Shattered Pieces

I liked this one the best out of all in this series as there's nothing sweeter than someone getting a second chance at love.<br /><br />However, I think there was a touch too much introspection on Gage's part as he repeatedly weighed up whether he could love Beck because of Johnny.<br /><br />I mean I totally get that you don't ever get over the death of a loved one and the particular circumstances here were heart breaking tragic, but still it was heading slightly into masochistic tendencies the amount of times he mentally beat himself up over every piece of enjoyment.<br /><br />Beck was awesome though, I completely loved him. Unabashed about his love of make up, lace underwear and heels, he had an irrepressible spirit and just oozed joy.<br /><br />He did provide the perfect foil for Gage and helped him move back into the world of the truly living and I do like this setting with its close knit bunch of friends.<br /><br />#ARC provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

I had only read the first book of this series, which was good, but this book was even better! It’s a very touching hurt/comfort story, told in 1st person with alternating POV’s. 1st person can often put me off of a story but it was a smooth narrative and kept me engaged with the characters. Gage is still mourning 10 years after losing his young boyfriend and carries a lot of guilt. I often have trouble with that concept, a young man closing himself off for long periods of time, but the context here made it easier for me to accept.<br /><br />I enjoyed Beck's character being someone who enjoys “feminine” expression as part of who he is. That also appeals to some fetishes of Gage’s and makes for very hot scenes! The sex happened quickly but relationship development was at a measured pace, and that slower evolution supported both men also making positive life changes for themselves. Drama is minimal with only a brief period of emotional self-protection, and the maturity factor is refreshing. I did think Gage’s mental monologues were a little repetitive at times. I also don’t care for dream imagery with the deceased, but that’s just me. <br /><br />I really want to go back and read the two books I missed in this series. There’s some good writing here, with sensitive themes that aren’t turned into gratuitous melodrama. I would recommend this book gladly! <br /><br />*An ARC was provided by the author or publisher via Jessie G Books Reviews in return for a fair and honest review*

3.5 Stars<br /><br />K.M. Neuhold does such a great job with Hurt / Comfort stories. There's angst but it's not a lot and it's not overwhelming...it just ribbons through to really make the story pop.<br /><br />I was really interested in reading Gage's story because of the glimpses from Adam's story and wanted to see how Neuhold would put the pieces together because Gage is such a broken guy, and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the fact that Beck found himself and also helped Gage find himself again.<br /><br /><i>Shattered Pieces</i> has a great dual POV, middling to light level angst, interesting characters, and a sweet HFN/HEA.<br /><br />This series has been a pleasure to read, and I was happy to find out it's going to continue, next up: Clay's story (and it will have rope bondage!! ???)

Senza parole. Il titolo è un esatto sunto del libro. Mai pianto così tanto.

2.5 stars <br /><b>*ARC reviewer grimaces*</b><br /><br />Um...Ok. After four days of not wanting to write this review I'm just gonna rip the band-aid right off. I just could not get into this one. And it wasn't the story, it was the writing style. <br /><br />I thought there was way too many cliches and flowery paragraphs that had me rolling my eyes. I also thought the first-person POV was a little clunky and there was a lot of awkward transitions and confused tenses. Honestly, this book felt a little rushed. <br /><br />One thing I will say is that Beck was a wonderful character and saved this from being a 2 star book. He was a bright and shining light even though he was working through his own grief and he was a good match for Gage. <b> <blockquote>“Two years?” He gasps. “Oh my god. This is a medical emergency. I’m going to have to perform mouth-to-cock resuscitation stat. Don’t worry, I’m a trained professional.”</blockquote> </b><br />He was smart and funny and I can forgive him for possibly sharing stuff that was lawyer-client privilege with Gage because it was off-page. And the manties? Oh, yeah...the manties. So. Damn. Hot.<br /><br />Unfortunately I think this is where I leave this series. You can't like them all. *shrugs*<br /><br />(ARC received for honest review)

Beck and is light is worth reading this romance for. He is funny and charming and his grief is explored in interesting ways.<br /><br />I can't say I like Gage as much. I think the problem is in the writing and also in needing to develop him beyond this one event. I am not sure I ever buy that the cause of all his behavior is Jonny's death.<br /><br />So, I like where where this books gets but a bit too much walking over the say road for me.

<b> **** This is a tremendous, important and gripping story ! <br>A warm fuzziness began in me as I read the first part of this amazing book, because I knew I was going to experience something special. Pink haired Gabe, tattoo artist at Heathens Ink, lost partner Johnny nine years ago. <br>Femme man, Beck, teaches Dance to kids and performs, <br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1538335240i/26377927.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>he lost his twin sister a year ago. <br>He's a sassy and fun gay man who likes to wear make-up, lace undies, stockings, and heels, unless he's working at his regular job as a lawyer, then they are hidden.<br>Beck goes to Gage for a tattoo, and their fun begins. Gage has been numb, but Beck brings out his emotions and his zest for a better life. <br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1538335240i/26377928.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br> <br>I loved these tender guys as each struggles with inner thoughts and deep feelings, plus the hot, wild and kinky sexiness they find together. Oh, la, la !<br><br>It's a beautiful trip and a fun ride, to see Gage regain his internal light again.<br> <br>The ending is meaningful and heartfelt. You'll like Beck and Gage as individuals and as a couple.<br><br>Highly recommended. ENJOY ! <br><br>=====</b>

You know what would be awesome? If this author stopped sabotaging her own books with stupid "jokes" about rape. There was not one, not two, but THREE rape "jokes" in this book - all of them unnecessary and all of them serving to make me dislike the characters the author has tried to hard to bond me with.<br /><br />If I scrub those moments from my brain, this was a lovely story about healing and finding new hope and new love, and really being comfortable in your own skin.

The only reason I got this far in this series was because of Johnny’s story, and I wanted to see how Gage would cope. <br /><br />Andddd....i absolutely hated this book, and I feel bad because it’s about coping with losing someone unexpectedly (Brianna in Beck’s case and Johnny). <br /><br />This is where I part ways with the series.

<blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1511033464i/24478261.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"></blockquote> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1511039849i/24478732._SX540_.png" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </blockquote> </blockquote> Finally! I kind of want to chant hallelujah here, so indulge me. Not only do we get Gage's story, but my hallelujah moment was when I realised that this book don't rehash all the previous ones. There's only a very short overlap and one which doesn't make the story to feel repetitive.<br><blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1454261799ra/17937451.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote><br>So I got that out of my system, this has really bugged me while reading the past couple of books. I mean some overlap is ok, but repeating most of the storyline in book after book, that's not for me.<br><br>The title of the book; <i>Shattered Pieces</i> truly describes both Gage and Beck. In their own way they are both shattered. They've both lost the one person closest to them, the one they thought would be there with them for the rest of their lives. Lives lost too soon and without warning. It has left them floundering, lost, trying to find the light, find and feel some happiness in their lives again. <blockquote> <blockquote> <blockquote> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1511033464i/24478262.jpg" height="295" width="345" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> This kind of loss and grief has it's own time table and this book really shows how differently people grieve. How utterly devastating loosing someone can be. But more importantly it also shows that, as how clichéd it might sound, there is light at the end of the tunnel - if you want there to be. You can be happy again, if you allow yourself to be. Moving on doesn't mean you have to forget about the past or love any less. <br><br>We've all watched Gage hurt for a long time. We've waited for his happily ever after. For him to face his past with Johnny and smile again. To connect with the world. And who better to get him to connect than Beck. A vibrant, flamboyant, lace wearing dancer, with a new mission in his life. To find a new hobby for Gage that he actually enjoys.<br><blockquote> <blockquote> <img alt="Quote…" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1496553021i/22925961.png" height="22" width="22" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><i>if I can put his broken heart back together, then there might be hope for mine as well. </i> </blockquote> </blockquote><br><br>The two of them together are beautiful. They complete each other. They help each other heal. To move on, to live. But more importantly to love. <br><br><blockquote> <blockquote> <img alt="Quote…" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1496553021i/22925961.png" height="22" width="22" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> <i>he's the picture on the puzzle box that shows me how my pieces are supposed to fit together.</i> <br> <br> <blockquote> <blockquote> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1511033464i/24478263.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote> </blockquote>