Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Seth Fisher has been to hell and back, but he has no intention of letting the torment of his past destroy his future. He thinks he's doing good. He's working again, talking, laughing, living. But everyone else still sees him as broken.

Except for one man. Raymond Vargas.

If only Seth could leave his apartment alone without a panic attack, then he could prove to everyone he's going to be okay. And he could tell the one man who has never let him down that he wants him.

Raymond Vargas has spent the past two years trying to make up for what happened to six young men who were tortured at the hands of a member of his club. He'd do anything to keep them safe, to help them heal and move on, to help them forget they ever set foot inside the Haven.

If only he hadn't fallen in love with one of them.

If only Seth wasn't still in danger.

Book Review

“PTSD is not what's wrong with you; it's what happened to you.” ~ unknown

Raymond Vargas, of 'How to Heal a Life' by Sloan Parker, thinks he doesn't need anyone in his life. He's successful and satisfied with his life until tragedy strikes six members of his supposedly safe club. Vargas feels guilty for the young men targeted and does whatever he can to help them heal. Seth suffers the most from his experience and needs more attention than the others. What started out as an attempt to help Seth rebuild his shattered life, becomes so much more.

In an effort to help Seth, Vargas acquires as much information as possible about sexual abuse in order to help him; Vargas doesn't want to do anything that will impede Seth's progress. Soon, Vargas learns that recovery isn't that easy. Seth's progress isn't going to be constant; what works one day may not the next. Since Seth suffers from PTSD, at any given moment, even the smallest trigger may hurl him back into the misery and pain of the past. Seth's therapist helps him rebuild his sanity and self-esteem, but ultimately, Seth's recovery is up to him. Through it all, Vargas is there to offer emotional and physical support. Vargas holds in his ever-growing desire for Seth.

Although the felon is in jail, Seth lives with the constant fear of him escaping because Seth knows that the first thing the monster will do is come after him. It's difficult to move on with his life constantly looking over his shoulder. Seth resents it when anyone else tries to help him, but when Vargas does it, it's okay. As part of his recovery, Seth moves in with Vargas. It's the first time Seth has been back to the club since his traumatic experience. He has varied degrees of success in dealing with it.

Being so committed to his care, falling in love with Seth is inevitable. Vargas is reluctant to let Seth know how he feels for several reasons. Vargas has convinced himself that he doesn't need anyone. Vargas can't accept that Seth could love him. He doesn't want to rob Seth of the experiences he may have with someone closer to his age. It's hard for Vargas to imagine Seth loving him for himself, not out of some sense of gratitude. Just as Seth is beginning to make real progress, events take a dark turn; all the progress Seth has made threatens to dissolve in a second.

This is a powerful story full of angst, action, and intrigue along with a message of hope. Sloan has created intense, dynamic characters whose courage and tenacity are remarkable considering what they are attempting to overcome. Sloan has done an outstanding job of presenting PTSD and raising awareness of how devastating the condition can be. Thanks, Sloan, for another riveting tale about The Haven and other characters from the 'More' world. I will be looking forward to have other opportunities to meet with the characters to whom  I have become attached.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 401 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	18-October-2017
Price	$5.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/How-Heal-Life-Haven-Book-ebook/dp/B076L2DNWJ