Eight years after his rescue, Caleb is still struggling with PTSD and self-harm. John has always been his rock, but now Caleb wants more. Can he convince John to cross a line and love him the way they both crave? And when the monsters from Caleb’s past come back seeking to silence him for good, will John’s love be enough to save him?
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| averaged rating! |
Adam - 4.5 Hearts
Every once in a while I come across a pair of characters that I just know I’m going to be thinking about for a while. Caleb and John are now in that category.
Their love story is a fragile yet hopeful one.These two men go through tragedy and one hurdle after another.
And yet there is never any doubt that John and Caleb are absolutely committed to each other, no matter what happens.
Caleb and John are already in love when the book starts, the years of friendship having progressed to more at some random point. I’m not usually a fan of this setup, as it often means that readers don’t really see the relationship development.
But that definitely wasn’t the case here! Between the flashbacks and the two men taking things step by step, I never felt that I missed any part of their romance.
My heart hurt for Caleb. What he goes through as a boy is shattering, but his inner strength was undeniable. The book pulls no punches. Caleb’s recovery and setbacks are an on-going process. But he does get better, and a big part of that is John.
I loved how absolutely devoted John was, both as a friend and then as a lover. Regardless of what was going on, Caleb always came first. And Caleb reciprocates that, in his own way.
The two have an unwavering bond that bends and morphs, but never breaks. I think that’s what stood out the most for me - just how constant their love for each other was, no matter what form it took throughout the years.
Family also plays a major role in Caleb and John’s relationship. John’s big clan and Caleb’s father are just as much a part of the story as the two main characters. As someone who comes from a very tight-knit family myself, I quite liked the dynamic!
That being said, this isn’t an easy romance, despite the support of family and the love the two men have for each other. It’s acknowledged that there’s no magic solution for Caleb and the psychological scars from what he went through.
However, there is a happy ever after for John and Caleb, and a brilliant one at that! It takes a lot of work, and a reckoning with the past, but they get all the sunshine and joy that they so deserve!
If you’re looking for an angst-heavy yet brilliant love story, I’d highly recommend ‘The Parable of the Mustard Seed’!
R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Hearts
Angsty but not torturously so, Henry delivers a heartfelt and hard won love story.
As per the blurb, John and Caleb meet under the worst of circumstances, and though it's been many years later, their connection is stronger than ever. There’s definitely been slow healing with plenty of setbacks, all of which have shaped these two into who they are today. John has always been a solid force, often showing unconditional support for Caleb and his dad Darren, through the many ups and downs they’ve faced together.
However over time, John’s initial concern for the once teenage Caleb has slowly morphed into so much more. It comes as no surprise that his caring feelings have evolved, but John knows he must keep them close to the vest, mainly because he doesn’t think he’s good enough for Caleb but also, should things not work out, the possible repercussions could be devastating.
What John doesn’t know is that despite Caleb’s many many issues, his traumatic past has obviously and inevitably shaped who Caleb feels most safe with and that person of course, is John. Caleb (though we don’t get his point of view) knows he’s forever altered because of the appalling circumstances he was subjected to for over a decade, but that doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t try to make his life something more than fear and nightmares. He wants a chance to move on, he wants John, and he makes himself perfectly clear on such.
This was a thoughtful and what I assume, realistic look at PTSD and anxiety, where there is no easy fix and definitely, no easy answers. At times both frustrating and heartbreaking, beware triggers for religious oppression, physical and emotional abuse, awful parents being unforgivably evil, and murder. It’s understandable that Caleb is scarred, and while he’s made many strides in overcoming brutal conditioning, sometimes even the smallest obstacles can have huge consequences and stall progress, but not all is lost.
More importantly, despite the overwhelming worry and doubts, one has to take a leap of faith. There's a fine line between wanting to shield and protect and also allowing one to attempt some progress despite the possibility of failure. This was emotional but never unnecessarily overdramatic. There are brief flashbacks consistently scattered throughout showing the past and the evolution of John and Caleb, doling out what has transpired over time. Intermix that with the present and the fallout when Caleb’s tormentors are released from prison, and this becomes more than just a romance. There's good guys to root for and bad guys to get their deserved punishment, and Henry delivers.
Overall though, this is a journey about two men who love each other desperately and at long last, bravely try to make it work. Henry accomplishes a difficult win that’s as tenuous as it is strong and leaves the reader with confidence that John and Caleb will undoubtedly triumph. Whatever challenges they‘ll for sure face, they'll do it together with the support of their friends and family. Again, this was touching and intimate and just very sweet in and amongst the maelstrom of apt turmoil. Highly recommended!
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