows the reader to experience the events not only in their heads but their hearts as well. More Than Words is the fourth book I’ve read by Ms. Ryan and each one takes me down a road that is a painfully beautiful adventure. So, I ask myself, “ how can I give a book five stars yet still wish the story played out another way?” I’ll explain later.

More Than Words made my heartache at times. Poor Parker is accustomed to people leaving him or not wanting him. Often Parker pushes them away by his actions, regardless he doesn’t know how to accept love except for his sister Emily. Parker’s PTSD is debilitating and broke up his marriage, pushes him to alcohol for release, and hold him from moving forward with his life. Watching your best friends die in battle while you live stirs strong feelings of survivor’s guilt and to continually ask why.

Arya is a beautiful character. She connects with Parker and helps him face life. She gives him love but more importantly, Parker returns her love. I love how Arya is a friend first until Parker wants more and shows that he wants more. She shares her struggles and past with him which allows Parker to gradually open up about his past.

More Than Words is the fourth book I’ve read by Gen Ryan. Like the other three books, More Than Words has a little bit of everything. There is joy, sorrow, laughter, fear, anger, and exploration with personal discovery. Everything a PTSD victim experiences due to the pain of recollection and feelings of failure cause to bubble to the surface regularly.

I love that Ms. Ryan is upfront and lets her readers know when a book is a cliffhanger. I am grateful that she releases the books in her series promptly. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers that make me wait a year or more for the next chapter. The next book in Parker’s story is scheduled to release in April. I can’t wait to read the conclusion to the series.

Editorial aside: To explain why I wanted something a little different. PTSD is a personal subject for me. Every book I’ve read on the subject (fiction) deals with a man or woman who loses their significant other because of the way Post Traumatic Stress Disorder takes over the thought process and their actions. I know in most cases when there is cheating or emotional hurting a partner, readers cheer when the partner moves on. I’m sure that is true for most people who read Rainey’s story. However, in real-life, there are moving stories of couples who fight together, seek counseling, and work through the wrongs inflicted. They often come out stronger on the other end. I believe that is also an emotionally compelling story that doesn’t get told often. In the beginning, whenever I read Arya I substituted Rainey until it didn’t work anymore. Both Rainey and Arya are super loving and supportive women. Rainey’s decisions are the most common and realistic. I understand the decision to take that route.

I love Rainey’s story (the first two books in the Hopelessly Devoted series), and I love what we have so far of Parker’s story. There isn’t one word that I would change, I only wish that surviving PTSD together with the first partner could get some time too.

[Megan Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy wow! This book tore me apart, in a way only Gen can, but in a good way.
Parker is so beautifully damaged. He's hurting.
Arya is so beautifully understanding, and patient.
This book is as heart wrenching as it is important. The issues dealt with here and heavy but they must not be ignored.
Gen did an incredible job of showing us inside Parker's head. I want so badly to hug him and help put him back together.
You need to read this book. Then you'll be waiting with baited breath for the next one, because I need it. Now!

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a really good read. It's an emotional read. Parker is a mess. He has a lot of things to deal with. We get flashbacks of Parker's past which helps to show why he is hurting so back. Arya runs a writing class for healing. That's where Parker and Arya meet. Arya has a not so great past to and has gotten her life on track. I loved Arya and Parker together. Their relationship starts as friends then builds into more. Just when I thought things were going to be all good something happens that puts their happiness in jeopardy. I was not happy with the way this one ended and can't wait to see how it works out in the next one.

[United Indie Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve wanted Parker story since the first book in the series, this can be read as a stand-alone but better if you start with book one. It’s heartbreaking and to know our veterans are hurting like this in real life just makes it more so. I liked the flashbacks so we can get deeper into the whys and how’s of Parker. I read it so fast and now must wait to know what happens.

Review by Raychel

[Sharon Kallenberger Marzola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gen's realistic and emotional portrayal of the suffering and havoc PTSD causes so many soldiers. Like every book I read by this amazing author, I couldn't put it down. A must read!

Full review on Badass Bloggettes: https://badassbloggettes.wordpress.co...

[Rebecca Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker Matthews is recently divorced from his high school sweetheart, Rainey, and trying to deal with his PTSD and his drinking. He has no idea what he wants to do with his life but knows he needs to get clean for his sister Emily, a recovering drug addict.

Parker meets Arya Danvers, an instructor in his writing class and recovering alcoholic. She and Parker immediately click and the two form a close bond that gradually turns into more.

But Parker still keeps Arya at a distance and won't open up to her. When tragedy strikes will Arya be able to pull Parker through or will everything fall apart?

This was such a great book and it was good to get a book from Parker's perspective. I was so mad at Parker in the first two books but I knew he had gone through so much overseas and I really liked learning about how he grew up and why he was the way he was.

Life was definitely not easy for Parker and Emily and they were each working hard at turning their lives around slowly.

Arya was such a breath of fresh air and she had her own demons in the past and she sought refuge in drinking but gradually she came up on top. She was patient with Parker but knew he had a lot of things that he had to overcome. I liked how she gave him support and nudged him in the right direction.

I liked how Parker finally found a career that he enjoyed but I absolutely hated the twist in the book and it broke my heart. I was glad though who was there for him and how they made peace.

The ending tore me in two and I hated how low Parker got, even with what Arya said.

Looking forward to what is coming!!

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker Matthews has just recently gotten a divorce from the woman he thought he would be with the rest of his life. That combined with his PTSD from doing his military tours overseas, he's flying towards his bottom at warp speed. Finally, he decides he has to get help, and during that process, he signs up for support in a writing for healing class where he meets Arya Danvers, the teacher, with whom he develops a friendship with. And as they spend time together, she teaches him how to stop letting life pass him by, and it doesn't take long for deeper feelings to develop. But just when he thinks he is firmly on his way back up, life throws more at him, and this time, will his fears strangle him for good? More Than Words was an emotional journey filled with intense angst that almost brought me to my knees. Parker didn't have the best childhood first of all, but then to suffer what he did in the military, and come home & lose the rest of his life? Yeah, leaky eyes during this story for real! And Arya was good for him, but when life threw that last right hook, I was hoping she would have done something different. Anyway, the talented Gen Ryan wrote a story that I'm feel like I'm talking about my friends, that's how far I was invested, and she didn't sugar coat the topics, which obviously came off realistic. And that ending? I'm jacked up to be left hanging like that, so the next book can't come out quickly enough for me! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Parker sinks deeper into his pity party it looks like nothing is going to draw him out. Until he meets the teacher. This beautiful emotional read just about tore me up. I read the other books and was done with him after all he did to Rainey but now we get his story. He hasn't had an easy life but thru it all he took care as best he could of his sister, until he couldn't. But he does end his pity party, especially since now he has a reason. Seeking help will make it all easier, but goodness he is stubborn. Now he has motivation. Love reading Parker story. This author does an amazing job of bringing it all together and showing us the bottomless pit of despair and the battle to dig oneself out of it. Beautiful, brutal, emotional. Great stuff.

[Shaylene Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker Matthews is broken in many ways. He is recently divorced, heart broken and alone. He knows he needs help with his PTSD. Once he finally starts to seek help he goes to a writing class to help heal. The flashbacks in her show why Parker has became the man he is so it helped with the questions about what happened. Parker's story is very touching. I'm so glad we got yo see how Parker got to where he is at this point. I can't wait to see what he will do and how he will move forward in his life in the last book of the series.

[Lisa Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is such an emotional read, but it's a really good one. We get Parker's story with flashbacks of his past that helps explain alot more about him. Recently divorced from the woman whom meant everything to him, and dealing with PTSD, will he find his way back. He meets Arya whom also is dealing with her issues. Will they be good for each other or will he push her away. This story is heartbreaking and beautiful and brilliantly written. I can't wait to read the next book to see how things turn out. I just couldn't put this book down. Loved it.

[Lindsey Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker’s story is heartbreaking, brilliant and beautiful. I absolutely hate cliffhangers, but I’m dying to read what’s coming next for Parker and Arya. I have to say that the last few pages of this book left me in a complete What The Fuck moment. Gen Ryan is amazing and it’s her background as a psychologist that makes her stories pack a major punch. I can’t wait for She’s Everything to hit my Kindle app!

[Randi Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best in the series

I love all of Gen's books, but I this is my favorite. I love broken heroes and it doesn't get much more broken than Parker.

I thought it would be awkward, having spent the last two books mad at Parker, to having to care. But it wasn't weird at all, in fact, I just wanted to wrap him in a hug and tell him it would be okay.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 5.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

I’m so glad that Parker got to tell his story. I think I have a much better understanding of him now that I’ve read this book. I can’t wait to read the conclusion of Parker’s story in She’s Everything.

[Tena Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ugly cry for me but it was so good

Patrick just don't seem like he can catch a break until he meets Arya. But will she be enough to get him to understood. This story started out like a sweet love story then it turns into a ugly cry. But it was so good. A great story

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gen Ryan may well be one of the best authors I’ve read recently. I loved reading more of Parker’s story and learned about Arya. I can’t wait to read the next book.