Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Caleb McDonnell lives his life online. A thirty-year-old fast food worker, he spends his time talking in an Internet world where his job and living conditions can't dictate his friendships. He's found acceptance, friendship, and even romance. But when an online friend is revealed as a fake, Caleb loses all sense of trust. To stave off the emotional collapse of his betrayal, Caleb leaves his online life behind and retreats into the monotony of his job.

Nicodemus Rokos feels like his heart has been torn out. He knew Caleb would be hurt, but he'd hoped not to be shut out of his boyfriend's life. He can only hope Caleb still feels something when he shows up in person to reclaim what he's lost.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Daily Dose package "Mended".

 

Book Review

Deception is always despicable, but if you are like Caleb, of 'Byte of Betrayal' by Ashavan Doyon, who has to rebuild his life with no one's help, it's devastating. His real life might suck, but Caleb feels like he has two friends online whom he can trust and, considering his background of abuse and rejection, it's a really big deal. The last thing he needs is for one of his friendships, his confidant, to end up being a complete fabrication; especially when his other friend, Nic, is the one to uncover the ruse. Although it's a typical reaction to want to kill the messenger, it's no wonder Caleb feels betrayed and loses the self-confidence he works so hard to nurture.

Nic feels awful when Caleb cuts him entirely out of his life and wants to rush to his side and try to repair this alienation, It's not as if he can just hop in his car and be there in a few minutes; he lives a thousand miles away. Nic is very worried about Caleb; even though he knows he had to tell him the truth, he feels sad that he's the one who burst his bubble of security.  Nic loves Caleb and couldn't let him continue to be tricked, pouring his heart out to someone who didn't even exist. Nic anguishes over what to do about Caleb whom he loves and who he feels returns his feelings. He longs to tell him, but doesn't know how to close the gap. Finally his best friend and housemate, sick of seeing him pinning away, convinces him to go see Caleb in person, even buying him a ticket. What Nic finds breaks his heart. Caleb is a total mess, barely existing. Now it's a matter of how to get Caleb back on his feet and convince him that Nic loves him and wants him in his life.

Even though this is a story full of angst, it's also a story of hope. This was a bittersweet story for me. Caleb was so fragile that he broke when betrayed, but when Nic rode in on his white horse, Caleb felt hope because Nic helped him believe he was worth loving. Truth hurts sometimes, but the devastation that dishonesty causes is a far greater pain. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a story with a rougher edge, one that stirs deep emotions, yet still has a good outcome. Thanks, Ashavan, for reminding us that honesty is the best policy.

 

 

 

 

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, 73 pages/16946 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-June-2014
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/the-byte-of-betrayal-by-ashavan-doyon-1860-b