Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Most people fear the dark. Some embrace it. Blackened windows, a 400-square feet self-made prison, and a loyal Welsh corgi—that’s the extent of former soldier Matthew Ash’s world. Matt’s tasted hell’s battlefield. He wears the scars on his skin and soul to prove it. Matt’s agoraphobia keeps his demons out and that’s all that matters.

Burnt-out MMA fighter Will Grove is having the worst year of his life. His boyfriend just broke up with him and he lost the fight of the decade. Will moves into a new town, seeking a fresh start. Everyone tells him to watch out for the crazy recluse, but Will makes his own rules. One glimpse is all Will needs to recognize a man whose mind is fucked-up as his own.

Matt’s certain Will’s going to run. Will’s out to prove this is one fight he’s not going to lose.

First edition published by Omnilit / All Romance eBooks, July 2016.

Book Review

Fear can take many different forms, and the two main characters in ‘Conquer’ each have to confront their own demons before they can be together and lead a halfway normal life. Matt faces agoraphobia of a crippling level after returning from Afghanistan, and Will needs to confront the fear of life in disgrace after losing a major fight. Both men tell the story in alternating segments, and it was fascinating to see what bothered each of them, how they tried to deal with their own situation, and how they were able to help each other. Their fears were shown in a very realistic fashion, and had me rooting for both of them to be successful – as painful as the road to get there turned out to be.

Matt is a former soldier, and events while deployed have scarred him so badly that he is not able to leave his apartment. He lives in total isolation, except for grocery deliveries once a week, and the only thing that keeps him sane is a strict routine and no contact with anyone. Just the thought of going outside initiates flashbacks and panic attacks, and I felt for him. Therapy seems useless, but when his new neighbor starts to intrude in his life, Matt begins to want things he’d previously thought impossible. His fight to come back to something approaching normal was heart-wrenching.

Will has his own set of problems. He is a burnt-out MMA fighter who not only lost “the fight of the century”, but was abandoned by his idiot, cheating boyfriend who is only interested in winners. He has no idea what to do with the rest of his life, but going back into the ring is not on his list. Until he is offered a rematch… and everything changes. He is intrigued by his next-door neighbor and decides to help Matt face the world whether he wants to or not – and instead ends up receiving as much support for his own issues as he ends up giving to Matt.

If you like stories about two wounded men helping each other deal with life, if realistic situations of dealing with fear and the strength of character it takes to get over it are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is as moving as it is hot, then you will probably like this novella.

 

 

 

 

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	Novella, 78 pages/25000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	10-August-2017
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.evernightpublishing.com/conquer-by-angelique-voisen/