Book Reviews

Trust by Sarah Masters at Pride Publishing

Genre Gay / Contemporary / Romance
Reviewed by Lena Grey on 14-September-2015

Book Blurb

Sometimes, trusting your instincts leads to happiness and love.

After coming out, life took a turn for the worse. I knew people would view me differently, of course I did, but… See, here’s the thing. How does a person cope when a few of their work colleagues play such a cruel trick that it leaves them wondering if they’ll ever trust anyone again? It happened to me, and trusting isn’t something I do easily now.

Until James came along. He’s a work colleague too, but my issue is, I keep thinking he’s playing another trick. You know, reeling me in, making me think he’s a good bloke.

He’s asked me to go out with him, and, although I should maybe get to know him a bit better first, I’ve said I’ll go. I need to get back out there, live a little. And if I get hurt? Well, I’ll just have to deal with it. Again.

But maybe he won’t hurt me. Break my heart and all that. Please God.

 

Book Review

"You can show trust by believing in others when other people have abandoned them." Byron Pulsifer, Major Human Capacities

Trev knows he is taking a chance when he comes out at work. He realizes there will be some haters; but he never imagined how many; how viciously they attack him, with name-calling, crude jokes, and pranks. Trev is brokenhearted when his coworkers, some of whom he had called friends, all turn against him except one; his friend Nancy. How could Trev ever believe if someone was sincere or not?

The cruelty Trev receives wounds him down to his soul. He goes from a friendly, outgoing person, trying to live an honest life, to a growly, cynical one; wary of everybody.  Trev isolates himself, won't go anywhere with anyone from the office; preferring to eat alone rather than endure more torment. He is fragile, unhappy, and lonely, fearing he will spend the rest of his life by himself. When he all but gives up, not knowing which direction to turn, a colleague named James starts a conversation with him during their lunch hour. Trev is cautious, afraid to be taken in again and ending up devastated; but there's something about James that makes him want to try. James turns out to be Trev's knight in shining armor, helping Trev maneuver around in his circumstances at work; generally feeling better about himself, regardless of what others think. What James says makes sense, but Trev isn't completely convinced until James finds a way to show him all is not lost; that there is strength in numbers, even if, as in this case, the numbers are small.

After being hurt, one is naturally wary of taking a chance on being in pain again. Trusting can be scary, but it is absolutely essential for our happiness. Sarah does a marvelous job of portraying Trev's emotions in this short, but emotion-filled story. I cried for Trev because of the unfairness of the entire situation and wanted to knock quite a few heads together for being so ignorant. Yet, if Trev had not been put in this awful situation, he would never have met James. That, in itself, would have been an even greater travesty. If you enjoy love stories with angst, relearning trust, and reassurance, then you may like this one. Thank you, Sarah, for reminding us that we need to listen to ourselves first; follow our own feelings, rather than worrying about how other people think.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format ebook
Length Short Story, 40 pages/10556 words
Heat Level
Publication Date 08-September-2015
Price $2.50 ebook
Buy Link https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/trust