Title: Aftermath: Guts and Glory
Series: N/A
Author: Tyler Robbins
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Wounded Warriors
Length: Novel (213 pages)
Publisher: Evernight Publishing (July 25th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: When the brother he idolized is killed in action in Afghanistan, Kyle Barrett is rocked to his core. With his only confidant gone, Kyle struggles to deal with the loss, while fighting to keep his hidden sexuality a secret from his parents. If only he didn’t have to face them alone. Army veteran, Ryder Bishop has returned from his final tour in Iraq, when severe PTSD forces him to seek help through a new counseling program back home in Texas. Just when Ryder thinks he’s reached the end of his rope, he meets Kyle, and their lives take a remarkable turn.
Can the grieving brother and damaged soldier find the peace they so desperately need? Or will they become statistics when the aftermath of war hits too close to home?
They might have shipped the soldier home, but his demons have come with him.
Product Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/aftermath-guts-and-glory-by-tyler-robbins/
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: It’s difficult to love a broken person, to sympathize or try to understand where they are coming from and to cautiously help them heal. Both Kyle and Ryder are broken men on the path to healing. Kyle, nearly enraged at the loss of his brother to war, hurt, confused not knowing how to vent his feelings has his frustrations compounded even more by hiding his sexuality. How does someone cope with the loss of a brother while contemplating the very real possibility he will lose his family entirely if he comes out? I love an angsty story, and this one has it in spades.
I feel Kyle’s pain, and on the other hand, Ryder’s struggles with survivor’s guilt and PTSD grab me by the neck and strangle the emotions right out of me instantly. To suffer from what he has seen and done during wartime, and to accept that unless he gets serious help, that he’s dangerous to his family and loved ones, carries just so much pain and suffering.
When I see Kyle and Ryder finding some happiness, healing and understanding from each other it’s very heartwarming. Even though there is a huge risk for both of them, love is worth it. Can they overcome their flaws and damaged hearts, will family and friends be support enough to help each of them heal and come to love and support each other through this time of turmoil? You’ll have to read and find out. I really enjoyed the ups and downs, and plots twists of this story. Very well written, and enticing from start to finish. The sexual tension between the two is electrical, and the sexual encounters advance into very passionate and often times sweet and loving scenes.