Chosen

Prodigal #3

by A.M. Arthur

Grayson “Gray” Jones has spent his entire adult life trying not to be seen, not to be noticed, and simply existing day to day. Trying to ignore the fact that he can’t remember anything about his life prior to turning fifteen. All he knows is survival. The day before his thirtieth birthday, Gray wakes up to find his brown eyes unexpectedly a vivid blue—and tiny flashes of memory start to return. He grew up in a now-abandoned Pennsylvania town called Chosenone, and that town is calling him home.


Ravaged by an underground fire, no one lives in Chosenone anymore, and during Gray’s explorations of the old buildings, he’s shocked to run into his childhood friend Ian. He and Ian shared everything growing up, even their birthdays. But while Gray’s life post-Chosenone was one of inexplicable hell, Ian grew up to become a decorated police officer. And Gray hates cops. But some force drew them home to finish a ritual that began fifteen years ago, and this time, Gray wants to finish it once and for all—even if it costs him his own life in the end.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Crime

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2018

About the author

No stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for (Prodigal-3) Chosen by A.M. Arthur

I could really feel and understand Gray Jones. For most of my life, I have tried to stay invisible because then eyes weren't on me, which made me feel scared. Living day by day, I also understood how he would have felt, or close to it. The fear he must have felt with his memory not being there from the age of fifteen and younger. I felt so much for him; the way he just needed to survive day by day tore my heart out. Then the day comes when memories start to come back. Ian knew Gray from when he was younger. Their lives couldn't be any more different while separate. While Gray's life is painful, Ian's life is good. He grew up to become a decorated police officer. This book kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I cheered for these two men. I have really enjoyed this series by A.M. Arthur. I can't wait to read more.

Nicole Harvey

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chosen is the third book in the Prodigal series. This book can be read as a standalone but why not enjoy the whole series. This is the story of Grayson (Gray) and Ian. Ok, this was another book in the series that I couldn't put down. These are short but pack a punch. This book was a bit darker than the others. I loved the little flash backs interspersed in the story. This was a great ending to the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

**********Contains Spoilers**********

I’m new to AM Arthur’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I really enjoyed this novella and thought that it was a good conclusion to the Prodigal Series. I’m usually not much of a fan of novellas since they’re insta-love but since the characters have a previous relationship, even though it was just childhood friends it didn’t bother me like it usual does and the blurb sounded very interesting.

I did notice a few errors throughout but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this novella. I’m so glad that Gray & Ian found each other after all these years and finally got their well deserved happily ever after. My heart hurt for Gray and everything he suffered through after escaping Chosenone fifteen years ago after the town was ravaged by an underground fire.

Wow, the mystery surrounding Gray & Ian and what happened in Chosenone fifteen years ago was completely messed up. I enjoyed the flashback scenes sprinkled throughout this novella. I’m looking forward to reading Frozen next, as well as more from AM Arthur in the future. I’d definitely recommend this novella, series and author to others.

******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third and last book of the series and it didn't disappoint. This one just like the rest had me turning pages but my heart goes out to Gray and Ian so much. From a small town in Chosenone where they were isolated and only had each other. Best friends since birth and they even share the same birthday. Except neither have much memories from the first 15 years of their lives until one day before their 30th birthday when their eyes turn from their usual color to blue and their matching birthmarks turn the same blue as their eyes. Gray starts to have some memory return and he knows his now abandoned hometown is calling him home. So now after a life of horrible things happening to him and having to survive everyday alone he now reunites with his best friend Ian while looking through the ruins of their old home. Together they have to figure out the mysteries of the town they grew up in and along the way they remember the love they always had for each other. So no matter what they're in it together til the end. I'm going to miss these eerie demon filled mysteries by this author but I won't forget them.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

blue birthmark, bubble gun & hard candies, special birthday wine, Chosenone-ami, inverted cross, bloodied blade, shotgun

This is a good book. I think out of the 3 "Prodigal" books, Book #2 is my favorite. It's a stronger story. Both have demons and MCs with blue eyes. This one also has blue birthmarks on both MCs and pasts that can't be clearly remembered. For such a short book, it still reads as a complete full-length novel. Amazing.

This story is told from Grayson Jones's POV. For such a short book, it still reads as a complete full-length novel. Gray has had a rough and tough life. Until he runs into his childhood best friend, Ian Woods. They know it isn't a coincidence. Something drew both back to Chosenone. Their memories come back piecemeal. They try to find out why they're back to the godforsaken town 15 years later.

I enjoyed reading this very much and happily recommend it.

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book of this series broke my heart—in the best way. From the very first page, I was swept into Gray and Ian’s world, feeling every ounce of their pain, longing, and love.

Growing up in the small, isolated town they only ever had each other. Best friends since birth, sharing the same birthday, yet neither remembers much from the first fifteen years of their lives. That all changes the day before their thirtieth birthday matching birthmarks glow in the same shade. Suddenly, fragments of memory return, and Gray feels the pull of the hometown he thought he had lost forever.

After years of hardship, survival, and loneliness, Gray is finally reunited with Ian amid the ruins of the life they once knew. Together, they navigate the haunting mysteries of their past and the town that shaped them—and in doing so, they rediscover the deep, unwavering love that has always bound them.

This story is raw, emotional, and unforgettable. No matter the darkness,

[Rebecca Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wraps up the prodigy series, and this was the perfect ending.

Gary and Ian have been in love since they were teenagers but something horrific happened and tore them apart. For fifteen years they’ve always felt something was off in their lives but couldn’t figure out what until now.

Finally reunited their memories start to resurface and their love for each other is stronger than ever. Together they work on figuring out what happened when they were fifteen and put it behind them for good.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put in down. It was terrifying at times but shows that when people love each other the way that Ian and Gray does they can’t get through anything together. Their happy ending was wonderful to witness after everything they had been through: can’t wait to read more from this author. 😁❤️

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in the Prodigal Story series, Chosen features Gray and Ian. Another quick read, this installment is also told through series of flashbacks as Gray remembers the backstory. As it unfolds, Gray and Ian find each other again and end up figuring out what happened to them 15 years earlier, and then together they deal with the current scenario. Again, no interconnected characters from previous books, just an interconnected theme. These two were destined to find their way back to one another, suffering a lot of trauma to get to their HEA. This book has past mentions of abuse and trauma and abandonment for TW but not graphic. Over enjoyed the series for what it was.

[Mir Jak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really been enjoying this Prodigal series !!! All three can be read as standalones ....there's only one identifier that connects them but absolutely no cross-overs with storylines/books/ characters ...nada. So, this one is the scariest of the three, but it's not gorey or anything. Story told from one POV, Gray, who suddenly starts remembering things and when he returns to his hometown, finds his childhood best friend.... there are flashbacks to certain scenes which ask more questions. Suspense and twists and just when you've figured it out.....more truths. Overall, great book & great series !

[Ana Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This one was intense and creepy considering it was inspired by a true story. Like, what?! This actually happened in PA?

I have loved all the books in this series. I love everything paranormal and combined with a good plot, smut and a HEA it’s all I need to be happy.

Gray and Ian’s love literally saved them. It was simply meant to be for them to find each other again and rekindle their love.

My heart broke for Gray. He went through so much pain. He deserved all the love in the world and Ian was there to give it to him.

Definitely recommend this series.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent ending to a series of novellas that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
This book was the darkest of the three.

There is a resolution at the end, but our heroes had to struggle, fight and prove their love for each other to overcome evil.

Thanks to GRR and AM for this ARC!

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Third book in this series of three somewhat standalones. Gray has had a very difficult life so far, and as the flashbacks to their past continued, it was apparent that Ian was the only positive in his whole life. The ending was a definite HEA, although rather too abrupt. This was the darkest book, but the least creepy.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a really creepy entry in the series. The abandoned town that seemed to have a strange hold over both Gray and Ian and the way Gray started to change and get bits of his memory back there was spooky. I enjoyed watching these two revisit their past as well as work to figure out the mystery of their present and how they connected.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! You can not put this book down. You literally have to carry it around with you so you don't miss anything and don't have to wait to see what is happening next. A.M., is a master storyteller keeping you engaged, riveted and looking over your shoulder. This is a series that you have to read over and over. Well done!

[Haley B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Prodigal series

Huge fan of A. M. Arthur, but not always a huge fan of short stories. All 3 of the shirt stories in the Prodigal series are wonderful. Filled with mystery and a bit of supernatural, perfect!

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ending to the series

This one was darker than the previous ones.
Ian and Grey fought so hard for their love.
The flashbacks were interesting and I really enjoyed how the clues were fed to us like a breadcrumb trail, a little at a time.

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional series that I highly recommend so not giving away any spoilers! Well written, compelling and brilliant characters. Loved Gray and Ian and thoroughly enjoyed following their journey. Give it a go you won't regret it!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this series of novellas by AM Arthur. I loved the mystery and while they were spooky, they weren't too scary and that's good because I'm a chicken. Just a good creepy factor.

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plot. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

[Adoraboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series. I have enjoyed the series alot.

[Geboyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was so cute. Creepy and spooky.

[Dasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is creepy. I needed the light on, but it was amazing. 😻