Dancer's Heart by DP Denman

91i2V6T6tIL._SL1500_Title: Dancer’s Heart
Author: DP Denman
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (319 pages)
Publisher: North Shore Press (December 29, 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Reviewer: Eli
Blurb: Not just another breakup story.

Simon Leander is living a lie. He hides the truth from his partner in a relationship he’s determined to tolerate…jealousy, rants and all. Michael was supposed to be the love of his life and he’s not ready to let go of that dream even though the romantic has turned tyrant.

When Drew appears, Simon’s determination begins to waver. Drew is everything Michael used to be but isn’t anymore. Drew also knows his secret. When the truth he works so hard to hide bursts from the shadows he must decide whether he can trust Drew and if love deserves a second chance
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Dancers-Heart-DP-Denman-ebook/dp/B00HLT7C72
Review: This is not a story about the romance between Simon and Drew. This is really the prequel so that story.

Simon is in an abusive relationship but he’s afraid to leave for all the same reasons that most persons won’t leave – they are still in love with the person they first met and not the monster they now live with. They keep believing that the person will change. Simon, however, has great friends and a life of dance, which allows him to escape from his abusive life. Drew has his own demons to bear but the story does not take the time to develop his back-story with the detail that it does Simon. The story would have been much better had time been dedicated to Drew because his sadness is palpable in the story, but so too is the deep feelings that he has for Simon. The reader, however, doesn’t really know or understand why those feelings flourish, that is not very well-developed in the storyline.

The story does explore domestic violence and it’s repercussions as well as some forays into other dark secrets of the gay community such as rape and how many crimes against gay men occur and how they are handled; and how the men embroiled in those situations handle themselves personally. As such, the story is a dark one – but at its core, this is Simon’s story and how he has to move from one reality to another and learn how to rebuild his life. Along that journey, Simon will learn his value as a man, a friend, and employee and a lover and it will ultimately allow him to grow from this horrific experience he’s had and perhaps learn that he is worth of love and a good man.