Abandoned is a truly amazing sequel for Enlightened. With Jamie gone, we get to see all the pain and suffering Brian goes through before making the decision whether to leave home and search for Jamie once he turns 18. The descriptions of his feelings as he suffered through several trials before the end of the book kept me on the edge of my seat. JP’s ability to capture the emotional state of a teenager and make it crystal clear every step of the way is truly amazing.

Everyone who has ever been bullied will know this is exactly what some kids go through. Brian’s situation is more extreme because he has also been separated from Jamie, is only supporter of his own age group, but the feelings are the same. His fear was real to me. I was so happy when he realized how much more his foster parents meant to him, and he to them, than he had expected. Finally, he had at least some more people in his corner. There are more throughout the book, but I thought that was the biggest step for him.

This is an utterly realistic, heart-wrenching story about a young boy trying to make his way in the world. The fact that he is gay makes in unjustly more difficult for him, but his development into a young man who knows what he wants and goes after it was a joy to watch. It left me with a feeling of hope for the future. This is a great book, and I cannot wait for the next volume!
( )

This book is filled to the brim with emotion. I liked the direction it's going in, I just wish it would get there already. (I'm waiting on my HEA.)
( )

Barnaby did a wonderful job of taking the reader along with Brian's emotional journey. At the beginning of the book, like Brian, I was all for him going after Jamie but as the story evolved I became to doubt that was the best thing for Brian to do. Actually towards the end of the book I was certain that he shouldn't go after Jamie and just move on with his life. I loved the emotional journey, even though it was quite painful at times. I wanted to know what was going on with Jamie but I understand that this is Brian's journey. Over all this is a wonderful additon to a great series but it is not a complete story in its own right and can't be read on its own. ( )

Another brilliant and sensitively handled story about Brian and Jamie. This story - the second in the series - focuses on Brian, who has been left behind to face the music after his relationship with Jamie was discovered. From the beginning, Brian is attacked for his sexuality, culminating in serious injuries and shocks that take his life in a direction he didn't expect. It's brilliantly written, with the hammer blows to Brian coming one after the other but in a realistic rather than 'playing for drama'way. And the ending made my heart race. Thank goodness I purchased the entire series after I finished the first book and I don't have to wait to find out what happens next.

( )

Another brilliant and sensitively handled story about Brian and Jamie. This story - the second in the series - focuses on Brian, who has been left behind to face the music after his relationship with Jamie was discovered. From the beginning, Brian is attacked for his sexuality, culminating in serious injuries and shocks that take his life in a direction he didn't expect. It's brilliantly written, with the hammer blows to Brian coming one after the other but in a realistic rather than 'playing for drama'way. And the ending made my heart race. Thank goodness I purchased the entire series after I finished the first book and I don't have to wait to find out what happens next.

( )