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Aftermath #1
Aftermath
Austin Huntley and Cameron Nash are like night and day. One is a family man, works in a nice office, drives an expensive car, and is content to be content. The other one is an antisocial car mechanic with a short fuse.
Some things don’t change. Others definitely do.
After surviving a five-month long kidnapping together, they struggle to return to normalcy, all while realizing that they’re more drawn to each other than they ever could’ve imagined.
“I know I’m not normal, but I’m not fucking stupid.”
“Define normal,” Austin countered quietly, meeting Cam in the doorway. “And for not being normal, you’re the only person in the world who makes sense right now. What does that say about me?”
Warning: This story contains violence and scenes of an explicit, erotic nature between two men and is intended for adults, 18+.
Word count: 62 000
Some things don’t change. Others definitely do.
After surviving a five-month long kidnapping together, they struggle to return to normalcy, all while realizing that they’re more drawn to each other than they ever could’ve imagined.
“I know I’m not normal, but I’m not fucking stupid.”
“Define normal,” Austin countered quietly, meeting Cam in the doorway. “And for not being normal, you’re the only person in the world who makes sense right now. What does that say about me?”
Warning: This story contains violence and scenes of an explicit, erotic nature between two men and is intended for adults, 18+.
Word count: 62 000
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2013
319 people are currently reading
4297 people want to read
About the author
Cara Dee
95 books4,049 followers
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 747 reviews
September 5, 2013
2 stars.**Review completed September 5, 2013
I feel a little bit lonely...
The premise of Aftermath did sound compelling. Add in the fact that ten of my friends and one of my followers rated it either with four or five stars and I thought "Count me in!" It started off promising and I've had a good feeling, but it began to fizzle out soon enough. Well, it's kinda obvious that I can't trust my gut feeling all the time. In fact, I was dead wrong with Aftermath. After I posted my first update at 10 % a lot went down the drain for me. What didn't work for me:
One of my main issues was that I got bored rather quickly. Finishing this book was a tedious chore and not a pleasure.
It's difficult to put the finger on it but I think the writing was too detached, mechanic and sterile for my liking. I want emotions not just a SHALLOW chronology of events! I mean this topic is incredibly emotional, and yet nothing really touched me about it. Don't get me wrong, I would never wish such a fate upon anyone but I did not really care about the characters. In fact, I never connected with them on the emotional level. I came to a point where I wanted it to be over ASAP. There was no character development and hardly any relationship development. No, scratch that. There was none at all. In consequence, I didn't buy the ILYs either. I got it that these two had lots of issues to deal with. BUT. Again, there is a point where I've had enough and I just wanted to see some kind of progress. Gimme something, dammit! Instead of really dealing with their issues they went round in circles; it was too repetitive. Anxiety attacks, anger management issues, headaches, blah blah blah. I just didn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Yet I wanted to see how they would address those issues. In the end though, the only thing they did to let off steam was having a f@ck. As a matter of fact, Austin Yep, let's f@ck and then we'll feel better. Sorry, that's just…lame.
I did enjoy some timeframe hopping in the past but the constant back and forth in Aftermath was TEDIOUS, to say the least, especially when it happens every couple of pages. So many back-and-forths make a story extremely choppy and left me irritated to no end.
It's beyond miraculous that these guys survived their captivity. A little example:
It's mind-boggling. They patched each other up all the time. And me thinks there were too many situations that were not believable, simply too far-fetched.
Another big issue of mine was the conflict Throw in some insults et voilà! *shakes head* BTW, I must say that his It doesn't get any shallower!
I didn't understand why First, it did piss me off how they treated each other and then I was even more pissed off when things ended so abruptly.
Finally, the ending was too rushed. Everything was wrapped up so fast. Austin's and there were flowers and unicorns. That is all.
It's safe to say that I have found another book that goes straight on my shelf books-everyone-loved-but-baba. Onwards...
I feel a little bit lonely...
The premise of Aftermath did sound compelling. Add in the fact that ten of my friends and one of my followers rated it either with four or five stars and I thought "Count me in!" It started off promising and I've had a good feeling, but it began to fizzle out soon enough. Well, it's kinda obvious that I can't trust my gut feeling all the time. In fact, I was dead wrong with Aftermath. After I posted my first update at 10 % a lot went down the drain for me. What didn't work for me:
One of my main issues was that I got bored rather quickly. Finishing this book was a tedious chore and not a pleasure.
It's difficult to put the finger on it but I think the writing was too detached, mechanic and sterile for my liking. I want emotions not just a SHALLOW chronology of events! I mean this topic is incredibly emotional, and yet nothing really touched me about it. Don't get me wrong, I would never wish such a fate upon anyone but I did not really care about the characters. In fact, I never connected with them on the emotional level. I came to a point where I wanted it to be over ASAP. There was no character development and hardly any relationship development. No, scratch that. There was none at all. In consequence, I didn't buy the ILYs either. I got it that these two had lots of issues to deal with. BUT. Again, there is a point where I've had enough and I just wanted to see some kind of progress. Gimme something, dammit! Instead of really dealing with their issues they went round in circles; it was too repetitive. Anxiety attacks, anger management issues, headaches, blah blah blah. I just didn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Yet I wanted to see how they would address those issues. In the end though, the only thing they did to let off steam was having a f@ck. As a matter of fact, Austin Yep, let's f@ck and then we'll feel better. Sorry, that's just…lame.
I did enjoy some timeframe hopping in the past but the constant back and forth in Aftermath was TEDIOUS, to say the least, especially when it happens every couple of pages. So many back-and-forths make a story extremely choppy and left me irritated to no end.
It's beyond miraculous that these guys survived their captivity. A little example:
It's mind-boggling. They patched each other up all the time. And me thinks there were too many situations that were not believable, simply too far-fetched.
Another big issue of mine was the conflict Throw in some insults et voilà! *shakes head* BTW, I must say that his It doesn't get any shallower!
I didn't understand why First, it did piss me off how they treated each other and then I was even more pissed off when things ended so abruptly.
Finally, the ending was too rushed. Everything was wrapped up so fast. Austin's and there were flowers and unicorns. That is all.
It's safe to say that I have found another book that goes straight on my shelf books-everyone-loved-but-baba. Onwards...
August 12, 2018
4 Stars
Austin and Cam were kidnapped by a psycho for five months. They were through hell and back. After they came back they wanted to be normal but how can they!? It’s not easy for them with what they experienced.
"In captivity, they had patched each other up as best they could. They’d been each other’s nurse, doctor, shoulder to cry, and punching bag."
Austin and Cam had leaned on each other for five months, now that they came back they feel at peace with each other! But it’s not really easy for them to move on with their lives!
The story contains flashbacks and reading them made me uncomfortable but liked that these two were so in tune with each other from the first! Loved that how they wanted to help each other, how they tried to heal each other, how they trusted each other, and how they did things without regret! Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s dark, well-written, well-paced with a great story-line, and likable characters. It’s the first installment in the "Aftermath" series and it can be read as a standalone. Overall, it was an enjoyable read for me and hope you like it as well! Onto the next book!
Austin and Cam were kidnapped by a psycho for five months. They were through hell and back. After they came back they wanted to be normal but how can they!? It’s not easy for them with what they experienced.
"In captivity, they had patched each other up as best they could. They’d been each other’s nurse, doctor, shoulder to cry, and punching bag."
Austin and Cam had leaned on each other for five months, now that they came back they feel at peace with each other! But it’s not really easy for them to move on with their lives!
The story contains flashbacks and reading them made me uncomfortable but liked that these two were so in tune with each other from the first! Loved that how they wanted to help each other, how they tried to heal each other, how they trusted each other, and how they did things without regret! Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s dark, well-written, well-paced with a great story-line, and likable characters. It’s the first installment in the "Aftermath" series and it can be read as a standalone. Overall, it was an enjoyable read for me and hope you like it as well! Onto the next book!
December 22, 2014
This book has mostly 5 star reviews from ALL of my friends so please feel free to ignore me.
I couldn't finish this book.
None of it worked for me. I didn't like the detached writing style, the constant flashbacks (I sometimes had trouble knowing if it was present or past going on for a few moments), and the rapid POV switches. I didn't like the way the wife was portrayed, like the fact that she wasn't supportive made it okay to . The whole book just didn't fit my mood.
I'm sorry everyone, maybe I'll return to finish this one day but today is not that day.
I couldn't finish this book.
None of it worked for me. I didn't like the detached writing style, the constant flashbacks (I sometimes had trouble knowing if it was present or past going on for a few moments), and the rapid POV switches. I didn't like the way the wife was portrayed, like the fact that she wasn't supportive made it okay to . The whole book just didn't fit my mood.
I'm sorry everyone, maybe I'll return to finish this one day but today is not that day.
January 11, 2018
***4.25 Stars***
Aftermath is a book that has been sitting on my kindle forever. The blurb sucked me in and the premise was intriguing, but I kept passing it by thinking that I'd need to be in the right mindset to read a dark romance.
This book is definitely not a dark romance....AT ALL. Is it difficult to read at times? Yes. But this book sits firmly on the foundation of friendship, companionship, hope, healing and love.
The book takes place one month after Cam and Austin's release from their kidnapping. There are flashbacks generously interspersed throughout the story to highlight a pivotal moment, an emotion, a trigger or to generally show how deeply their bond was formed during their captivity. And each flashback slowly builds to the moment of their escape.
The psychological and physical torture that took place in that dark and foul basement isn't overly detailed, but it does vividly depict how crazed and maniacal their kidnapper was.
The book's main focus is on Austin and Cam...their healing and adjustment to their post-kidnapping lives, their continued friendship, their sense of peace when they're together...and their hope that things will get better. It also focuses on Austin's journey accepting that he has deeper feelings for Cam...a man.
While Austin's transition was a little too easy and accepting, I could understand why it didn't need to be this big emotional conflict. After what he'd gone through, it was easy for him to accept that having Cam in his life, in his heart, just felt natural...and right.
I wish Austin's wife, Jade, wasn't depicted as this horrible and evil woman. She was just plain selfish and vile. And while I understand that she may have wanted out of that marriage for a long time, using Austin's recovery against him was just despicable. There was already one villain in this story, there really didn't need to be another.
Austin and Cam were two well developed characters that were easy to connect to. Their relationship was caring, intimate, passionate and soul touching. They truly fit together in every sense.
Their journey wasn't an easy one, but it was beautiful seeing that neither man was on that path alone. And that epilogue....well it just left me with the biggest smile on my face.
April 20, 2015
When I first started reading this book I really expected it to be really dark because of the blurb. But honestly I think it's one of the sweetest story I read. Usually don't like too sweet books but this one was perfect. It wasn't over the top,there wasn't any drama or any angst in the process of their relationship. It was actually pretty normal how everything went.
You have present time and parts when they have flashbacks and remember how it was when they were abducted, hold captive and abused.
Austin and Cam were in the same cell for months. In those months they became close but as support and comfort and as needing somebody to keep them hoping they will survive. They had only each other to rely on.
After escaping they stayed close and continued to help each other even after everything, because they knew that nobody could understand them as they do each other.
Austin ,straight, realised that he started having feelings for Cam and what I loved about this book is that he just went in it. Without any fear,curious to see how will Cam,bisexual, accept it.
OMG I loved them all the time. Everything was so easy to read. The story flew so normally. When they were together.... just beautiful, sweet and normal.
When they were having sex.... bloody hell.... LOVED IT ♥
It was described so normal without any poetic bullshit. Just normal sex scenes that were hot as hell.
Maybe the reason I love this book so much is the normal process of going in relationship without any drama, if you extract the flashbacks parts.
I really loved both characters, I couldn't pick which one I love more and when they were together it was impossible for me not to love it.
Cam with his medical issues and Austin with his personal problems.... together they were perfect. Even though messed up, they were perfect. It felt so normal for them to be together ♥
I would have rated this story 4 stars but after thinking how much I came to love both Austin and Cam I just can't. That last 5th star is actually for them and how perfect they are for me.
You have present time and parts when they have flashbacks and remember how it was when they were abducted, hold captive and abused.
Austin and Cam were in the same cell for months. In those months they became close but as support and comfort and as needing somebody to keep them hoping they will survive. They had only each other to rely on.
After escaping they stayed close and continued to help each other even after everything, because they knew that nobody could understand them as they do each other.
Austin ,straight, realised that he started having feelings for Cam and what I loved about this book is that he just went in it. Without any fear,curious to see how will Cam,bisexual, accept it.
OMG I loved them all the time. Everything was so easy to read. The story flew so normally. When they were together.... just beautiful, sweet and normal.
When they were having sex.... bloody hell.... LOVED IT ♥
It was described so normal without any poetic bullshit. Just normal sex scenes that were hot as hell.
Maybe the reason I love this book so much is the normal process of going in relationship without any drama, if you extract the flashbacks parts.
I really loved both characters, I couldn't pick which one I love more and when they were together it was impossible for me not to love it.
Cam with his medical issues and Austin with his personal problems.... together they were perfect. Even though messed up, they were perfect. It felt so normal for them to be together ♥
I would have rated this story 4 stars but after thinking how much I came to love both Austin and Cam I just can't. That last 5th star is actually for them and how perfect they are for me.
January 18, 2018
Reread January 2018
I'm seeing a trend here with me rereading this about the same time every year lol. I absolutely LOVE these two guys. I love Cam and all his gruffness and quirks and anxiety. I love Austin in all his anger and his need for control. But I love them together and how they are there for each other and love each other no questions asked....anger, control anxiety, quirks and all.
Repeating myself, every time I read this I hate Jade, Austin's wife, even more. I want to feel sorry for her but I just can't. Not even a month out and she's telling him to "get over it". I don't understand it.
Reread January 2017
I absolutely love this book. It's rough for sure. The torture these guys went through was horrible. And maybe their relationship began because of circumstances but they truly fell for each other as a soul mates. I just loved seeing them develop further...into more.
On a side note: I STILL hate Austin's wife. In the reread she was even more obnoxious and spiteful to me than originally.
Original review February 2016
Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I wasn't sure how this was all going to work out but Cara Dee made it work.
This book has some really tough subjects: physical abuse and torture, PTSD, Asperger Syndrome, survivor guilt, coming out and more. At times, it was really rough. I can't imagine experiencing what these men experienced. Yet, they came out on the other side and developed a strong and beautiful relationship.
The story is told present day with flashbacks to a horrific time when 10 men were kidnapped and tortured. These flashbacks were brutal but the author made it work. I honestly don't think it could have been written as a prologue then moved the story to the present. It just worked the way it was written. It's definitely not your typical romance/GFY story but I loved it.
I have to say, and I think a few have mentioned it in reviews, Austin's wife, Jade was a complete uncaring bitch. She just used his problems as an excuse to divorce him. I absolutely hated the way she treated Austin and wanted him to "just get over it and go back to the way things were." She was a social worker for crying out loud! I would hope she had more compassion for the people she worked with than she did her husband.
I'm seeing a trend here with me rereading this about the same time every year lol. I absolutely LOVE these two guys. I love Cam and all his gruffness and quirks and anxiety. I love Austin in all his anger and his need for control. But I love them together and how they are there for each other and love each other no questions asked....anger, control anxiety, quirks and all.
Repeating myself, every time I read this I hate Jade, Austin's wife, even more. I want to feel sorry for her but I just can't. Not even a month out and she's telling him to "get over it". I don't understand it.
Reread January 2017
I absolutely love this book. It's rough for sure. The torture these guys went through was horrible. And maybe their relationship began because of circumstances but they truly fell for each other as a soul mates. I just loved seeing them develop further...into more.
On a side note: I STILL hate Austin's wife. In the reread she was even more obnoxious and spiteful to me than originally.
Original review February 2016
Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. I wasn't sure how this was all going to work out but Cara Dee made it work.
This book has some really tough subjects: physical abuse and torture, PTSD, Asperger Syndrome, survivor guilt, coming out and more. At times, it was really rough. I can't imagine experiencing what these men experienced. Yet, they came out on the other side and developed a strong and beautiful relationship.
The story is told present day with flashbacks to a horrific time when 10 men were kidnapped and tortured. These flashbacks were brutal but the author made it work. I honestly don't think it could have been written as a prologue then moved the story to the present. It just worked the way it was written. It's definitely not your typical romance/GFY story but I loved it.
I have to say, and I think a few have mentioned it in reviews, Austin's wife, Jade was a complete uncaring bitch. She just used his problems as an excuse to divorce him. I absolutely hated the way she treated Austin and wanted him to "just get over it and go back to the way things were." She was a social worker for crying out loud! I would hope she had more compassion for the people she worked with than she did her husband.
September 23, 2013
There are not enough crying gifs on the internet to express my feelings about this book.
God damn. I cried reading this a lot. This book was special. Very special. I found the story to be unique and extremely compelling.
Sometimes with books that involve a lot of trauma I find them to be a bit overly dramatic and I find myself sad/crying for silly reasons... this book had none of those silly reasons. I honest to god cried like 5 times while reading this book.
I laughed a lot as well. And damn, were the sex scenes hot or what. Seriously, this book has everything in it I love. Unique story, interesting characters, daring plot, NO melodrama, and heartbreaking moments. This book was also GFY (gay for you) which normally I'm fine with, but in this case it was perfect and actually made sense. It wasn't like one day some dude notices his bro-friend is hot and wants to gobble his junk. The love interest and attraction and the GFY situation made complete and total sense.
If you're going to spend money on something thismonth year, it should probably be this book. I'd pay 3x what I did to read this book, it was that good for me. Seriously I think this book is like $5. For $5 you can't buy something this good.
I just finished the epilogue and I cried pretty grossly at this part:
LIKE, BREAK MY HEART INTO A THOUSAND PIECES WHY DON'T YOU, CARA DEE?
Totally worth it though. Totally worth it. I actually feel a responsibility to say thank you for this. It's one of the most enjoyable reads I've had this year and I don't think I'll be forgetting this book anytime soon.
God damn. I cried reading this a lot. This book was special. Very special. I found the story to be unique and extremely compelling.
Sometimes with books that involve a lot of trauma I find them to be a bit overly dramatic and I find myself sad/crying for silly reasons... this book had none of those silly reasons. I honest to god cried like 5 times while reading this book.
I laughed a lot as well. And damn, were the sex scenes hot or what. Seriously, this book has everything in it I love. Unique story, interesting characters, daring plot, NO melodrama, and heartbreaking moments. This book was also GFY (gay for you) which normally I'm fine with, but in this case it was perfect and actually made sense. It wasn't like one day some dude notices his bro-friend is hot and wants to gobble his junk. The love interest and attraction and the GFY situation made complete and total sense.
If you're going to spend money on something this
I just finished the epilogue and I cried pretty grossly at this part:
LIKE, BREAK MY HEART INTO A THOUSAND PIECES WHY DON'T YOU, CARA DEE?
Totally worth it though. Totally worth it. I actually feel a responsibility to say thank you for this. It's one of the most enjoyable reads I've had this year and I don't think I'll be forgetting this book anytime soon.
November 23, 2016
4-4.5 Stars
This was really, really good. I really liked Cam and Austin and their interactions with each other and their families. I love it when characters really need each other and Cam and Austin definitely did. The only thing I didn't love was the flashback style story telling, but that's just personal preference. Otherwise, this was a really solid m/m novella and I will definitely read more from this author.
This was really, really good. I really liked Cam and Austin and their interactions with each other and their families. I love it when characters really need each other and Cam and Austin definitely did. The only thing I didn't love was the flashback style story telling, but that's just personal preference. Otherwise, this was a really solid m/m novella and I will definitely read more from this author.
February 24, 2014
"That was fucking brutal."
"No." Austin disagreed. "We know what brutal is, and this wasn't it."
First off, I want to start off by saying that this was not nearly as dark as I thought it would be. Between the cover and some other reviews I'd read, I was extremely hesitant to read this one but this is NOT A DARK ROMANCE! There are some scenes that include a bit of torture but it's not a huge mindfuck of a book...no one falls in love with their torturer, there are no sadistic sexual games. This is simply about two men who bonded after being held prisoner by a crazy ass wacko along with a few other men.
Austin is married and has a preteen daughter. His wife is just about the bitch of the year, and this was the biggest part about this book that I didn't like. I really don't like when a significant other is made out to be the worst sort of person...unbelievably terrible, in this case, in order to excuse cheating. Because make no mistake, Austin is married during the entire course of this book. And to me, the wife's bad-itude was too dramatic, too heartless to be believed.
Onward. The rest of the story was pretty intense. Interspersed with present tense conversations and actions are flashbacks from both Cam and Austin of their days in captivity. Each flashback gives you just a little bit more insight into they why's of their kidnapping...although for me, it really all came down to the utter lunacy of their captor.
What struck me was how completely nonsexual and non-romantic their initial time together really was. But that time together made them rely on each other for not only physical support but also for the constant companionship and emotional support that they lost when they were taken away from their loved ones.
"As far as Austin knew, lust came first, but that wasn't true here. Somewhere in the past six months, he'd started to fall for Cam, and now there was no going back. He'd been blindsided by terms like friendship and brotherhood, maybe even brothers-in-arms, but this went deeper."
So some of this story is about their horrific captivity. So much more of it is the aftermath...how they are dealing (or not dealing) with the fact that they were stripped of control for so long. I imagine it's even harder for a man...a big, strong, manly man...to have all of his choices taken away. To be powerless, especially to someone so weak.
Cam is bisexual, and fairly open about the fact. He's got Asberger's syndrome, which is a highly functioning form of Autism, characterized by some antisocial qualities, abrasive behavior, and hyper-focusing at times.
"Don't be an idiot. I don't like idiots."
My husband was thought to have this when he was a kid (though no official diagnosis), so I could relate to him very well. He's a great guy but extremely blunt. At times his rough demeanor was hilarious, at other times it was kind of sad.
"S-sorry," Austin croaked minutes later. Cam rolled his eyes, as he didn't see the big deal. There was no reason to apologize. "Shut the fuck up and cry or whatever."
He's a lonely guy but not lonely in the normal sense. He has the opportunity to be around people. Problem is, he just doesn't really LIKE people. Except Austin. He likes Austin.
Austin is a fairly normal guy. It was a bit unbelievable how quickly he accepted his attraction for Cam, but he grew up with parents that were very liberal, very non-judgmental. Honestly, it didn't seem to bother him and I wonder how big a part his circumstances went to giving him that attitude. I imagine you don't care much about what others think when you've gone through something like that.
"It was too soon to say exactly what it was with Cam that Austin wanted, and he wanted to beak it down to just a one word answer: Cam. He wanted Cam - needed Cam - period, but he had no clue what that meant. Comfort, closeness...intimacy?"
I'm so glad that I read this story. It's an unforgettable one, very original, and doesn't follow the current trend of messed up romances; rather, it puts two people in unusual, messed up circumstances and builds their romance during the healing process. That, to me, is much more believable and easier to root for.
Buddy read with Em and Steph :D Thank you ladies! I loved it!
May 5, 2015
4.5 PTSD-meets-GFY Stars!
Aftermath was recommended to me by a couple friends lately and I'm so thankful I listened. It was really a different plot-line and that was refreshing! The book takes us back and forth with flashbacks in time to when Cam and Austin were abducted. Both men hadn't known each other at the time when a psycho abducted several men and housed them in a
Cam and Austin are now free from that captivity and trying desperately to move on with their lives. Austin is a married man with a daughter, and an accountant... starched suit, Beaver-Cleaver lifestyle. Cam, on the other hand, suffers from mild Aspergers Syndrome, lives alone, bisexual, a mechanic, and is rather foul-mouthed. Both men came back from their five months of hell totally scarred and shells of who they were previously. Nobody understands the hell they lived thru except those men that lived through it right alongside them. The nightmares, the flashbacks, the fear of closed-in spaces... Cam and Austin lean on each other for support when the other is suffering with anxiety and flashbacks. Two completely different men with totally different lifestyles coming together to find solace in their misery.
I really liked the dynamics of these two men. So different yet so completely attached to each other. Those months in the "cage" they shared formed a bond between them that appears to be unbreakable. Nobody else understood their inability to step back into their previous lives and resume life as usual.
I loved Cam's character. The man with more crosses to bear and less support at home, he was the person who seemed to be the rock between he and Austin. Austin's wife was so insensitive and I wanted to throttle her. So that brings up a spoiler. Is there cheating? Is cheating a hard limit for you? Then click the spoiler....
Aftermath started out kind of slow for me trying to attach myself to the characters thru these flashbacks. But once their post-trauma relationship started to build, I was completely hooked. That first 1/3 of the book was the foundation I needed to understand their connection, I guess.
I'd highly recommend this book to seasoned MM readers. It's a bit graphic for people looking for a more sweetsy love story. But it's one filled with angst yet hope for a future with healing and happiness. THAT was my favorite part...the coming together for support and slow growth of love between these two men. And steam factor. Holy smokes! When it ramps up, it RAMPS UP! Holy hotness Batman! That's truly when I started loving it. I'm an MM whore, what can I say? #SorryNotSorry
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January 22, 2017
5 stars!
Gun or no gun!
Once I stumbled upon this boom here on Goodreads, I knew that I would have to give it a try sometime. I read the blurb, the many reviews of my Goodreads friends and I just couldn’t ignore it any longer. I’m always looking for the raw and gritty reads out there and this one sounded very promising in all the right places.
Austin and Cam have been to hell and back together. After having survived a kidnapping of five months, they are desperately trying to deal with the aftermath and with their sudden attraction to each other. The book is jumping between flashbacks and scenes in the present and I have to admit that this has both – advantages and disadvantages. We are getting the whole story about how Cam and Austin met, what they had to endure and how they managed to give each other enough strength to survive. It definitely made me understand them better. On the other hand, the story part that plays in the present felt a little rushed sometimes and I had the feeling that a few more insights into their emotions would have helped to feel more connected to them.
While I would have liked to read more about them in the present, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on the flashbacks. Austin’s and Cam’s relationship felt raw, pure and very credible. I have been wishing them the very best from the beginning until the end and I know that this story will stay with me for a long time.
I’m really curious about Chase and Remy’s story. The blurb has definitely lots of potential. I guess I will be looking into it soon!
Gun or no gun!
Once I stumbled upon this boom here on Goodreads, I knew that I would have to give it a try sometime. I read the blurb, the many reviews of my Goodreads friends and I just couldn’t ignore it any longer. I’m always looking for the raw and gritty reads out there and this one sounded very promising in all the right places.
Austin and Cam have been to hell and back together. After having survived a kidnapping of five months, they are desperately trying to deal with the aftermath and with their sudden attraction to each other. The book is jumping between flashbacks and scenes in the present and I have to admit that this has both – advantages and disadvantages. We are getting the whole story about how Cam and Austin met, what they had to endure and how they managed to give each other enough strength to survive. It definitely made me understand them better. On the other hand, the story part that plays in the present felt a little rushed sometimes and I had the feeling that a few more insights into their emotions would have helped to feel more connected to them.
While I would have liked to read more about them in the present, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on the flashbacks. Austin’s and Cam’s relationship felt raw, pure and very credible. I have been wishing them the very best from the beginning until the end and I know that this story will stay with me for a long time.
I’m really curious about Chase and Remy’s story. The blurb has definitely lots of potential. I guess I will be looking into it soon!
June 24, 2020
------ Orig Review July 2016 -----
4.5 Stars
Angsty, emotional, and brutal at times. I loved this story from beginning to end. Even the parts that were hard to read felt necessary to see where these men came from and how they got to where they are.
January 17, 2024
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“If I see a chance, I'll fight with all I have left."
Those words both soothed and terrified Cam. "Gun or no gun?"
"Gun or no gun.”
For five months, Austin and Cam, along with eight other men, were locked in a cell together and were at the helpless mercy of a cruel tormentor. It was dark, it was hopeless, it was painful torture; the one shining light through it all was the comfort and solace they found in each other. The last semblance of hope that they knew the other was there to pick up the pieces when they fell - when they returned from the horrible torment their kidnapper inflicted upon them. It is upon their return into society, as both of them attempt to reclaim their place in the lives they left behind, the aftermath of those events still lingers in their hearts and souls takes its toll upon them, as they slowly realize that the only ones they can ever truly be comfortable with again - is with each other. ❤️🩹
“In captivity, both men had tackled their problems whether they wanted to or not. It had gotten to the point where nothing intimidated them—not even weapons. They'd been desperate for freedom, for the chance of healing.”
It would have been better if the events of their kidnapping had been depicted in a separate installment; the majority of this already short novel was dedicated to covering so much of their time in confinement - simply to showcase how their relationship had grown to the extent that they were each other's sole comforting presence. For each iteration we were given to them, struggling with their PTSD, so much was then focused on detailing what happened to them in the past. It made for some very jarring time jumps that didn't allow me to be invested in either their past or their present. I was not able to appreciate the aftermath of their past, when I spent so much time reading about the past.
But, those moments were harsh; as weak as the writing was in those moments, it effectively showed how Austin and Cam's relationship was built on the intense bond they forged during their time in captivity. It was harsh, it was bleak, it was their lives for five months. Five helpless months where they got to understand each other more intimately than they've ever shared with anyone else, having only each other to rely on, tenderly treating each other's injuries, listening to their fears of never seeing their families again - Austin's baby girl, Riley, calmed one another during a panic attack, fighting for a chance to escape - it was all the building blocks of what was to come that the author spent such a significant time on that when it came to the present timeline, moments were sped up. Not enough time dedicated to flesh out their growth or their attraction for each other. 🙍🏻♀️
“The way they often hovered near each other couldn’t possibly be because of simple friendship. You wanted to be with a friend, but that didn’t explain Austin's need for always taking that extra step to be within reach.
One of them always made that little move that brought them closer.”
I liked the brief hesitancy they both showed for acting upon their attraction; I liked that there in stemmed a deeper interest for the other, one which Austin severely grappled with because his latent attraction to the younger man. They were captives first, then close friends, the one they would call during a crisis, and then the one they couldn't imagine not having in their arms. Cam was so harsh from the outside, but when he dropped his guard with Austin, let his honest and vulnerable side to show was such a precious moment; the trust they had fought so hard to protect shined in those intimate moments where they were each other's stability - their solid ground. 🫂
There was something innately touching in how they understood each other so well; how they knew how to handle each other's struggles and know how to respond in kind to it. 'He could've understood wanting Cam as a security blanket after everything they'd been through, but that wasn’t it.' It was so rough for both of them, still haunted by the painful memories, the ever-present scars that still crept over their hearts. But, what was so heartbreaking was how they were the only two who understood their pain - the fear of their chance of survival - the emotional trauma that would take time to heal - the knowing of how to respond to an unwarranted reaction. 😟
Austin was so tender with Cam, and Cam was at such a war for his attraction for an older straight man, that when they finally acted upon their feelings - despite my own personal misgivings on the approach to it - it felt right for both of them. 'That he had to have Cam in his life had been established a long time ago, but now he was realizing just how much they'd grown to need each other—in every aspect.' Their reactions to their physical intimacy was also appreciated by me. 🥺 It was not the best of ways, but the fact that they even acknowledged that something had shifted, that this was something of importance - that this had been love all along was captured well. How its not only shared trauma that binds people together, it's that emotional connection - that heart-breaking realization that this person understands me better than anyone ever has, and its a cruel shame that it was in the worst of times that one was able to find that special someone who they would want forever to be a part of the the best of times. ❤️🩹
“So, he just murmured, "I don’t take this lightly." Then he kissed Cam, changing the tension from serious to heated in a second. "I want you to trust me on that."
Cam released a breath and lay down again. "Okay.”
Among the many issues that I struggled with was how lacking the writing was; it wasn't that it was mundane, but even in the kidnapped scenes, it wasn't on a strong footing. Plus, the comfortable ease in which Austin eased himself - not only into Cam, but totally accepting of his attraction to Cam, so dexterously skilled in the bedroom, so intent on his keen sexual preferences. 🤦🏻♀️'And inside of him…it was like a storm building up. Indescribable emotions raged and surged, leaving him raw and open.' And then, towards the end, in the possibility that the author was so intent on setting the groundwork for the next book, she sped through the evolution of their relationship. Seeing into both their conflicted thoughts, the uncertainty of it making word - especially for Austin, who had a family he had to think about, was portrayed well. 👍🏻
It is safe to say that Cara Dee cares very deeply about the characters she's created; hence, the intense need to constantly remind us of them, by casually bringing them up, time and time again, into her stories. Fine. As much as it detracts my attention trying to bring myself to care about characters who really don't have anything to do with the current story, I can live with that. 😐 The author also tends to gravitate towards having her characters have reasons to cheat in their marriage, solely for it to feel alright that they can act upon their attraction for someone else. Okay. I'll bite - here, it bothered me, but it is not unusual for someone to develop an attraction for someone they've shared such a terrible ordeal with, realizing how much this person is the only one they feel safe and trusted with. It's cool.
But, what I don't get - what I can't seem to understand is why is there always the need to portray the wife in such a bad light?? 😩 Is it not enough that we get a few sparse details that Austin's marriage was already on the fritz, but then to write Gale in such an offensive and nonchalant and uncaring manner, when she's ---
“She's a medical social worker. She assesses whether or not a patient needs help after leaving the hospital."
He rolled over to face Cam again and automatically draped an arm around his middle. "God, I'm exhausted.”
You're exhausted! I am appalled, sir! 😫 This is unacceptable and a clear violation of what it takes to demean a character to the extent of being completely unlikeable. Of all jobs, of all professions, why would you make her have this particular job, one dedicated to caring for the well-being of others, when she is so uncaring of Austin's feelings to his entire ordeal! Telling him to 'to get over it'; not even willing to discuss it with him, snapping at him mercilessly, when he felt trapped in the house! My God, she needs to be fired from that job if she treats her patients the way she treated her husband. 😤
It's like she needs the readers to see what a horrible person she is, it feels like such a cheap tactic. Is it to make her completely unlikeable so that we can empathize with Austin's decision? Is it to make it seem more acceptable for why Austin felt so emotional detached and bitter in their marriage that it was alright? I don't mind that they get together, just don't make the wife such a horrible person in the process!! It just seems like such a cheap tactic, so blatantly disrespectful and just rubbed me the wrong way and made it even harder for me to be invested in their growth. 😢
I like to give an author the benefit of the doubt, but the fact that this was written in 2013, and even in 2023, the same tactics were being employed in their recent novel is upsetting; especially, considering how massively impressive their book range is. And it's a shame because the concept of Chase and Remy's novella intrigues me; but knowing my luck and the author's way of skillfully ruining things for me, I don't know if I should take that leap or not... 🙍🏻♀️
“If I see a chance, I'll fight with all I have left."
Those words both soothed and terrified Cam. "Gun or no gun?"
"Gun or no gun.”
For five months, Austin and Cam, along with eight other men, were locked in a cell together and were at the helpless mercy of a cruel tormentor. It was dark, it was hopeless, it was painful torture; the one shining light through it all was the comfort and solace they found in each other. The last semblance of hope that they knew the other was there to pick up the pieces when they fell - when they returned from the horrible torment their kidnapper inflicted upon them. It is upon their return into society, as both of them attempt to reclaim their place in the lives they left behind, the aftermath of those events still lingers in their hearts and souls takes its toll upon them, as they slowly realize that the only ones they can ever truly be comfortable with again - is with each other. ❤️🩹
“In captivity, both men had tackled their problems whether they wanted to or not. It had gotten to the point where nothing intimidated them—not even weapons. They'd been desperate for freedom, for the chance of healing.”
It would have been better if the events of their kidnapping had been depicted in a separate installment; the majority of this already short novel was dedicated to covering so much of their time in confinement - simply to showcase how their relationship had grown to the extent that they were each other's sole comforting presence. For each iteration we were given to them, struggling with their PTSD, so much was then focused on detailing what happened to them in the past. It made for some very jarring time jumps that didn't allow me to be invested in either their past or their present. I was not able to appreciate the aftermath of their past, when I spent so much time reading about the past.
But, those moments were harsh; as weak as the writing was in those moments, it effectively showed how Austin and Cam's relationship was built on the intense bond they forged during their time in captivity. It was harsh, it was bleak, it was their lives for five months. Five helpless months where they got to understand each other more intimately than they've ever shared with anyone else, having only each other to rely on, tenderly treating each other's injuries, listening to their fears of never seeing their families again - Austin's baby girl, Riley, calmed one another during a panic attack, fighting for a chance to escape - it was all the building blocks of what was to come that the author spent such a significant time on that when it came to the present timeline, moments were sped up. Not enough time dedicated to flesh out their growth or their attraction for each other. 🙍🏻♀️
“The way they often hovered near each other couldn’t possibly be because of simple friendship. You wanted to be with a friend, but that didn’t explain Austin's need for always taking that extra step to be within reach.
One of them always made that little move that brought them closer.”
I liked the brief hesitancy they both showed for acting upon their attraction; I liked that there in stemmed a deeper interest for the other, one which Austin severely grappled with because his latent attraction to the younger man. They were captives first, then close friends, the one they would call during a crisis, and then the one they couldn't imagine not having in their arms. Cam was so harsh from the outside, but when he dropped his guard with Austin, let his honest and vulnerable side to show was such a precious moment; the trust they had fought so hard to protect shined in those intimate moments where they were each other's stability - their solid ground. 🫂
There was something innately touching in how they understood each other so well; how they knew how to handle each other's struggles and know how to respond in kind to it. 'He could've understood wanting Cam as a security blanket after everything they'd been through, but that wasn’t it.' It was so rough for both of them, still haunted by the painful memories, the ever-present scars that still crept over their hearts. But, what was so heartbreaking was how they were the only two who understood their pain - the fear of their chance of survival - the emotional trauma that would take time to heal - the knowing of how to respond to an unwarranted reaction. 😟
Austin was so tender with Cam, and Cam was at such a war for his attraction for an older straight man, that when they finally acted upon their feelings - despite my own personal misgivings on the approach to it - it felt right for both of them. 'That he had to have Cam in his life had been established a long time ago, but now he was realizing just how much they'd grown to need each other—in every aspect.' Their reactions to their physical intimacy was also appreciated by me. 🥺 It was not the best of ways, but the fact that they even acknowledged that something had shifted, that this was something of importance - that this had been love all along was captured well. How its not only shared trauma that binds people together, it's that emotional connection - that heart-breaking realization that this person understands me better than anyone ever has, and its a cruel shame that it was in the worst of times that one was able to find that special someone who they would want forever to be a part of the the best of times. ❤️🩹
“So, he just murmured, "I don’t take this lightly." Then he kissed Cam, changing the tension from serious to heated in a second. "I want you to trust me on that."
Cam released a breath and lay down again. "Okay.”
Among the many issues that I struggled with was how lacking the writing was; it wasn't that it was mundane, but even in the kidnapped scenes, it wasn't on a strong footing. Plus, the comfortable ease in which Austin eased himself - not only into Cam, but totally accepting of his attraction to Cam, so dexterously skilled in the bedroom, so intent on his keen sexual preferences. 🤦🏻♀️'And inside of him…it was like a storm building up. Indescribable emotions raged and surged, leaving him raw and open.' And then, towards the end, in the possibility that the author was so intent on setting the groundwork for the next book, she sped through the evolution of their relationship. Seeing into both their conflicted thoughts, the uncertainty of it making word - especially for Austin, who had a family he had to think about, was portrayed well. 👍🏻
It is safe to say that Cara Dee cares very deeply about the characters she's created; hence, the intense need to constantly remind us of them, by casually bringing them up, time and time again, into her stories. Fine. As much as it detracts my attention trying to bring myself to care about characters who really don't have anything to do with the current story, I can live with that. 😐 The author also tends to gravitate towards having her characters have reasons to cheat in their marriage, solely for it to feel alright that they can act upon their attraction for someone else. Okay. I'll bite - here, it bothered me, but it is not unusual for someone to develop an attraction for someone they've shared such a terrible ordeal with, realizing how much this person is the only one they feel safe and trusted with. It's cool.
But, what I don't get - what I can't seem to understand is why is there always the need to portray the wife in such a bad light?? 😩 Is it not enough that we get a few sparse details that Austin's marriage was already on the fritz, but then to write Gale in such an offensive and nonchalant and uncaring manner, when she's ---
“She's a medical social worker. She assesses whether or not a patient needs help after leaving the hospital."
He rolled over to face Cam again and automatically draped an arm around his middle. "God, I'm exhausted.”
You're exhausted! I am appalled, sir! 😫 This is unacceptable and a clear violation of what it takes to demean a character to the extent of being completely unlikeable. Of all jobs, of all professions, why would you make her have this particular job, one dedicated to caring for the well-being of others, when she is so uncaring of Austin's feelings to his entire ordeal! Telling him to 'to get over it'; not even willing to discuss it with him, snapping at him mercilessly, when he felt trapped in the house! My God, she needs to be fired from that job if she treats her patients the way she treated her husband. 😤
It's like she needs the readers to see what a horrible person she is, it feels like such a cheap tactic. Is it to make her completely unlikeable so that we can empathize with Austin's decision? Is it to make it seem more acceptable for why Austin felt so emotional detached and bitter in their marriage that it was alright? I don't mind that they get together, just don't make the wife such a horrible person in the process!! It just seems like such a cheap tactic, so blatantly disrespectful and just rubbed me the wrong way and made it even harder for me to be invested in their growth. 😢
I like to give an author the benefit of the doubt, but the fact that this was written in 2013, and even in 2023, the same tactics were being employed in their recent novel is upsetting; especially, considering how massively impressive their book range is. And it's a shame because the concept of Chase and Remy's novella intrigues me; but knowing my luck and the author's way of skillfully ruining things for me, I don't know if I should take that leap or not... 🙍🏻♀️
October 22, 2017
3 stars
I love Cara Dee's writing style. I discovered her with Noah. I adored Home and then I just dived in When Forever Ended because I couldn't get enough.
Unfortunately I enjoyed Aftermath the least. It reminded me a little about When Forever Ended, because of the straight married man who had a child to sooth after their parents' divorce. While in When Forever Ended I understood the character's internal struggle, here I kind of blamed Austin for not being honest to his wife, before going to Cam. This would be my biggest complain.
And to be completely honest, I'd also admit I hate flashbacks into the past. While I understand why they were needed here, so we have glimpses of their life in captivity and all those horrors they've witnessed, well I still got bored. I just couldn't take it at one point and needed to put it aside.
It took me some time to finish it, and this is never a good sign. I'm sorry to say it wasn't what I was hoping for. But the ending and the epilogue were pretty sweet. Just not enough to rate it with more than 3 stars.
I love Cara Dee's writing style. I discovered her with Noah. I adored Home and then I just dived in When Forever Ended because I couldn't get enough.
Unfortunately I enjoyed Aftermath the least. It reminded me a little about When Forever Ended, because of the straight married man who had a child to sooth after their parents' divorce. While in When Forever Ended I understood the character's internal struggle, here I kind of blamed Austin for not being honest to his wife, before going to Cam. This would be my biggest complain.
And to be completely honest, I'd also admit I hate flashbacks into the past. While I understand why they were needed here, so we have glimpses of their life in captivity and all those horrors they've witnessed, well I still got bored. I just couldn't take it at one point and needed to put it aside.
It took me some time to finish it, and this is never a good sign. I'm sorry to say it wasn't what I was hoping for. But the ending and the epilogue were pretty sweet. Just not enough to rate it with more than 3 stars.
July 14, 2018
Found an MM series by Cara Dee I haven’t read yet...shockingly enough.
I liked this one quite a bit, but it was a bit heavier than I prefer. And I don’t *love* flashbacks always. They tend to pull me out of the story. But I get we needed to experience what Austin and Cam went through when they were kidnapped. Which was quite horrible I might add.
Yes, there’s cheating. But it didn’t bother me much in this scenario.
Overall, this one was a really good read.
I liked this one quite a bit, but it was a bit heavier than I prefer. And I don’t *love* flashbacks always. They tend to pull me out of the story. But I get we needed to experience what Austin and Cam went through when they were kidnapped. Which was quite horrible I might add.
Yes, there’s cheating. But it didn’t bother me much in this scenario.
Overall, this one was a really good read.
September 14, 2016
I’m in the minority here.
I had this book for ages in my shelf because almost everybody loves it. So that’s why I feel pretty lost, like I mixed the directions to the party and ended up in a different place instead, you know?
TBH, if this hadn’t been for my BR friends, I'd have given up for sure.
The first 50% was very hard for me to read. Not because of the kidnapping and abuse thing, no. On one hand I got the feeling this was boring. On the other one, I need to go on and find out what would happen. I needed to know the outcome, the resolution of things. How the author would solve this.
She doesn’t have a quite compelling style of writing. Just the opposite, it was rather impersonal and grey, and that only made it harder. Despite this, I was so curious I forced myself to continue. I grant that.
Everything improves, slowly, in the last 30% of the book. The final chapters and the epilogue are more telling that showing, though, so I must admit I was a little disappointed the author didn’t continue the sweet streak in a more unhurried way.
I had several issues.
First of all, Austin’s sexuality. He’s almost 40 years old. Married to a woman, with a daughter. He has never felt attracted to guys, or so I assume. All of a sudden, he lives a traumatic experience with Cam, and he falls in love. At this stage of things, I have several questions. In no moment I saw an inner conflict. Even more, he has never been raised in an oppressive environment, his family accepts homosexuality and they even received with open arms the announcement of Austin’s cousin being gay. I mean, he’s been his entire life believing something of himself that is no longer true, and there is no reaction, nor surprise nor shock at the “Wow, I have a boner for a guy” realization. No need to explore that reality, to come to terms with himself, to get to know himself again, above all when it's uncalled for, no warning signs whatsoever.
So I guess this is a GFY story, but the theme is not very well explained.
Of course, then I started considering Austin is not mentally healthy, we can't expect him to react as an average person would, not even as Austin himself would if he hadn’t have lived through that he had to live. Still, he reacts to other things, like the marriage problems or his daughter Riley, but not to this one. So I don't know if the author knew how these ‘issues’ work or she just overlooked them because it was too difficult to explain in a logical way to suit the story.
Also, their relationship has the limits blurred. Cam and Austin go from needing each other to survive to needing each other for love... or did they? I honestly don’t see this being a healthy love story, these co-dependent dynamics don’t metamorphose into love bonds that evidently. In no moment the author explained this or gave time for the characters to separate both realities and make the reader clear of this. Not really.
The issue made me uncomfortable. I’m not fond of Jade at all, but it says a lot about Austin’s integrity with his silence and his . I simply wanted Austin to be brave, to get the bull by the horns and to be honest with her, that’s all.
Jade, Austin’s wife, is a weak character. We only get to be told her vicious façade, we don’t really see how she really is, why Austin married her all those years ago, how the crumbling marriage develops. She’s so cold and selfish it was quite obvious something rang wrong, that she was , because she behaves as if she doesn't care about Austin at all, not only as a husband, but as a man, a person who was abused. No affection, not even friendship, or support of any kind.
The author uses the word ‘sexy’ too much, I rolled my eyes at the upteenth time it was used. It was getting on my nerves.
I liked Cam much better, he’s straightforward, he has no ties, no real baggage. I’d have liked to see his Asperger’s having more importance, to be more developed. But it’s just an anecdote, only to serve for the ‘bonding’ purpose to have a deeper meaning while Cam and Austin are held together against their will.
At first the flashbacks felt like a relish for torture. Well, it felt that way for most of the story. But somewhere along the way, these flashbacks are more and more frequent, and the pieces fit together and it begins making REAL sense. That last 30% made the real sense. We start the book with the love story “half-done” and I couldn’t see why that devotion, why that camaderie, why that dependence. The “problem” of this book is that there is no real enlightenment until very late, because it relies too much on flashbacks. But once they come to an end, their relationship at the beginning of the book has a real meaning. If I re-read this book now, knowing the general picture already, I would have understood the relationship and the characters better.
But I won’t re-read this book.
So maybe it would have been better to just write this book from beginning to end, instead of a chain of pieces for each parallel story. However, it would also be a little too dark and horrifying.
I suppose.
I loved the secondary characters. Cam’s brother and his pregnant wife. Cam’s parents. Austin’s parents. Riley is a delight, she becomes the soul of the party every time she makes an appearance.
C.A.R. indeed.
All in all, I think this book is 2 stars, 2.5 stars tops. The first 50% was 1 star for me, but then I finally felt the pull to read more and more. The second 50% made the book for me, but even that wasn’t enough.
*****
BR with Christelle, Karen and Josy. The Fantastic Four strike again!
I had this book for ages in my shelf because almost everybody loves it. So that’s why I feel pretty lost, like I mixed the directions to the party and ended up in a different place instead, you know?
TBH, if this hadn’t been for my BR friends, I'd have given up for sure.
The first 50% was very hard for me to read. Not because of the kidnapping and abuse thing, no. On one hand I got the feeling this was boring. On the other one, I need to go on and find out what would happen. I needed to know the outcome, the resolution of things. How the author would solve this.
She doesn’t have a quite compelling style of writing. Just the opposite, it was rather impersonal and grey, and that only made it harder. Despite this, I was so curious I forced myself to continue. I grant that.
Everything improves, slowly, in the last 30% of the book. The final chapters and the epilogue are more telling that showing, though, so I must admit I was a little disappointed the author didn’t continue the sweet streak in a more unhurried way.
I had several issues.
First of all, Austin’s sexuality. He’s almost 40 years old. Married to a woman, with a daughter. He has never felt attracted to guys, or so I assume. All of a sudden, he lives a traumatic experience with Cam, and he falls in love. At this stage of things, I have several questions. In no moment I saw an inner conflict. Even more, he has never been raised in an oppressive environment, his family accepts homosexuality and they even received with open arms the announcement of Austin’s cousin being gay. I mean, he’s been his entire life believing something of himself that is no longer true, and there is no reaction, nor surprise nor shock at the “Wow, I have a boner for a guy” realization. No need to explore that reality, to come to terms with himself, to get to know himself again, above all when it's uncalled for, no warning signs whatsoever.
So I guess this is a GFY story, but the theme is not very well explained.
Of course, then I started considering Austin is not mentally healthy, we can't expect him to react as an average person would, not even as Austin himself would if he hadn’t have lived through that he had to live. Still, he reacts to other things, like the marriage problems or his daughter Riley, but not to this one. So I don't know if the author knew how these ‘issues’ work or she just overlooked them because it was too difficult to explain in a logical way to suit the story.
Also, their relationship has the limits blurred. Cam and Austin go from needing each other to survive to needing each other for love... or did they? I honestly don’t see this being a healthy love story, these co-dependent dynamics don’t metamorphose into love bonds that evidently. In no moment the author explained this or gave time for the characters to separate both realities and make the reader clear of this. Not really.
The issue made me uncomfortable. I’m not fond of Jade at all, but it says a lot about Austin’s integrity with his silence and his . I simply wanted Austin to be brave, to get the bull by the horns and to be honest with her, that’s all.
Jade, Austin’s wife, is a weak character. We only get to be told her vicious façade, we don’t really see how she really is, why Austin married her all those years ago, how the crumbling marriage develops. She’s so cold and selfish it was quite obvious something rang wrong, that she was , because she behaves as if she doesn't care about Austin at all, not only as a husband, but as a man, a person who was abused. No affection, not even friendship, or support of any kind.
The author uses the word ‘sexy’ too much, I rolled my eyes at the upteenth time it was used. It was getting on my nerves.
I liked Cam much better, he’s straightforward, he has no ties, no real baggage. I’d have liked to see his Asperger’s having more importance, to be more developed. But it’s just an anecdote, only to serve for the ‘bonding’ purpose to have a deeper meaning while Cam and Austin are held together against their will.
At first the flashbacks felt like a relish for torture. Well, it felt that way for most of the story. But somewhere along the way, these flashbacks are more and more frequent, and the pieces fit together and it begins making REAL sense. That last 30% made the real sense. We start the book with the love story “half-done” and I couldn’t see why that devotion, why that camaderie, why that dependence. The “problem” of this book is that there is no real enlightenment until very late, because it relies too much on flashbacks. But once they come to an end, their relationship at the beginning of the book has a real meaning. If I re-read this book now, knowing the general picture already, I would have understood the relationship and the characters better.
But I won’t re-read this book.
So maybe it would have been better to just write this book from beginning to end, instead of a chain of pieces for each parallel story. However, it would also be a little too dark and horrifying.
I suppose.
I loved the secondary characters. Cam’s brother and his pregnant wife. Cam’s parents. Austin’s parents. Riley is a delight, she becomes the soul of the party every time she makes an appearance.
C.A.R. indeed.
All in all, I think this book is 2 stars, 2.5 stars tops. The first 50% was 1 star for me, but then I finally felt the pull to read more and more. The second 50% made the book for me, but even that wasn’t enough.
*****
BR with Christelle, Karen and Josy. The Fantastic Four strike again!
August 23, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because still no 1/2 stars here on GR and RILEY!!! Sorry, I love that name.
Gun or No Gun...
Imagine being held hostage...a prisoner against your will to a stranger you've never met...never laid eyes on and they keep you locked up in a basement no windows, no light unless they allow it. You don't know why this has happened to you. All you truly know is you're not alone there are 9 other men just like you...trapped in tiny cells, 2 men in ever cell, wearing shackles, your basic needs dependent on the whims of a madman. How desperate would you get? How long would it take you to get to the point where your motto...the mantra that hummed in your brain would become...gun or no gun and what does that mean?
For Cam and Austin what it meant was whether their captor had a gun or he didn't if the chance to try and escape came they would take it. This is the world in which these two men meet. Both of them captured by the same madman who would hold them hostage for 5 months. Five months of near starvation, torture, brutality at the hands of someone they'd never met.
'Aftermath' begins with after these men have escaped...not everyone made it out alive...but those that did have returned to their former lives and are trying to move on to make sense of a world that no longer makes sense to them. There's a bond that forms when people endure extreme situations like this and sometimes once everything is over so is the bond. People don't want to be reminded of the horrors of what they went through other times the bond continues even strengthens because that other person is the only person who truly knows what has been endured. Not just that they can empathize or sympathize they know, they were there, they understand in a way that can't be explained. This is what happened for Cam and Austin and once everything was over what they each had to face was how much deeper that bond was, deeper than either of them had realized.
For me the first part of this story was ok, I liked the way the author gave us the background of what happened to them while they were being held hostage in the form of flashbacks for me that worked really well but at the same time I wasn't quite clicking with the characters. I wanted to know the story but my emotional connection wasn't fully there. I think a large part of this was because of the whole situation surrounding Austin's wife. It all felt really, really wrong for me and just didn't work. I basically wanted a different scenario here, but not my story and while I respect that the author told it the way she wanted it to be...because, hey it's her story unfortunately it took away from things for me (so, please bare in mind that just because this didn't work for me, I'm not saying it was bad...simply that it didn't work for me. I know it worked for a lot of other people so this isn't right or wrong just personal taste).
The second part of this story especially the last 20% worked tickity boo for me. It was awesome and I enjoyed it a lot. Interestingly enough the situation with said wife was resolved and she was basically not a part of this. Also there were so many things that I did like a lot. I liked Cam and Austin when these two men were together there was chemistry and the more together they were the better the chemistry was...damned near explosive at times. I loved that they both had awesome and supportive families there were no douchecanoe parents or siblings to deal with. There were also dogs!!! Dogs are they best they know how to love you and make you feel special just by looking at you with their awesome, trusting puppy eyes and there was Austin's daughter, Riley. Riley was epic...totally and awesomely epic...not perfect but epic.
For me overall the first part of this book probably rolled in at about 2.5 stars while the second part sat pretty solidly around 4 so a compromise of 3.5 stars.
And best of all 5+ stars to some of the best buddy read friends ever the beautiful Christelle, the amazing Sheziss who hung in there for us in spite of the fact that things just weren't working for her and last but not least my awesome cyber child Josy.
Gun or No Gun...
Imagine being held hostage...a prisoner against your will to a stranger you've never met...never laid eyes on and they keep you locked up in a basement no windows, no light unless they allow it. You don't know why this has happened to you. All you truly know is you're not alone there are 9 other men just like you...trapped in tiny cells, 2 men in ever cell, wearing shackles, your basic needs dependent on the whims of a madman. How desperate would you get? How long would it take you to get to the point where your motto...the mantra that hummed in your brain would become...gun or no gun and what does that mean?
For Cam and Austin what it meant was whether their captor had a gun or he didn't if the chance to try and escape came they would take it. This is the world in which these two men meet. Both of them captured by the same madman who would hold them hostage for 5 months. Five months of near starvation, torture, brutality at the hands of someone they'd never met.
'Aftermath' begins with after these men have escaped...not everyone made it out alive...but those that did have returned to their former lives and are trying to move on to make sense of a world that no longer makes sense to them. There's a bond that forms when people endure extreme situations like this and sometimes once everything is over so is the bond. People don't want to be reminded of the horrors of what they went through other times the bond continues even strengthens because that other person is the only person who truly knows what has been endured. Not just that they can empathize or sympathize they know, they were there, they understand in a way that can't be explained. This is what happened for Cam and Austin and once everything was over what they each had to face was how much deeper that bond was, deeper than either of them had realized.
For me the first part of this story was ok, I liked the way the author gave us the background of what happened to them while they were being held hostage in the form of flashbacks for me that worked really well but at the same time I wasn't quite clicking with the characters. I wanted to know the story but my emotional connection wasn't fully there. I think a large part of this was because of the whole situation surrounding Austin's wife. It all felt really, really wrong for me and just didn't work. I basically wanted a different scenario here, but not my story and while I respect that the author told it the way she wanted it to be...because, hey it's her story unfortunately it took away from things for me (so, please bare in mind that just because this didn't work for me, I'm not saying it was bad...simply that it didn't work for me. I know it worked for a lot of other people so this isn't right or wrong just personal taste).
The second part of this story especially the last 20% worked tickity boo for me. It was awesome and I enjoyed it a lot. Interestingly enough the situation with said wife was resolved and she was basically not a part of this. Also there were so many things that I did like a lot. I liked Cam and Austin when these two men were together there was chemistry and the more together they were the better the chemistry was...damned near explosive at times. I loved that they both had awesome and supportive families there were no douchecanoe parents or siblings to deal with. There were also dogs!!! Dogs are they best they know how to love you and make you feel special just by looking at you with their awesome, trusting puppy eyes and there was Austin's daughter, Riley. Riley was epic...totally and awesomely epic...not perfect but epic.
For me overall the first part of this book probably rolled in at about 2.5 stars while the second part sat pretty solidly around 4 so a compromise of 3.5 stars.
And best of all 5+ stars to some of the best buddy read friends ever the beautiful Christelle, the amazing Sheziss who hung in there for us in spite of the fact that things just weren't working for her and last but not least my awesome cyber child Josy.
August 25, 2013
Absolutely Fabulous!
OK..now that I sat on my thoughts of this book overnight, I still think it was fricken fabulous in a heartbreaking and very emotional way.
These guys have been thru hell & back..together. They are locked in a cell together for 5 months, they learn to count on each other to get them thru each day..'patching' each other up and while not really noticing it at the time...falling in love with each other.
The story is told in present tense and we learn of what happened to them via flasbacks. Each time we start moving along in the present something clicks and we flashback and we learn a little something new...it worked well for this story.
So Austin & Cam are two of the most amazing men I've read about in a while. They remain very close 'after'...it's not all unicorns and glitter, they aggravate & push each other but that's what makes it real.
OK..now that I sat on my thoughts of this book overnight, I still think it was fricken fabulous in a heartbreaking and very emotional way.
These guys have been thru hell & back..together. They are locked in a cell together for 5 months, they learn to count on each other to get them thru each day..'patching' each other up and while not really noticing it at the time...falling in love with each other.
The story is told in present tense and we learn of what happened to them via flasbacks. Each time we start moving along in the present something clicks and we flashback and we learn a little something new...it worked well for this story.
So Austin & Cam are two of the most amazing men I've read about in a while. They remain very close 'after'...it's not all unicorns and glitter, they aggravate & push each other but that's what makes it real.
September 16, 2013
1.5*
I nearly fell asleep trying to read this. Twice. Once in the morning, once later in the day, so it really wasn't me and sleep deficit.
Given the outré topic I found this to be boring, meh and far, far too talkative. I didn't like how the wife got set up as a typical GFY-trope-ish "mean bitch", and I'm sort of really over "typical American males" barely able to walk straight for their masculinity [problems]. I was unable to make it past the first 30%.
The idea is interesting, which is why I round up instead of down, but I can't say more about this than that I was bored out of my hide. Sorry. I sort of did expect something different... (O.o ----> lee!)
I nearly fell asleep trying to read this. Twice. Once in the morning, once later in the day, so it really wasn't me and sleep deficit.
Given the outré topic I found this to be boring, meh and far, far too talkative. I didn't like how the wife got set up as a typical GFY-trope-ish "mean bitch", and I'm sort of really over "typical American males" barely able to walk straight for their masculinity [problems]. I was unable to make it past the first 30%.
The idea is interesting, which is why I round up instead of down, but I can't say more about this than that I was bored out of my hide. Sorry. I sort of did expect something different... (O.o ----> lee!)
August 22, 2016
Another great BR for the Fantastic Four !! Thanks to Karen, Josy and Sheziss
How to rate this book ? 3 stars for the first half and 5 stars for the 2nd part, so overall, it’s 4 stars.
As mentioned in the blurb, Cam and Austin are 2 very different men. Their life would never have mixed but for a mad man who abducted them along with 8 others men and kept them imprisoned, barely surviving, and tortured them. During that time, Cam and Austin, total opposite but forced to share the same cell, slowly learned about each other and to rely on each other for survival. Their release is brutal : they have to go back to their “normal” life. But how normal can that be when they are both forced to reassess their life in the light of the ordeal they went through ?
First, let me say it is not as dark as I feared it would be. Granted, there are scenes of violence and the months when Cam and Austin are in the hand of the “psycho” are not a walk in the park. But the focus of these times is more on how Cam and Austin managed it rather than on the gory details.
Alternating between the first months following their release and flashbacks, the past and the present are slowly revealed, making the reader understand the strong relationship building between Cam and Austin, bulldozing their life for the better
They’d been to hell and back together ; they’d waded through feelings and obstacles in the aftermath, never leaving the other’s side...
Tbh, I had a hard time to get immersed in this story. It was confusing for me at first because I couldn’t buy right away neither the bond nor the attraction between Cam and Austin and let’s not talk about how Austin’s wife was portrayed (that was unnecessary imo). And, let’s be blunt,
But once the ordeal they went through and their battle to regain control in the aftermath get more defined, it clicked for me and it’s not mere curiosity that kept me reading : I was completely immersed in Cam and Austin's story to get back the control of their lives and fight for what they wanted and needed : each other !!
Not to mention the first time that Austin and Cam decides to give in to their feelings : So hot and intense !!
Add to that the support from both their families, the cuteness of Riley, Austin’s daughter and the sweetness of the epilogue
All in all, despite a rocky start, I enjoyed this reading !!!
How to rate this book ? 3 stars for the first half and 5 stars for the 2nd part, so overall, it’s 4 stars.
As mentioned in the blurb, Cam and Austin are 2 very different men. Their life would never have mixed but for a mad man who abducted them along with 8 others men and kept them imprisoned, barely surviving, and tortured them. During that time, Cam and Austin, total opposite but forced to share the same cell, slowly learned about each other and to rely on each other for survival. Their release is brutal : they have to go back to their “normal” life. But how normal can that be when they are both forced to reassess their life in the light of the ordeal they went through ?
First, let me say it is not as dark as I feared it would be. Granted, there are scenes of violence and the months when Cam and Austin are in the hand of the “psycho” are not a walk in the park. But the focus of these times is more on how Cam and Austin managed it rather than on the gory details.
Alternating between the first months following their release and flashbacks, the past and the present are slowly revealed, making the reader understand the strong relationship building between Cam and Austin, bulldozing their life for the better
They’d been to hell and back together ; they’d waded through feelings and obstacles in the aftermath, never leaving the other’s side...
Tbh, I had a hard time to get immersed in this story. It was confusing for me at first because I couldn’t buy right away neither the bond nor the attraction between Cam and Austin and let’s not talk about how Austin’s wife was portrayed (that was unnecessary imo). And, let’s be blunt,
But once the ordeal they went through and their battle to regain control in the aftermath get more defined, it clicked for me and it’s not mere curiosity that kept me reading : I was completely immersed in Cam and Austin's story to get back the control of their lives and fight for what they wanted and needed : each other !!
Not to mention the first time that Austin and Cam decides to give in to their feelings : So hot and intense !!
Add to that the support from both their families, the cuteness of Riley, Austin’s daughter and the sweetness of the epilogue
All in all, despite a rocky start, I enjoyed this reading !!!
December 15, 2015
10 strangers. Imprisoned in a dark basement. 5 months of isolation and torture. Not all of them made it out alive.
Austin Huntley and Cameron Nash are broken men after their ordeal that left them with physical and mental scars. Being kidnapped right off the street and locked up in a cage together next to several other victims, fighting for their lives on a daily basis, brought them closer. Now that they're free again, they are having troubles catching up with their old lives.
Austin's marriage is strained, Cam's anxiety attacks are painful and dark memories hunt both men at night.
The bond that 5 months of isolation and pain developed between them is the only relief these guys find in their newfound freedom. A bond that soon turns into more than a friendship between two men with a shared history.
The constant flashbacks to the dark basement and the gruesome things that went on in there made this book very hard to read. The lives of Austin and Cam are constantly put to a stop when they remember something from these five dark months, allowing the reader to get a first hand impression of what these guys suffered through.
However, the second part of the book was pure romance heaven. Beside their emotional struggles that come naturally with that kind of thriller plot, these guys are realizing their feelings for each other and go through coming out struggles and set the basis for a patchwork rainbow family - which I actually did not expect at ALL from this book.
I am deeply impressed and I had a blast reading this. Especially Austin is a character that I immediately fell for. He's strong, yet vulnerable, and I can totally see why Cam felt drawn to the older Austin.
I will blissfully ignore the psychological details that felt slightly off at some points. Clearly 5 months spent in that kind of gruesome environment would not leave the victims able to deal with their everyday lives without contant counseling and supervision. The counseling lady (the one with lipstick on her teeth, LOL) didn't get many lines, so we have no idea how these guys are treated professionally. There actually didn't seem to be much success in healing their scars. Not to mention that Austin switched pretty quickly from heterosexual dad to passionate same-sex lover, but I'm not complaining. As I said, the story worked well enough for me to just overlook these details.
5 stars and on my list of favorites!
Austin Huntley and Cameron Nash are broken men after their ordeal that left them with physical and mental scars. Being kidnapped right off the street and locked up in a cage together next to several other victims, fighting for their lives on a daily basis, brought them closer. Now that they're free again, they are having troubles catching up with their old lives.
Austin's marriage is strained, Cam's anxiety attacks are painful and dark memories hunt both men at night.
The bond that 5 months of isolation and pain developed between them is the only relief these guys find in their newfound freedom. A bond that soon turns into more than a friendship between two men with a shared history.
The constant flashbacks to the dark basement and the gruesome things that went on in there made this book very hard to read. The lives of Austin and Cam are constantly put to a stop when they remember something from these five dark months, allowing the reader to get a first hand impression of what these guys suffered through.
However, the second part of the book was pure romance heaven. Beside their emotional struggles that come naturally with that kind of thriller plot, these guys are realizing their feelings for each other and go through coming out struggles and set the basis for a patchwork rainbow family - which I actually did not expect at ALL from this book.
I am deeply impressed and I had a blast reading this. Especially Austin is a character that I immediately fell for. He's strong, yet vulnerable, and I can totally see why Cam felt drawn to the older Austin.
I will blissfully ignore the psychological details that felt slightly off at some points. Clearly 5 months spent in that kind of gruesome environment would not leave the victims able to deal with their everyday lives without contant counseling and supervision. The counseling lady (the one with lipstick on her teeth, LOL) didn't get many lines, so we have no idea how these guys are treated professionally. There actually didn't seem to be much success in healing their scars. Not to mention that Austin switched pretty quickly from heterosexual dad to passionate same-sex lover, but I'm not complaining. As I said, the story worked well enough for me to just overlook these details.
5 stars and on my list of favorites!
December 28, 2016
Although I enjoyed this book a lot, it felt a little off. Too many flashbacks and I was expecting more from the love scenes. However, it's quite enjoyable and worth the read. Austin and Cam were good and cute together.
June 13, 2019
Re-read June 2019
I liked this slightly less this time around. Mostly because I noticed Cam saying things like 'I'm turning into a woman' whenever he started to think about having feelings. That was just... no.
-------------
This story starts with Austin and Cam trying to adjust to real life again. It's hard for them to deal with the aftermath of being abducted and tortured for 5 months.
They were abducted along with 8 other men and locked in a basement. Austin and Cam were put in a cell together. They didn't know each other before the kidnapping, but living under these circumstances for 5 months really created a bond.
Four words had become their motto: "Gun or no gun." Regardless of obstacles, they'd fight for their lives.
They went through hell together and found comfort in each other after their escape. Austin is struggling with his failing marriage and Cam with his anxiety. These men have such a strong bond together, it felt only natural it turned into something more.
I loved this one. Their abduction and the 5 months they were held captive is being told by flashbacks, but even though I'm not a big fan of flashbacks, this was beautifully done.
No real relationship angst in this. Cam and Austin were trying to overcome the trauma, but at least they had each other.
I liked this slightly less this time around. Mostly because I noticed Cam saying things like 'I'm turning into a woman' whenever he started to think about having feelings. That was just... no.
-------------
This story starts with Austin and Cam trying to adjust to real life again. It's hard for them to deal with the aftermath of being abducted and tortured for 5 months.
They were abducted along with 8 other men and locked in a basement. Austin and Cam were put in a cell together. They didn't know each other before the kidnapping, but living under these circumstances for 5 months really created a bond.
Four words had become their motto: "Gun or no gun." Regardless of obstacles, they'd fight for their lives.
They went through hell together and found comfort in each other after their escape. Austin is struggling with his failing marriage and Cam with his anxiety. These men have such a strong bond together, it felt only natural it turned into something more.
I loved this one. Their abduction and the 5 months they were held captive is being told by flashbacks, but even though I'm not a big fan of flashbacks, this was beautifully done.
No real relationship angst in this. Cam and Austin were trying to overcome the trauma, but at least they had each other.
May 27, 2020
I am not sure what to think about this book. What is it about?
Of course, it's about kidnapping and horrible time kidnapped men had to live through. It's about surviving long months in captivity and after. It's about re-thinking and abandoning the old ways and taking risks and getting what you want (each other in this case).
So, that was all cool. These were great components of the story. However it didn't feel complete to me. A huge, irreplaceable part of that story was missing - The Road to Recovery. I didn't feel it, I didn't see it, MCs didn't show it. Of course, we know the boys are on their way to recovery (never complete, understandable), because that's what we are told in the last chapter and the epilogue. They got what they wanted and they are happy now, even if still living with the aftermath of the nightmare they went through, and they are "better".
OK, if the author says so.
****
Now, what's with Asperger syndrome? Couldn't Cam just be shy? Easily. Anxiety attacks? Might happen to the best of us in tense situations. I am not downplaying the situation. I am wondering why the author chose to give it to Cam (and mention it every chance there was) and not Austin, who, judging by his behavior is also eligible for a tattoo that says "wired differently" (or whatever that saying was). Cam just comes off as a whiny kid. I can't figure out why Asperger Syndrome was crammed in this story. There was no reason for that.
All in all the story wasn't too bad and I really liked Austin.
3.5 stars
Of course, it's about kidnapping and horrible time kidnapped men had to live through. It's about surviving long months in captivity and after. It's about re-thinking and abandoning the old ways and taking risks and getting what you want (each other in this case).
So, that was all cool. These were great components of the story. However it didn't feel complete to me. A huge, irreplaceable part of that story was missing - The Road to Recovery. I didn't feel it, I didn't see it, MCs didn't show it. Of course, we know the boys are on their way to recovery (never complete, understandable), because that's what we are told in the last chapter and the epilogue. They got what they wanted and they are happy now, even if still living with the aftermath of the nightmare they went through, and they are "better".
OK, if the author says so.
****
Now, what's with Asperger syndrome? Couldn't Cam just be shy? Easily. Anxiety attacks? Might happen to the best of us in tense situations. I am not downplaying the situation. I am wondering why the author chose to give it to Cam (and mention it every chance there was) and not Austin, who, judging by his behavior is also eligible for a tattoo that says "wired differently" (or whatever that saying was). Cam just comes off as a whiny kid. I can't figure out why Asperger Syndrome was crammed in this story. There was no reason for that.
All in all the story wasn't too bad and I really liked Austin.
3.5 stars
October 1, 2013
This is a really good novel. 4.5 stars and
Flashbacks of 10 seemingly random men... kidnapped, and held captive in a basement for 5 months, no light, little food, appalling sanitary conditions, tortured, beaten.....
Present day sees two of the men Austin and Cam growing ever closer. Cam had issues himself before he was held in captivity, and now finds that only Austin seems to be able to understand and calm him down. They only had each other to rely upon in captivity, and bonds were forged between the two of them that now seem to be unbreakable.
Austin, well Austin is married to a complete bitch who has no sympathy whatsoever for what Austin has gone through...she just keeps telling him to leave it in the past, the only good thing to come out of his marriage to Jade
as far as I could see was his daughter Riley, whom he dotes upon. I'm not going any further into the story other than to say it was very well written, and I came to care a lot for the characters myself. A big shout out to John as well for making me move this up the queue.
November 19, 2014
Amazing! I love love loved this book! It’s told in the present tense with flashbacks to the past when Austin and Cam were held captive and abused for 5 months. It’s brutal and heartbreaking, but also beautiful as they realize they are drawn to each other as more than just friends. Austin is married and has a 10-year-old daughter. His wife keeps insisting that he forget the past and move on. (I was not a fan of her at all. She seemed so cold and heartless.) As a result, Austin begins to find comfort and support with his former cellmate Cam. Cam is a car mechanic with Asperger’s and suffers from panic attacks. They understand each other like no one else and their feelings continue to develop into something more.
I loved Austin and Cam together! They were perfect for each other. Austin knew how to calm Cam down when he was having a panic attack. And Cam knew how to help Austin work through the horrific flashbacks he was having. They were so good together. And the sex, holy crap that was hot!!! Highly recommend this book!!!
I loved Austin and Cam together! They were perfect for each other. Austin knew how to calm Cam down when he was having a panic attack. And Cam knew how to help Austin work through the horrific flashbacks he was having. They were so good together. And the sex, holy crap that was hot!!! Highly recommend this book!!!
October 16, 2024
I loved that this felt different to the current pickings in the kidnapped, messed up romances section. It follows characters who experienced a dark situation together and then full in love during the recovery process. It felt true and organic, genuine. There was no out of place sex scenes when people are broken and tortured, no weird blow jobs when they are fearing for their lives. Cam and Austin develop a strong emotional, nonsexual connection during their captivity which was nice to see. The kidnapping scenes all occur through flash blacks and the romance builds on page in current time. It felt truly believable how their relationship developed and the ending was lovely.
Also I found the depiction of ASD to feel very accurate without it feeling like a text book and also not feeling like a token cartoon-like ASD character. Same with the PTSD.
Nice subtle set up for book 2.
Also I found the depiction of ASD to feel very accurate without it feeling like a text book and also not feeling like a token cartoon-like ASD character. Same with the PTSD.
Nice subtle set up for book 2.
April 18, 2021
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was an alright read for me. I, like many of my GR friends mention in their reviews, struggled with the flashbacks which I normally do not have an issue with. What I think bothered me here is that the flashbacks seemed dominant in the story. I needed more of a balance or more scenes of the present to make the flow work for me. I also feel like things lined up a little too easily in the present to be believable. So overall, I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either...it was just okay.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Austin and Cam’s story. They are both kidnapped and held in the same cell and tortured by a madman. While they butted heads and didn’t like each other at first, they formed a bond while trying to survive their traumatic experience. They realize how strong that bond is when they are finally free and they are both going through PTSD and physical issues afterwards. Austin is trying to navigate his rocky marriage while feeling the need to be around Cam. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sweet moments, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Austin and Cam in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. This alternates between the present and flashbacks of their trauma. I never skimmed but I often struggled with the flow of the overall story.
Instalove: No, they become close through their traumatic experience
H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3.5 stars. Austin. I liked him and how he was with his daughter and Cam, but I didn’t like how he was with his ex (even though I hated the way she was).
H2 (Hero #2) rating: 3.5 stars. Cam. I liked him. He was an Aspie, which I really liked, but he was also gruff and damaged and hard to connect with.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Not really
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Not really, just mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Yes
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a cute HFN ending .
Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
Overall Opinion: This was an alright read for me. I, like many of my GR friends mention in their reviews, struggled with the flashbacks which I normally do not have an issue with. What I think bothered me here is that the flashbacks seemed dominant in the story. I needed more of a balance or more scenes of the present to make the flow work for me. I also feel like things lined up a little too easily in the present to be believable. So overall, I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either...it was just okay.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Austin and Cam’s story. They are both kidnapped and held in the same cell and tortured by a madman. While they butted heads and didn’t like each other at first, they formed a bond while trying to survive their traumatic experience. They realize how strong that bond is when they are finally free and they are both going through PTSD and physical issues afterwards. Austin is trying to navigate his rocky marriage while feeling the need to be around Cam. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sweet moments, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing on Austin and Cam in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Alright. This alternates between the present and flashbacks of their trauma. I never skimmed but I often struggled with the flow of the overall story.
Instalove: No, they become close through their traumatic experience
H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3.5 stars. Austin. I liked him and how he was with his daughter and Cam, but I didn’t like how he was with his ex (even though I hated the way she was).
H2 (Hero #2) rating: 3.5 stars. Cam. I liked him. He was an Aspie, which I really liked, but he was also gruff and damaged and hard to connect with.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Not really
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Not really, just mild jealousy
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Yes
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a cute HFN ending .
Safety: This one is probably Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences
September 18, 2013
"To hell and back with you"
This book is awesome, I love, love and love it!!
It starts like…
And then…
The ending is…
This book is awesome, I love, love and love it!!
It starts like…
And then…
The ending is…
September 23, 2013
AUTHOR'S BLURB:
"Austin Huntley and Cameron Nash are like night and day. One is a family man, works in a nice office, drives an expensive car, and is content to be content. The other one is an antisocial car mechanic with a short fuse.
Some things don’t change. Others definitely do.
After surviving a five-months long kidnapping together, they struggle to return to normalcy, all while realizing that they're more drawn to each other than they ever could've imagined.
"I know I'm not normal, but I'm not fucking stupid."
"Define normal," Austin countered quietly, meeting Cam in the doorway. "And for not being normal, you're the only person in the world who makes sense right now. What does that say about me?"
Warning: This story contains violence and scenes of an explicit, erotic nature between two men and is intended for adults, 18+.
Word count: 60 000 (novel)"
I have to say, I was expecting a dark read. It wasn't really dark. There was definitely some violence during their captivity but I never really connected with it. That part of the story just didn't quite do anything for me. On the other hand the love story that arose between Austin and Cam was sweet and hot. The sex scenes sizzled and both characters were well-rounded. All in all, if you are looking for a sweet love story with hot sex and a little bit of dark, you'll enjoy this read.
"Austin Huntley and Cameron Nash are like night and day. One is a family man, works in a nice office, drives an expensive car, and is content to be content. The other one is an antisocial car mechanic with a short fuse.
Some things don’t change. Others definitely do.
After surviving a five-months long kidnapping together, they struggle to return to normalcy, all while realizing that they're more drawn to each other than they ever could've imagined.
"I know I'm not normal, but I'm not fucking stupid."
"Define normal," Austin countered quietly, meeting Cam in the doorway. "And for not being normal, you're the only person in the world who makes sense right now. What does that say about me?"
Warning: This story contains violence and scenes of an explicit, erotic nature between two men and is intended for adults, 18+.
Word count: 60 000 (novel)"
I have to say, I was expecting a dark read. It wasn't really dark. There was definitely some violence during their captivity but I never really connected with it. That part of the story just didn't quite do anything for me. On the other hand the love story that arose between Austin and Cam was sweet and hot. The sex scenes sizzled and both characters were well-rounded. All in all, if you are looking for a sweet love story with hot sex and a little bit of dark, you'll enjoy this read.
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