Review
REVIEW: Love Bytes Reviews
Ok first and foremost, TRIGGERS, TRIGGERS, TRIGGERS. This book deals with PTSD, survivor's guilt, conversion therapy, abuse, beatings and so much more. The book has some very dark points, so please be aware.
As much as there are bad point that cause the triggers that I mentioned, this book is pretty much taken over as my favorite. Although, the rest fall in a close second lol. If you have read these in order, which I STRONGLY recommend you do, then you will know in Grady's story, he has a brother that has been shipped to conversion therapy. And Shadow made a promise to find him. Time after time, Shadow has went to different places on a tip that Randy was there, only to find he had been moved or was never there. Shadow and the rest of the Sentinels had no idea what they were really up against, until Shadow finally found Randy at this latest place, and when rescued, Randy informed Shadow that Bowen had more of a reason to come after him than escaping. After grueling days of recovery time of antibiotics and treatments, Randy was on the mend and the rest of the Sentinels and Chief Police Dave were brought in to get to the bottom of what Randy's story really was and what was going on. And what they heard shocked them to their cores. And Randy was right. Everyone associated with this Bowen character were going nuts with what was going on and Shadow would do everything in his power to never have Randy failed again. Even if it meant losing his own life, Shadow would protect precious Randy with everything. Because after 20 years, Shadow found a reason to breathe again.
I will warn you now, this is a tough story in spots. It will make you cry in pain or rage in anger at the pasts of both Randy and Shadow. Although they're pasts are different, pain is still pain and it never goes away. Yes, most times it lessens as days go on, but it never truly goes away. Reading both of their stories, the range of emotions I had were just...everywhere. But, the ironic part of it all, is these two are perfect for each other. The way they bring out the best in each other, because both of them understand pain and know when to be gentle and when to be a little tough. They 'see' each other in ways they've longed for someone to see them and they get each other in a way no one else ever has. And maybe because of their backgrounds, it makes them more empathetic. I'm pretty sure it does. Anyone who has suffered some sort of trauma or PTSD, knows roughly how another feels and it's allowed them to open up to each other and share those nasty dark secrets that most people or no one knows. And I'm glad that they found each other and that Shadow rescued him and they found a home in each other. With all the pain in their lives they've been through, they deserve a new happiness. What impressed me even more, was the ability Randy had to forgive two people who hurt him the most. And not physically. You will understand when you read, if you haven't already.
I love these two and the whole bunch so much. They have made a huge family that is just growing more day by day and enveloping into something they've all needed, as much as most would have tried to deny it at some point. It's some tough stories to get through at times, but the endings are always worth it. Because at the end of the day, they all have found a family that they have made and because of it, it's made the difference they've all needed. They all have love and support and each other's back the way no one else ever has.
RATING: 5 Hearts
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Shadow is book 9 in The Boys of Brighton Series by M. Tasia. Randy hasn't had the best experience with life and he is okay with that. He knows what it is like to be disappointed in life and to be a disappointment to his family, but there isn't much he can do about it. He was ready for a lonely life filled with danger, but then Shadow came and saved him. Jake Kennedy, a.k.a. Shadow, learned early on that he had to fight for himself, but when he meets Randy, he realizes that he doesn't have to be alone anymore. All he has to do is open his heart to Randy and let himself love. But can the hurt of the past be healed by the love of present? Do they even have a future together where they can be happy forever?
Intense and action-packed, this really enjoyable story had me hooked from the moment I read the blurb. Randy and Jake are two very different characters, yet they are surprisingly similar to each other. Randy is a very complex character, even more so than Jake, which is saying something. The two of them make an incredible couple; they allow the other to bloom and excel, which I think is incredible. I enjoyed the chemistry between them the most; they worked as a team and took care of each other even when their relationship was in its infancy. The pace was incredible, the characters had ample time to develop and the overall flow of the narrative was perfect for the story. Shadow is a wonderful novel and I cannot wait for more from M. Tasia.
