Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Six months after Kit lost his big brother to a drunk driver, he's alone and feeling like everyone has left him behind. He struggles to get out of bed, to feed himself, to talk to his parents. Worst of all, the man he loves, his brother's best friend, hasn't spoken to him since the funeral.

Tattoo artist Jason always planned to wait until Kit was a bit more experienced and mature before he told Kit how he felt about him. But Bear’s death changes everything, and Jason opts to give Kit space to heal.

However, the next time they meet, Jason is startled at how far Kit has deteriorated, so he takes him home. Simply taking care of Kit isn’t enough. Marking Kit with the tattoo he demands opens a window, but Jason still isn’t getting through, until he begins ordering Kit around and sees how receptive Kit is to his strong hand.

1st Edition published September 12, 2012 by Silver Publishing

Book Review

Death isn't easy. It isn't meant to be easy. But when you're the one left behind, it can, and often does, shatter your world and everything you've ever trusted and believed in. 'Marked by Grief' is the story of Kit who lost his older brother and best friend, Bear, in a drunk driver accident six months ago. It's also the story of Jason, Bear's best friend, and the man Kit has been in love with for the past six years. This is a story of loss, grief, and finding your way back.

Kit isn't dealing with his grief very well. Or at all. Bear was going somewhere with his life, he'd always been the guy everyone loved, he was smart, and funny, and in a single moment, Bear pushed Kit out of the way of the truck that swerved at them and killed Bear. Kit feels as if the wrong brother died and his guilt is eating him up inside. Add this to the fact that the driver was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison, but managed to kill himself before serving time and Kit is at the end of his rope. He goes to Jason's tattoo shop to give him the news about the driver's suicide, and ends up getting a tattoo to honor his brother. It also gives him and Jason a chance to talk and Jason an opportunity to apologize for not being there for Kit these past months.

When Jason first sees Kit, he can't believe how much weight Kit has lost since the funeral. Kit is skin and bones and Jason realizes how much him abandoning Kit has hurt him, too. Jason isn't very happy when he discovers that Kit's parents have basically abandoned him also, leaving Kit in his room for days or weeks at a time without checking on him. Jason decides it's up to him to take care of Kit and help him get back to where he needs to be. Jason has a lot of experience being dominant and, luckily for him, it looks as though Kit is a great submissive. But is it all just fun and games, or can there be more? Kit wants more, but Jason has never had long-term.

Overall, this was a good story. I had difficulty relating to the characters and I really had trouble seeing them together. Kit is so inexperienced and vulnerable, while Jason most definitely isn't. It was very much a story about a slightly older guy taking charge and, if you like that, then this might be for you.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 116 pages/33493 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	30-April-2014
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/marked-by-grief-by-caitlin-ricci-1593-b