“There are some secrets so toxic you can’t share. Especially if you love who it is you’d have to share with.” ― Joyce Carol Oates
Author: T.T. Kove
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Pages/Word Count: 55,000
Rating: 4 Stars
Blurb: Damian’s world is irrevocably altered the night his aunt and uncle are brought into his A&E, victims of a terrible car accident. Grief-stricken and lost, with nowhere else to turn, he calls Josh—the man he loves, and who left him.
Meanwhile Matt does not know how to live in a world where his parents aren’t, especially when the rest of his family seems capable of handling it while he wants only to hide from the world. His only solace is Adam, whom he wishes was so much more than the man he occasionally has sex with—and who apparently has been keeping a secret that ruins the only comfort Matt had left.
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Review: This book starts out on New Year’s Eve. Damian is working at A&E, Matt is at a party, and neither of them know that their life is about to change in ways they never saw coming. When Damian’s Aunt and Uncle, Matt’s parents, show up in A&E, Damian’s world tilts off its axis.
On the night Damian lost his entire family to a tragedy, his Aunt and Uncle took him in and showed him love and support that he never knew before. Now, years later, he is in the position to do the same thing for Matt and his sister Mathilda. Mathilda seems to be adjusting quickly and mourning in a healthy way, as opposed to Matt, who is slowly losing his mind.
Losing his Aunt and Uncle takes Damian back in time to the loss he suffered years before, and makes him realize that he has a chance to do for Matt and Mathilda what was done for him years ago.
Matt falls into a deep depression, until he meets a one night stand who just may end up being the love of his life. Matt is happier than he feels should be possible, until his lover reveals a secret he has been keeping that could send Matt running as fast and far as possible.
This was a story of love, family and healing. One thing I loved, that the author made very clear, is that everyone heals at their own pace, everyone mourns in their own way, and love can come in the most unexpected ways.
When I read the blurb for this book I was a tad confused, but I took a chance and I am so glad I did. I loved the characters and the genuine emotions they all went through. I would love to see another book in this universe and check in on Matt and Damian. I would highly recommend taking a chance on this book. I will be reading more by T.T. Kove in the very near future.