TITLE: Not Quite Broken
SERIES: Arbor Heights, #8
AUTHOR: Diana DeRicci
GENRE: Contemporary
LENGTH: Novella (148 pages)
PUBLISHER: MLR Press (July 17th, 2014)
HEAT LEVEL: Moderate
HEART RATING: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
BLURB: Dex’s life has gone into a tailspin. One night that ruined his entire world. He can’t sleep, he can’t eat. He’s lost his job, and is about to lose the last of his sanity. When the world crashes down around him, he’s ready to let the world win.
Dex has friends, though, who are determined to not let him self-combust.
One man will be there to guide him through his nightmare, to hold him to keep the demons at bay, and still let him be strong enough to find the strength to love after his darkest hour.
PRODUCT LINK: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=DDR_NTQB
REVIEWER: Prime
REVIEW: For the Arbor Heights series, as I have said in another of my reviews, you don’t have to read the entire series. They are all standalone books. However, for this book, we are actually introduced to both main characters, Dex and Brian in book #3, The Good Life (Chad and Sonny’s story). It is in book three where Dex is attacked and raped while he is out with Sonny. In that book it was a curious thread of subplot which now finally makes sense, only five books (and two years since book #3) later. I can’t actually recall how Brian fits into Dex’s life at the time of the attack, but that is unimportant for the book.
Now in his own story, Dex needs to heal and get over the traumatic experience, with the help of Brian. That is pretty much the thrust of the story. We pick up around 1-2 months after the incident. Dex needs to heal and Brian is that awesome friend in his life that everyone pretty much wants. Brian helps Dex with his living arrangements, getting a new job and incidentally helps him meet a couple of people along the way that also help him.
While Dex is still healing mentally, he is a strong, vulnerable character with a kind heart. Brian on the other hand is an absolute sweetheart. He’s also strong, but he is also compassionate and patient, yet conversely he comes along with a fiery attitude.
Like all the Arbor Heights books, there are numerous subplots. While there wasn’t any minor character that made me want to hear their story, except for maybe Vick, there was a lot going on. As I said previously, we get a look in on Sonny and Chad – which of course, is great. We also find out more about Dex’s background and the complications with his family. Speaking of minor characters, though, I do wonder about Dex’s younger brother. Mmm…