Book Reviews

Book Blurb

When the brother he idolized is killed in action in Afghanistan, Kyle Barrett is rocked to his core. With his only confidant gone, Kyle struggles to deal with the loss, while fighting to keep his hidden sexuality a secret from his parents. If only he didn’t have to face them alone.

Army veteran, Ryder Bishop has returned from his final tour in Iraq, when severe PTSD forces him to seek help through a new counseling program back home in Texas. Just when Ryder thinks he’s reached the end of his rope, he meets Kyle, and their lives take a remarkable turn.

Can the grieving brother and damaged soldier find the peace they so desperately need? Or will they become statistics when the aftermath of war hits too close to home?

They might have shipped the soldier home, but his demons have come with him.

Be Warned: m/m sex, rimming, food play

 

Book Review

I am usually drawn to stories that involve either active or inactive military men and particularly ones who are dealing with our current efforts overseas. I am a huge supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project and will always fight for our military personnel. The description for this book interested me and I couldn't wait to jump in and meet Kyle and Ryder. The author is new to me so I was also intrigued to read a new perspective.

Kyle broke my heart. I couldn't even begin to imagine how I would have felt if that was my older brother who died fighting for his country. I mean, you're supposed to be proud that he defended his country, and you are, but you're also devastated and want to know "why him"? Kyle and Wade were so close and Kyle worshipped his older brother. I could relate to his anger, pain, sorrow and grief. The fact that his relationship with his parents was shaky, at best, before his brother died, isn't helping Kyle's loneliness. It was easy to fall for Kyle.

Ryder has spent eight months trying to deal with what he witnessed in Iraq. His physical injuries are doing well but it's the PTSD that he is struggling with. After going round and round with the VA hospital he finally gets the referral he needs for a therapist even though in his heart of hearts Ryder thinks it's all a waste of time. He doesn't want to go home to where his family is, doesn't want to be a burden. Ryder needs space to breathe, to come to terms with his head. I fell for Ryder immediately.

On the night of Wade's funeral, Kyle, escaping the house, goes to the basketball court and meets Ryder for the first time. They play some one on one and each leave knowing they'd like to get to know each other better. Meeting up, accidentally, at the community center puts them back into each other's sphere which inevitably leads to them discovering how the military has impacted both their lives. The fact that Kyle has no experience with sex brings the situation a lot closer to reality. Or, it did for me. The author's descriptive and well written prose reminded me of what it felt like to be intimate for the first time and how scary parts of it were.

This story far exceeded my expectations. It is beautifully written and deals with the horrors of war, the innocence of first love, the struggle to stay sane when your mind won't stop remembering, and the beauty of healing. I loved it. The author did an amazing job of looking at the devastation PTSD can, and does, cause. I will read more from this author because she has completely captured my attention and I want to explore her stories again and again.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Evernight Publishing for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 64870 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	25-July-2013
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.evernightpublishing.com/aftermath-guts-and-glory-by-tyler-robbins/