4.5 stars. Thoughtful & sensitive handling of difficult subject matter. Outstanding. ( )

It took a while for me to settle on a rating for this book, because there were some things in here that I really liked and some things that I didn't. I'm averaging it out to three stars.

So what did I like? I really liked how Derek handled the trauma of being raped; he didn't brush it aside or just magically be healed by another dude's dick. And I think that he reacted as many rape victims do. His first instinct wasn't to report the crime; I know a lot of people always wonder why people wash away evidence and don't report the crime until days, weeks, months, or even years later - but it is completely understandable. After being raped, the last thing going through most people's minds is "oh, I need to collect evidence for the police." You feel violated, betrayed, or even can't believe that this happened to you. So to see Derek react like many do felt realistic to me.

The fact that his sex life also suffered felt incredibly realistic to me, too. He didn't want to sleep with his fiance of five years, Tim, even though Derek had been penetrated during the rape and in his sexual encounters with Tim he was the one penetrating. Also, Derek had a lot of trust issues and didn't warm up well to Russ at first, which I also felt to be true to the character and his experiences.

I also like that the guys in this book were, well, guys. How many times have you read a book to hear about how some guy smells like citrus and jasmine or something ridiculous? I mean, granted, there are scented soaps and lotions and stuff, but that scent doesn't tend to hang around all day. And, no offense intended, but guys tend to...sweat. A lot. And smell like sweat. Haha. And the guys in this book DID smell like sweat at times, did get dirty, did have to take baths, did burp and fart and all of the stuff that real guys DO. So I really liked that, because it made the story more realistic as well.

Also, poor Russ. His love life was just horrible; all he wanted to do was find someone to snuggle with who liked dogs, and he kept getting in the weirdest situations. His botched attempts at finding someone did provide some comic relief to an otherwise very serious story.

But there were some things I didn't like, as well. There was just something about the writing style that didn't connect with me; I never got the feeling that I was IN the story. I always felt like I was reading a story. I never got to immerse myself entirely into the book. I never felt like I knew any of the characters all that well, and I never got past the "oh, these are characters in a book" feeling.

Tim and Victor were just SO bad. Tim was such a little brat, and I couldn't see why Derek would stay with him, much less want to marry him and spend the rest of his life with him, when Tim was just such a snot. He basically dumped Derek because he had been raped, because he didn't believe that Derek could be raped since he was fairly fit. What the fuck ever. Then he brought his "new boyfriend" over to rub it in Derek's face. Ick. I didn't like his character at all. And Victor, the rapist, was such a horrible person and was a jackass to Derek even when they were "friends," so I couldn't see why Derek and Victor had remained friends for so long.

I also felt like there was too much "before" and not enough "after" when it came to this book. I think a chapter or two would have sufficed before Derek being raped, but the rape didn't occur until something like 25% into the Kindle book, which I felt kind of limited the "after" part with Derek trying to move on with his life and work through what had happened to him. Plus I really couldn't stand Tim, so less of him would have been better for sure.

For those who are triggered by sexual assault, the rape does take place "on page."

I liked the book, but I didn't love it. I did like that it tackled a really important subject and handled it pretty well; I just felt like the romance itself was a bit lacking. But I would definitely give this author another try! ( )

A Hearts On Fire Review

4.5 HEARTS-- Hello Mr. Fessenden. It's a pleasure to finally read your work. *pushes up glasses* I'm your newest fan. :)

I'm not one to hand out high ratings just because an author can handle a difficult subject. If anything, I'm even tougher on the story because I don't want pretty, simple happy endings once an 'owwie' is introduced. I recently read and reviewed a book on this blog where the main character was sexually assaulted and they miraculously recovered from the event to have sex with the new guy...in a few days.

I hate that.

Don't you think realistically it takes time to recover? Why must the victim jump back in the sex & emotions saddle to satisfy the reader instead of their self organically? Why can't the book give the victimized character due justice, a love story, a believable plot and back story?

If you're a reader like me who finds any of what I just mentioned your kind of thing, then let me introduce you to Jamie Fessenden's "Violated".

Because it is one hell of a book, without trying too hard. (Okay, I think there were minor quibbles for me. Quibblets, if you will.) But overall, excellent writing.

Told in dual timeline and alternating POV, Violated follows Derek Sawyer who has a sucky life with an overly jealous fiance, a sweet dog and a jerky muscle head best friend who is also his supervisor. Derek bought a vacation home/cabin in the woods of New Hampshire with his reluctant fiance, Tim and meets his hunky cop neighbor, Russ Thomas. Don't worry, no cheating happens. Russ is looking for love and tries social clubs and hookups but he keeps going back in his head to Derek.

The book title & blurb is a key hint as to what happened in the book. And it will be a deal breaker for some. Trigger warning: rape and abuse.

So let's just kick open the door without spoilering.

The rape and the aftermath. Was it graphic? Yes. And the aftermath was realistic. The PTSD. It struck a chord with me. A natural reaction for some might be the should have, could have and would have done in that type of situation but unless you've been in that situation, don't judge. It's a hard thing to do. And I can't judge a rape victim's choice. The numbers are out there, sadly each person doesn't get justice or get to see their rapist put behind bars. Nor does each victim seek counseling or speak up for themselves. I thought Derek's reactions to everything: before, during and after were true to life. Even the choice of rapist - Derek's best friend was statistically accurate, usually someone close to the person.

The rape does not darken the entire book. Violated is legit funny at points. There I am shattered along with Derek and then we cut to Russ who is hopeful for love and it doesn't work out. There is enough light to counterbalance the dark. I won't say 50/50 but it's frigging close.

"And I understand that Bill doesn't like having to wear condoms--he doesn't think it feels as good with one on--"

"Mom! Derek doesn't want to hear about what makes Bill's penis feel good."

Mrs. Thomas batted her eyelashes. "I'm sorry. Should we be talking about what makes your penis feel good instead?"

I swear Russ's mother is my kind of woman, super inappropriate and had no boundaries. I want to be her when I grow up.

I think the dual timeline worked for explaining the main characters and side characters (more so Tim the bitchy controlling fiance and Victor the villainous best friend). I got a deeper sense of how they ticked and worked. I understood their choices (if I didn't agree at that time I tried to remember, it's not what I want but what worked for the character) And the author really knew his characters.

I loved reading about real life men, struggling with...life. I enjoyed reading about Derek's struggles with his sexuality. He carried over resentment from his shitty childhood on what makes a real "man". I would love to do a case study on Derek.

As for the book's villain, I wish I could have had some alone time with him and a metal bat. I felt this way until nearly the end. And actually reading this guy, learning his thought process...he's just an idiot. I had my theory about him but I guess it'll remain a mystery.

The ending was fitting to the story. The justice? Closer to reality than not. And if you need to know, there is on-page sex in the book. The main characters have the majority of it with other people, but the story isn't about sex. And if you need to read about pure sex...why are you reading romance? Stroke fic is the better choice. ;) (Nothing wrong with that either.)

This book is about a connection between two men who weren't looking for it but got it anyway. It's quiet, but it is there.

This book is about rebuilding one's self after a tragedy, and not having a miracle delivered, or miracle penis solve the way.

This is not just a rape book.

This is romance, tame in comparison to some of the raunchier, popular titles that seem to be plaguing the feeds. I hope you catch the hint on what not to expect between the main characters too much.

The story ends at a great spot. It's a HEHEA Hard Earned Happily Ever After. *whispers* The best kind.

And it works for the main characters.

Recommended for readers who don't mind the triggers, dual timelines and don't need a conventional HEA.

A copy provided for an honest review. " ( )

4.5 ( )