Title: Not Broken, Just Bent
Author: Mia Kerick
Genre: Contemporary YA Romance
Length: Novel (180 pages)
Publisher: Harmony Ink, Dreamspinner Press (November 14th 2013)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Braving the start of high school, longtime childhood friends Benjamin Wells and Timmy Norton quickly realize they are entering a whole new world colored by their family responsibilities. Ben is trying to please his strict father; Timmy is taking care of his younger sisters. While their easy camaraderie is still comfortable, Ben notices Timmy growing distant and evasive, but Ben has his own problems. It’s easier to let concerns about Timmy’s home life slide, especially when Timmy changes directions and starts to get a little too close. Ben doesn’t know how to handle the new feelings Timmy’s desire for love inspires, and his continuing denial wounds Timmy deeply.
But what Timmy perceives as Ben’s greatest betrayal is yet to come, and the fallout threatens to break them apart forever. Over the next four years, the push and pull between them and the outside world twists and tears at Ben and Timmy, and they are haunted by fear and regret. However, sometimes what seems broken is just a little bent, and if they can find forgiveness within themselves, Ben and Timmy may be able to move forward together.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4386
Reviewer: Tams
Review: The story is told from Ben’s POV as he relives their story, his, and Timmy’s. Ben and Tim, as their friends call them, are pretty much inseparable until normal adolescent problems and hidden feelings start to get in the way. Ben is trying so hard to please his unappeasable father while Tim is dealing with issues of his own. He starts to pull away from Ben, partying and doing drugs. When Tim realizes he has feelings for Ben that go beyond friendship and tries to explore them, Ben shuts him down, not wanting to admit to himself that his feelings for Tim go beyond friendship as well. In an attempt to protect his friend, Ben makes a decision that has severe consequences.
I loved that this story was told from the one characters POV, almost like a journal he’d written about their life together. As you live Ben and Tim’s life through Ben’s eyes, you get to see them grow and change so much. Through the good and the bad, they truly are meant to be together. The title of this book is absolutely perfect; they aren’t broken, just bent. After Ben broke Tim’s trust, they fell apart for a while. Both of them went through a lot of personal growth throughout and came out the other side stronger. Ben’s voice is passionate and smooth, and you can almost feel his pain when he has to let Tim go. Even finding their way back to each other, Tim admitting how hurt he was and yet, how much he still loved Ben.
Let me start by saying Cover Love! That is what drew me to this book initially. Then the blurb sealed the deal. What I got was a really good gay YA story. Kept my attention from start to finish with mild angst and subtle character development. Definitely recommend this one.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews*
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