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Loving Again #3
A Broken Promise
Ben and Donnie are happier than they've ever been. Zac's adoption went off without a hitch, their new home is tranquil and the perfect place to build their future.
But Donnie can never catch a break. An old affliction flares up again and as a result his physical condition is more precarious than ever. Helen is nervous about the environment to which Ben subjects their daughter, and Ben struggles to keep everything ticking over.
Then he meets Paul, an enigmatic, handsome journalist who is more than a little interested in Ben. In equal measures flattered and disturbed by the attention, Ben finds himself on the brink of a decision that might shatter the happiness he's worked so hard to achieve.
But Donnie can never catch a break. An old affliction flares up again and as a result his physical condition is more precarious than ever. Helen is nervous about the environment to which Ben subjects their daughter, and Ben struggles to keep everything ticking over.
Then he meets Paul, an enigmatic, handsome journalist who is more than a little interested in Ben. In equal measures flattered and disturbed by the attention, Ben finds himself on the brink of a decision that might shatter the happiness he's worked so hard to achieve.
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2019
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Mel Gough
14 books73 followersMel Gough loves writing about love – but with a twist. Nominated for the 2019 Selfies Awards, her bisexual romantic suspense novel He is Mine is a typical Mel Gough story. She needs her HEA fix, but on the way there will be thorns and fire, and sometimes brimstone. All right, that might be over the top, especially since her stories are firmly based in the real world - though not always in the here and now.
Born in Germany, exploring other realities has been Mel’s siren call since she was young. Books opened up a plethora of worlds, and soon gave her a strong love of the English language. After an MA in Anthropology, field work in the middle of nowhere seemed like one adventure too far, so Mel settled in London, which, to misquote Dr. Johnson, she will never tire of.
Mel loves to bend genres – her romances are gritty and dark, and sometimes there’s a dead body. She’s been told that her prose is beautiful yet disturbingly real. She’s curious about bygone times, and hopes to speculate about the future in one of her next books.
She was once asked “How to tell you're in a Mel Gough novel”
- You were either sick or in an accident, or you’re caring for someone who was
- You're bisexual (or your partner is)
- Your partner has unusual eyes (probably grey)
- Life sucks a lot, but then you meet someone, and things get better
Born in Germany, exploring other realities has been Mel’s siren call since she was young. Books opened up a plethora of worlds, and soon gave her a strong love of the English language. After an MA in Anthropology, field work in the middle of nowhere seemed like one adventure too far, so Mel settled in London, which, to misquote Dr. Johnson, she will never tire of.
Mel loves to bend genres – her romances are gritty and dark, and sometimes there’s a dead body. She’s been told that her prose is beautiful yet disturbingly real. She’s curious about bygone times, and hopes to speculate about the future in one of her next books.
She was once asked “How to tell you're in a Mel Gough novel”
- You were either sick or in an accident, or you’re caring for someone who was
- You're bisexual (or your partner is)
- Your partner has unusual eyes (probably grey)
- Life sucks a lot, but then you meet someone, and things get better
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 22, 2019
Are....you....kidding????
You give us three books to get invested in. To watch these guys fall in love, deal with death and disease and adopting a sick baby. They’ve been shot, more sickness, rude exes and all the while they’re there for each other. They go through so much together, overcoming so so so much. Then, falling in love and making a life together… And then BEN CHEATS????? Not even just once, but loads of times, for weeks! What the actual F?
Nope. I don’t even care what else happens.
And to top it off, he doesn’t even apologize? He doesn’t explain? They don’t even talk about it…. All while Donnie is so sick, dealing with a new diagnosis on top of literally being too sick to even eat, but he still taking care of your baby and making you dinner and giving you love and a family…And the end, you say, “they know whats in each other’s hearts, as long as they don’t forget again” Boy, Donnie didn’t forget anything. YOU DID!
I feel betrayed right now. Sick to my stomach. I hate stories like this and I wish I hadn’t gone through three freaking books to get here. How disappointing.
I’d give zero stars if I could. How disgusting.
You give us three books to get invested in. To watch these guys fall in love, deal with death and disease and adopting a sick baby. They’ve been shot, more sickness, rude exes and all the while they’re there for each other. They go through so much together, overcoming so so so much. Then, falling in love and making a life together… And then BEN CHEATS????? Not even just once, but loads of times, for weeks! What the actual F?
Nope. I don’t even care what else happens.
And to top it off, he doesn’t even apologize? He doesn’t explain? They don’t even talk about it…. All while Donnie is so sick, dealing with a new diagnosis on top of literally being too sick to even eat, but he still taking care of your baby and making you dinner and giving you love and a family…And the end, you say, “they know whats in each other’s hearts, as long as they don’t forget again” Boy, Donnie didn’t forget anything. YOU DID!
I feel betrayed right now. Sick to my stomach. I hate stories like this and I wish I hadn’t gone through three freaking books to get here. How disappointing.
I’d give zero stars if I could. How disgusting.
March 24, 2019
•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´This series brings home the open mindedness of the MC Ben, a police lieutenant, who following self discovery, found that he could love again, this time outside of his realm, with another man. Ben had gotten his life sorted out, and eventually married his partner Donnie, who was medically compromised. Together, they formed a family, becoming three in book 2, A New Life.
However, when push came to shove for both Ben and Donnie, "...it was about lies, and deceit, and that was so much worse." For Ben, the disasters that continued to plague his husband was wearing on him deeply. He was silently suffering and had no other means to vent. If only things would work out for Donnie, their family would be safe. But life never dealt a fair hand, and Ben floundered, and crossed the line. How would Donny react and would he be willing to forgive Ben's transgressions?
Forgiveness can be easy, it was forgetting that was hard. Donny had a lot to be thankful for, despite all the bad luck coming after him. With good friends, he was able to overcome so much and in turn understand that everything Ben was going through stemmed from him. Can their little family survive what life was throwing at them? Take the next step with these men we have grown to love and fight for. Is this the end? One click and find out.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
✮ (¸.•´This series brings home the open mindedness of the MC Ben, a police lieutenant, who following self discovery, found that he could love again, this time outside of his realm, with another man. Ben had gotten his life sorted out, and eventually married his partner Donnie, who was medically compromised. Together, they formed a family, becoming three in book 2, A New Life.
However, when push came to shove for both Ben and Donnie, "...it was about lies, and deceit, and that was so much worse." For Ben, the disasters that continued to plague his husband was wearing on him deeply. He was silently suffering and had no other means to vent. If only things would work out for Donnie, their family would be safe. But life never dealt a fair hand, and Ben floundered, and crossed the line. How would Donny react and would he be willing to forgive Ben's transgressions?
Forgiveness can be easy, it was forgetting that was hard. Donny had a lot to be thankful for, despite all the bad luck coming after him. With good friends, he was able to overcome so much and in turn understand that everything Ben was going through stemmed from him. Can their little family survive what life was throwing at them? Take the next step with these men we have grown to love and fight for. Is this the end? One click and find out.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
May 21, 2019
Oh. Great series.
Oh my, how much can Ben and Donnie endure? So much more it seems, until all is right again. Such an emotional read. Loved it.
Oh my, how much can Ben and Donnie endure? So much more it seems, until all is right again. Such an emotional read. Loved it.
March 25, 2019
Review in English and Polish || Recenzja po angielsku i polsku
Ben, Donnie and little Zac's life is like a fairy tale. They are happy, surrounded by friends and love. However, this idyll doesn't last long because Donnie gets sick again and this time nursing him back to health is really difficult and takes time. As if it is not enough, for the sake of her daughter's health, Helen wants to limit her contacts with her father. Ben barely copes with all this, and just when the weight of the world is the heaviest, he meets Paul, attractive, confident and clearly interested in him.
"A Broken Promise" is the third volume of "Loving Again", one of the best series I've read. The previous parts focused mainly on the characters' strength, but the problem which seems to be closer to this installment is the weakness. Giving in to temptation is one of the said weaknesses and it occupies a very important place in the novel. The author in a very clear way shows her readers that the temptation is omnipresent and arises even when a person is satisfied with their life. However, it is the strongest and the most dangerous when a man is the weakest, overwhelmed by the burden of life and problems. Lured by the promise of relief, temporary oblivion, they may succumb to temptation, which is so wrong that it only complicates their life more. By showing all this in her novel, Mel Gough undoubtedly made it even more believable, closer to real life, and she made her characters more real.
The fall is another motif that is extremely important in this novel. I admit that the author presented it in a very emotional way, which immediately engages the reader emotionally. Let's start with the fact that in this context the problem of human mental endurance limits is presented to us first. This is all the more important since so far we've seen Ben mainly as a strong man, who has sometimes gotten lost, but nevertheless has largely been doing fine and has been Donnie's rock. This time Mel Gough shows us that even someone as strong and righteous as Ben can fall very, very low. Until now, he's been a character whose image was close to the one of a hero – courageous, tough, able to keep the weight of the whole world on his shoulders, and like a wizard, he changed Donnie's life completely. In this volume, however, he is presented in a completely different way, because as an ordinary, weak man who makes mistakes, succumbs to temptation, who reaches the limits of his endurance. It is worth noting that the author doesn't demonize him, although it would definitely be easier.
I also like the fact that in "A Broken Promise" we can successfully see the topics of need for communication, letting other people get closer and being more open hidden between the lines. For what is contributing to Ben and Donnie's problems is the fact that they both try to be strong and independent. They hold all negative feelings and problems inside themselves, they not only can't ask for help, but they don't let others help them. In this way, the author shows us that their relationship still has a long way to go, because both must learn to rely on each other and on their friends. I have the impression that Mel Gough emphasized the problems of lack of communication and closing oneself off from other people even stronger by showing them in this manner.
I think that forgiveness is another important and worth our attention topic that appears in this novel. It is not without reason that I mention it because I personally don't know how to forgive and I can't learn to do it. So "A Broken Promise" was for me a kind of a lesson, but also a very painful blow. Ben and Donnie are very close to me, to tell the truth they are like friends to me, I love them as if they were real people, not literary characters. Thus, while reading this volume the conflicting feelings appeared inside of me very quickly and my emotions began to go crazy. The author shattered my heart into small pieces, and to tell the truth, Donnie, Sara and Arthur somehow helped me put it back together. Let's be honest, it's very easy to present someone as a villain, and in most novels that's how it looks like. However, Mel Gough showed some events concerning Ben in a completely different way, which I appreciate. But I admit that the said forgiveness sometimes seems to be close to justification of Ben's actions, which I think should not take place.
In summary, "A Broken Promise" is a huge, heavy hammer with which Mel Gough shatters her readers' hearts. The novel evokes is us many strong emotions and shows the characters whom we love from a different angle than before. After reading this volume, we really need time to recover and return to reality, as we can't forget it for a very long time.
_______________________________
Życie Bena, Donniego i małego Zaca układa się jak w bajce. Są szczęśliwi, otoczeni przez przyjaciół i miłość. Ta idylla nie trwa jednak długo, ponieważ Donnie znowu zaczyna chorować i tym razem doprowadzenie go do w miarę dobrego stanu okazuje się naprawdę trudne i wymaga czasu. Jakby tego było mało, Helen w trosce o zdrowie córki chce ograniczyć jej kontakty z ojcem. Ben z trudem radzi sobie z tym wszystkim i właśnie wtedy, kiedy ciężar świata jest największy, poznaje Paula, atrakcyjnego, pewnego siebie i wyraźnie zainteresowanego jego osobą.
„A Broken Promise” jest trzecim tomem „Loving Again”, jednej z najlepszych serii jakie czytałam. Poprzednie części skupiały się w ogromnej mierze na sile bohaterów, tej odsłonie bliższy wydaje się jednak problem ich słabości. Jedną z nich, zajmującą bardzo ważne miejsce w powieści, jest uleganie pokusom. Autorka w bardzo wyraźny sposób pokazuje czytelnikom, że pokusa jest wszechobecna i pojawia się nawet wtedy, gdy człowiek jest zadowolony z życia. Jednak najsilniejsza i najbardziej niebezpieczna jest wtedy, gdy człowiek jest najsłabszy, przygniatany ciężarem życia i problemów. Wabiony obietnicą ulgi, chwilowego zapomnienia, może ulec pokusie, która sama w sobie jak tak niewłaściwa, że tylko bardziej komplikuje życie. Ukazując to wszystko w swojej powieści, Mel Gough niewątpliwie uczyniła ją jeszcze bardziej prawdopodobną, bliższą prawdziwemu życiu, a bohaterów bardziej realnymi.
Kolejnym niezwykle istotnym dla powieści motywem jest upadek. Przyznaję, że autorka przedstawiła go w sposób bardzo emocjonalny, który od razu angażuje czytelnika uczuciowo. Zacznijmy od tego, że w tym kontekście na początek zostaje nam zaprezentowany problem granic ludzkiej wytrzymałości psychicznej. Jest to tym ważniejsze, że do tej pory widzieliśmy Bena głównie jako mężczyznę silnego, który wprawdzie czasami błądził, ale jednak w ogromnej mierze dawał sobie radę i był opoką dla Donniego. Tym razem Mel Gough pokazuje nam, że nawet ktoś tak silny i prawy jak Ben potrafi upaść bardzo, bardzo nisko. Do tej pory był on postacią bliską bohaterowi – odważny, twardy, potrafiący utrzymać na swoich barkach ciężar całego świata. Niczym czarodziej całkowicie odmienił życie Donniego. W tym tomie zostaje on jednak ukazany zupełnie inaczej, ponieważ jako zwyczajny, słaby człowiek, który popełnia błędy, ulega pokusom, osiąga granice swojej wytrzymałości. Warto bowiem zauważyć, że autorka nie demonizuje go, choć niewątpliwie byłoby to zdecydowanie łatwiejsze.
Bardzo spodobało mi się także to, że w „A Broken Promise” między wierszami z powodzeniem możemy dostrzec temat potrzeby komunikacji, dopuszczenia do siebie innych osób, otworzenia się na nich. Albowiem tym, co w dużej mierze przyczynia się do problemów Bena i Donniego jest fakt, że obaj starają się jak tylko mogą być silnymi, niezależnymi. Trzymają wszystko w sobie, nie tylko nie potrafią poprosić o pomoc, ale wręcz nie pozwalają aby inni im pomogli. W ten też sposób autorka pokazuje nam, że ich związek wciąż ma przed sobą daleką drogę, ponieważ obaj muszą nauczyć się polegać na sobie nawzajem. Mam wrażenie, że dzięki ukazaniu w taki właśnie sposób problemów komunikacji oraz zamykania się na innych, Mel Gough tym wyraźniej je podkreśliła.
Myślę, że wartym naszej uwagi i istotnym tematem, jaki pojawia się w tej powieści jest przebaczenie. Nie bez powodu o tym wspominam, ponieważ jest to coś czego ja osobiście nie potrafię i nie mogę się nauczyć. „A Broken Promise” było więc dla mnie pewnego rodzaju lekcją, ale także bardzo bolesnym ciosem. Ben i Donnie są mi bardzo bliscy, prawdę mówiąc są dla mnie jak przyjaciele, kocham ich jakby byli prawdziwymi ludźmi, a nie bohaterami literackimi. Tym samym bardzo szybko podczas czytania tego tomu pojawiły się we mnie sprzeczne uczucia, a emocje zaczęły szaleć. Autorka roztrzaskała moje serce na drobne kawałki i prawdę mówiąc w ich składaniu niewątpliwie bardzo pomogli mi Donnie, Sara i Arthur. Bądźmy szczerzy, bardzo łatwo jest przedstawić kogoś jako czarny charakter i w większości powieści właśnie tak to wygląda. Mel Gough ukazała jednak pewne wydarzenia w zupełnie inny sposób, co doceniam. Przyznaję jednak, że wspomniane przebaczenie wydaje mi się czasami graniczyć z usprawiedliwianiem Bena, co moim zdaniem nie powinno mieć miejsca.
Podsumowując, „A Broken Promise” jest wielkim, ciężkim młotem, którym Mel Gough roztrzaskuje serca swoich czytelników. Powieść wzbudza w nas wiele silnych emocji i ukazuje bohaterów, których tak kochamy w innym niż dotychczas świetle. Po przeczytaniu tego tomu naprawdę potrzebujemy czasu aby dojść do siebie i powrócić do rzeczywistości, ponieważ przez długi czas nie możemy o nim zapomnieć.
Ben, Donnie and little Zac's life is like a fairy tale. They are happy, surrounded by friends and love. However, this idyll doesn't last long because Donnie gets sick again and this time nursing him back to health is really difficult and takes time. As if it is not enough, for the sake of her daughter's health, Helen wants to limit her contacts with her father. Ben barely copes with all this, and just when the weight of the world is the heaviest, he meets Paul, attractive, confident and clearly interested in him.
"A Broken Promise" is the third volume of "Loving Again", one of the best series I've read. The previous parts focused mainly on the characters' strength, but the problem which seems to be closer to this installment is the weakness. Giving in to temptation is one of the said weaknesses and it occupies a very important place in the novel. The author in a very clear way shows her readers that the temptation is omnipresent and arises even when a person is satisfied with their life. However, it is the strongest and the most dangerous when a man is the weakest, overwhelmed by the burden of life and problems. Lured by the promise of relief, temporary oblivion, they may succumb to temptation, which is so wrong that it only complicates their life more. By showing all this in her novel, Mel Gough undoubtedly made it even more believable, closer to real life, and she made her characters more real.
The fall is another motif that is extremely important in this novel. I admit that the author presented it in a very emotional way, which immediately engages the reader emotionally. Let's start with the fact that in this context the problem of human mental endurance limits is presented to us first. This is all the more important since so far we've seen Ben mainly as a strong man, who has sometimes gotten lost, but nevertheless has largely been doing fine and has been Donnie's rock. This time Mel Gough shows us that even someone as strong and righteous as Ben can fall very, very low. Until now, he's been a character whose image was close to the one of a hero – courageous, tough, able to keep the weight of the whole world on his shoulders, and like a wizard, he changed Donnie's life completely. In this volume, however, he is presented in a completely different way, because as an ordinary, weak man who makes mistakes, succumbs to temptation, who reaches the limits of his endurance. It is worth noting that the author doesn't demonize him, although it would definitely be easier.
I also like the fact that in "A Broken Promise" we can successfully see the topics of need for communication, letting other people get closer and being more open hidden between the lines. For what is contributing to Ben and Donnie's problems is the fact that they both try to be strong and independent. They hold all negative feelings and problems inside themselves, they not only can't ask for help, but they don't let others help them. In this way, the author shows us that their relationship still has a long way to go, because both must learn to rely on each other and on their friends. I have the impression that Mel Gough emphasized the problems of lack of communication and closing oneself off from other people even stronger by showing them in this manner.
I think that forgiveness is another important and worth our attention topic that appears in this novel. It is not without reason that I mention it because I personally don't know how to forgive and I can't learn to do it. So "A Broken Promise" was for me a kind of a lesson, but also a very painful blow. Ben and Donnie are very close to me, to tell the truth they are like friends to me, I love them as if they were real people, not literary characters. Thus, while reading this volume the conflicting feelings appeared inside of me very quickly and my emotions began to go crazy. The author shattered my heart into small pieces, and to tell the truth, Donnie, Sara and Arthur somehow helped me put it back together. Let's be honest, it's very easy to present someone as a villain, and in most novels that's how it looks like. However, Mel Gough showed some events concerning Ben in a completely different way, which I appreciate. But I admit that the said forgiveness sometimes seems to be close to justification of Ben's actions, which I think should not take place.
In summary, "A Broken Promise" is a huge, heavy hammer with which Mel Gough shatters her readers' hearts. The novel evokes is us many strong emotions and shows the characters whom we love from a different angle than before. After reading this volume, we really need time to recover and return to reality, as we can't forget it for a very long time.
_______________________________
Życie Bena, Donniego i małego Zaca układa się jak w bajce. Są szczęśliwi, otoczeni przez przyjaciół i miłość. Ta idylla nie trwa jednak długo, ponieważ Donnie znowu zaczyna chorować i tym razem doprowadzenie go do w miarę dobrego stanu okazuje się naprawdę trudne i wymaga czasu. Jakby tego było mało, Helen w trosce o zdrowie córki chce ograniczyć jej kontakty z ojcem. Ben z trudem radzi sobie z tym wszystkim i właśnie wtedy, kiedy ciężar świata jest największy, poznaje Paula, atrakcyjnego, pewnego siebie i wyraźnie zainteresowanego jego osobą.
„A Broken Promise” jest trzecim tomem „Loving Again”, jednej z najlepszych serii jakie czytałam. Poprzednie części skupiały się w ogromnej mierze na sile bohaterów, tej odsłonie bliższy wydaje się jednak problem ich słabości. Jedną z nich, zajmującą bardzo ważne miejsce w powieści, jest uleganie pokusom. Autorka w bardzo wyraźny sposób pokazuje czytelnikom, że pokusa jest wszechobecna i pojawia się nawet wtedy, gdy człowiek jest zadowolony z życia. Jednak najsilniejsza i najbardziej niebezpieczna jest wtedy, gdy człowiek jest najsłabszy, przygniatany ciężarem życia i problemów. Wabiony obietnicą ulgi, chwilowego zapomnienia, może ulec pokusie, która sama w sobie jak tak niewłaściwa, że tylko bardziej komplikuje życie. Ukazując to wszystko w swojej powieści, Mel Gough niewątpliwie uczyniła ją jeszcze bardziej prawdopodobną, bliższą prawdziwemu życiu, a bohaterów bardziej realnymi.
Kolejnym niezwykle istotnym dla powieści motywem jest upadek. Przyznaję, że autorka przedstawiła go w sposób bardzo emocjonalny, który od razu angażuje czytelnika uczuciowo. Zacznijmy od tego, że w tym kontekście na początek zostaje nam zaprezentowany problem granic ludzkiej wytrzymałości psychicznej. Jest to tym ważniejsze, że do tej pory widzieliśmy Bena głównie jako mężczyznę silnego, który wprawdzie czasami błądził, ale jednak w ogromnej mierze dawał sobie radę i był opoką dla Donniego. Tym razem Mel Gough pokazuje nam, że nawet ktoś tak silny i prawy jak Ben potrafi upaść bardzo, bardzo nisko. Do tej pory był on postacią bliską bohaterowi – odważny, twardy, potrafiący utrzymać na swoich barkach ciężar całego świata. Niczym czarodziej całkowicie odmienił życie Donniego. W tym tomie zostaje on jednak ukazany zupełnie inaczej, ponieważ jako zwyczajny, słaby człowiek, który popełnia błędy, ulega pokusom, osiąga granice swojej wytrzymałości. Warto bowiem zauważyć, że autorka nie demonizuje go, choć niewątpliwie byłoby to zdecydowanie łatwiejsze.
Bardzo spodobało mi się także to, że w „A Broken Promise” między wierszami z powodzeniem możemy dostrzec temat potrzeby komunikacji, dopuszczenia do siebie innych osób, otworzenia się na nich. Albowiem tym, co w dużej mierze przyczynia się do problemów Bena i Donniego jest fakt, że obaj starają się jak tylko mogą być silnymi, niezależnymi. Trzymają wszystko w sobie, nie tylko nie potrafią poprosić o pomoc, ale wręcz nie pozwalają aby inni im pomogli. W ten też sposób autorka pokazuje nam, że ich związek wciąż ma przed sobą daleką drogę, ponieważ obaj muszą nauczyć się polegać na sobie nawzajem. Mam wrażenie, że dzięki ukazaniu w taki właśnie sposób problemów komunikacji oraz zamykania się na innych, Mel Gough tym wyraźniej je podkreśliła.
Myślę, że wartym naszej uwagi i istotnym tematem, jaki pojawia się w tej powieści jest przebaczenie. Nie bez powodu o tym wspominam, ponieważ jest to coś czego ja osobiście nie potrafię i nie mogę się nauczyć. „A Broken Promise” było więc dla mnie pewnego rodzaju lekcją, ale także bardzo bolesnym ciosem. Ben i Donnie są mi bardzo bliscy, prawdę mówiąc są dla mnie jak przyjaciele, kocham ich jakby byli prawdziwymi ludźmi, a nie bohaterami literackimi. Tym samym bardzo szybko podczas czytania tego tomu pojawiły się we mnie sprzeczne uczucia, a emocje zaczęły szaleć. Autorka roztrzaskała moje serce na drobne kawałki i prawdę mówiąc w ich składaniu niewątpliwie bardzo pomogli mi Donnie, Sara i Arthur. Bądźmy szczerzy, bardzo łatwo jest przedstawić kogoś jako czarny charakter i w większości powieści właśnie tak to wygląda. Mel Gough ukazała jednak pewne wydarzenia w zupełnie inny sposób, co doceniam. Przyznaję jednak, że wspomniane przebaczenie wydaje mi się czasami graniczyć z usprawiedliwianiem Bena, co moim zdaniem nie powinno mieć miejsca.
Podsumowując, „A Broken Promise” jest wielkim, ciężkim młotem, którym Mel Gough roztrzaskuje serca swoich czytelników. Powieść wzbudza w nas wiele silnych emocji i ukazuje bohaterów, których tak kochamy w innym niż dotychczas świetle. Po przeczytaniu tego tomu naprawdę potrzebujemy czasu aby dojść do siebie i powrócić do rzeczywistości, ponieważ przez długi czas nie możemy o nim zapomnieć.
March 22, 2019
Okay. I agreed to read this book before there was a blurb, but I knew from the title alone that I was not going to be happy with this one. Boy, was I right about that! This is the third book of the Loving Again series, and definitely should not be read as a standalone. The characters are well developed as with the first two books, and the writing style is easy to follow and flows nicely.
Unlike the previous book, the author focuses more on Ben and how he is handling everything going on in his life. He is still the overprotective husband to Donnie, but he is trying not to be as pushy as he has been in the past. This book picks up when Zac is a toddler, and our MCs are preparing to move from their condo into a house.
Unfortunately, life never makes things easy for Donnie, and his health is once again in danger. But this time around, a new (to Donnie) disease has taken root, and is not being cooperative when trying to be controlled. This, of course, puts more fear and helplessness in Ben's heart. He does all he can to take care of his little family.
As time passes, Ben's ex-wife adds more stress to their lives, and a student from Arthur's past comes back to visit. At the same time, Sam, Donnie's first real fling, comes to the center to apologize and rekindle their lost friendship. As the pressure builds, and Ben feels more helpless and alone, temptation rears its ugly head and strikes fast and hard.
When Donnie's health begins to stabilize, and Helen does a one-eighty, Ben realizes what he has to lose. But inaction is not enough to rid himself of his demon; because his demon isn't ready to be dismissed. Ben realizes he must risk losing it all if his family is going to find a way through the mess he has made.
Overall, we do get a HEA/HFN ending. I don't know if there will be more to this series or not. I cannot say I was terribly surprised by the way the story ended, but I was still sad and a little...disappointed?...with the way Donnie reconciled the issues in his mind. And, I really don't enjoy this particular theme in romance stories, so it would take a lot to satisfy my mind with a suitable conclusion. But, the story was well written and was a decent addition to the series.
* I received an ARC of this book. *
Unlike the previous book, the author focuses more on Ben and how he is handling everything going on in his life. He is still the overprotective husband to Donnie, but he is trying not to be as pushy as he has been in the past. This book picks up when Zac is a toddler, and our MCs are preparing to move from their condo into a house.
Unfortunately, life never makes things easy for Donnie, and his health is once again in danger. But this time around, a new (to Donnie) disease has taken root, and is not being cooperative when trying to be controlled. This, of course, puts more fear and helplessness in Ben's heart. He does all he can to take care of his little family.
As time passes, Ben's ex-wife adds more stress to their lives, and a student from Arthur's past comes back to visit. At the same time, Sam, Donnie's first real fling, comes to the center to apologize and rekindle their lost friendship. As the pressure builds, and Ben feels more helpless and alone, temptation rears its ugly head and strikes fast and hard.
When Donnie's health begins to stabilize, and Helen does a one-eighty, Ben realizes what he has to lose. But inaction is not enough to rid himself of his demon; because his demon isn't ready to be dismissed. Ben realizes he must risk losing it all if his family is going to find a way through the mess he has made.
Overall, we do get a HEA/HFN ending. I don't know if there will be more to this series or not. I cannot say I was terribly surprised by the way the story ended, but I was still sad and a little...disappointed?...with the way Donnie reconciled the issues in his mind. And, I really don't enjoy this particular theme in romance stories, so it would take a lot to satisfy my mind with a suitable conclusion. But, the story was well written and was a decent addition to the series.
* I received an ARC of this book. *
March 21, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3
People make mistakes but love can aid forgiveness.
I was nervous to read this story based on the blurb and title but I liked Mel’s approach. It’s real and reflects human nature and thankfully revealed the strength of Donnie and Ben’s bond.
Poor Donnie is dealt yet another hard (health) blow, he never seems to catch a break but the connection between Donnie and Ben is being tested and strained with yet more complications and life challenges. With Donnie navigating sickness, a new disease, moving house, a past ‘friend’ returning and his usual HIV struggles, there’s a lot on his plate that his relationship fells to the wayside.
I knew from the moment we meet Paul he was trouble, sleaze and had questionable morals. I think Mel balanced the appearance of Paul and his ‘seduction’ of Ben really well. I was disappointed in Ben and his actions but he wasn’t vindictive, he was sad, lonely and looking for a way to cope with his current struggles without falling off the wagon. That being said, I really dislike Paul and the whole situation. I like that Mel explored the idea of an open relationship and that the greatest betray for Donnie was the lies rather than the act itself. I felt showed Donnie’s maturity, real-world understanding, and growth from his challenging past.
I enjoyed the ending and the strength Donnie and Ben were able to forge even through all these life challenges and the broken trust. It showed that love can aid forgiveness.
Donnie and Ben are so real and I have enjoyed their stories which are like no others I’ve read. Be prepared for a real read with all the hardships life can throw at you, but love prevails in the end!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3
People make mistakes but love can aid forgiveness.
I was nervous to read this story based on the blurb and title but I liked Mel’s approach. It’s real and reflects human nature and thankfully revealed the strength of Donnie and Ben’s bond.
Poor Donnie is dealt yet another hard (health) blow, he never seems to catch a break but the connection between Donnie and Ben is being tested and strained with yet more complications and life challenges. With Donnie navigating sickness, a new disease, moving house, a past ‘friend’ returning and his usual HIV struggles, there’s a lot on his plate that his relationship fells to the wayside.
I knew from the moment we meet Paul he was trouble, sleaze and had questionable morals. I think Mel balanced the appearance of Paul and his ‘seduction’ of Ben really well. I was disappointed in Ben and his actions but he wasn’t vindictive, he was sad, lonely and looking for a way to cope with his current struggles without falling off the wagon. That being said, I really dislike Paul and the whole situation. I like that Mel explored the idea of an open relationship and that the greatest betray for Donnie was the lies rather than the act itself. I felt showed Donnie’s maturity, real-world understanding, and growth from his challenging past.
I enjoyed the ending and the strength Donnie and Ben were able to forge even through all these life challenges and the broken trust. It showed that love can aid forgiveness.
Donnie and Ben are so real and I have enjoyed their stories which are like no others I’ve read. Be prepared for a real read with all the hardships life can throw at you, but love prevails in the end!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
March 20, 2019
This is a well-written and interesting story with amazing characters but I definitely liked the first two books in this series more. I was so looking forward to reading this book and had high hopes that Donnie, Ben and Zac had finally settled into an easier life. They deserve it after everything they have been through but I should have known the direction this book was headed in by the title. I was still shocked and disappointed by Ben's actions and I wish that the author hadn't gone there with this couple as Donnie has had such a difficult life already with his illnesses that this is the last thing he should have to deal with. I love their son Zac and how attuned he is to Donnie and how Sara is such a supportive friend and helpful with all of the medical issues Donnie has to deal with. Frank is another amazing character and he adds so much to this book. I hope this HFN is not the end of this series and I would love for them to get a chance to not have to deal with one crisis after another and just enjoy their little family.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
March 23, 2019
3.5 stars
This book was tough. I love Donnie and I just wanted him to get a break and he absolutely did not get one in this book. I wanted more light in Donnie and Ben's story! Zac was a super cute addition; even with all of the angst and sadness he made things a little bit better.
I was a little confused by some of the timeline and there were some details that did not add up. There is also something that happens in this book that is a hard no for a lot of readers and this was my first time reading this situation. I found myself resenting the direction the story took. I can understand why to an extent and I felt the realness in the actions by some of the characters but it was hard for me to read. While there are many struggles and obstacles for this family to get through in this book, there were also a few successes that I was happy about.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
This book was tough. I love Donnie and I just wanted him to get a break and he absolutely did not get one in this book. I wanted more light in Donnie and Ben's story! Zac was a super cute addition; even with all of the angst and sadness he made things a little bit better.
I was a little confused by some of the timeline and there were some details that did not add up. There is also something that happens in this book that is a hard no for a lot of readers and this was my first time reading this situation. I found myself resenting the direction the story took. I can understand why to an extent and I felt the realness in the actions by some of the characters but it was hard for me to read. While there are many struggles and obstacles for this family to get through in this book, there were also a few successes that I was happy about.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
March 24, 2019
This is the conclusion of Ben and Donnie's story and life does not seem to be getting any easier for this couple. Donnie has new health issues and both men are desperately trying to push through, not in any small part for Zach. Something has to break, especially as communication starts to to falter and things begin to really fall apart.
I really enjoyed the fact that these books have a very real feel to them, nothing is sanitised or sugar coated. The relationship at the centre faces so many setbacks and challenges but Ben and Donnie try to face it together, sometimes slipping up but never loosing the love between them.
I really enjoyed the fact that these books have a very real feel to them, nothing is sanitised or sugar coated. The relationship at the centre faces so many setbacks and challenges but Ben and Donnie try to face it together, sometimes slipping up but never loosing the love between them.
June 28, 2019
Not WThis is the third book in The Loving Again Series. I am speechless this is the first time that I have given less than 3 stars. So, I don’t do lightly, but I can NOT stand cheating period end of story. There is not good reason for it I get the emotions and hormones can go crazy but that is not excuse. I really liked Donnie, but I will not be reading anymore of the series and maybe not any further books from this author. Yes, my whole review is on this one point, but it ruined the book for me and the writing as well. I CAN NOT recommend this book as a good read. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
March 22, 2019
A Broken Promise is the third and final book in the Loving Again series by Mel Gough. It finished off the journey of Ben and Donnie and the family they have created. And it wrecked me.
From the title, we know we are in for an emotional ride. And Mel Gough delivers a story with as much punch to the feels as it gives tender caresses. As much as I wanted to scream because of betrayal, I still yearned for out guys to find their way through... together and stronger.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
From the title, we know we are in for an emotional ride. And Mel Gough delivers a story with as much punch to the feels as it gives tender caresses. As much as I wanted to scream because of betrayal, I still yearned for out guys to find their way through... together and stronger.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
June 27, 2020
I was very disappointed in book three. I couldn’t believe that the author did that to the readers of the other two books in the series. If she would have explained the reason better it may have sat better with readers. If you don’t like cheating don’t read this book. The other two in the series were so touching and so what true love looked like, it just damaged the whole series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
good story.. i enjoy this theme/genre.. it was fast paced and interesting.. some spots were slower and made me mad.. lol.. but overall it was really well done and enjoyable. i liked it
March 26, 2019
So Book no 3 for Ben and Donnie. Donnie just can’t catch a trick and again struggles with his health. Ben acts in a way that personally I can’t condone but I can see how he craved comfort and normality. I just wish these two could have some good news for a change and they were finally heading in that direction at the end. I love the never ending support these two get from Sara and Arthur, Zac is one amazingly happy little kid and we had a HFN/HEA I’m hoping with that ending cos I don’t know how much more I can see these two go through without my heart been completely broken. Mel Gough has tackled some tough issues extremely well in here and it’s well worth a read especially if you’ve read the first two books in the series.
July 21, 2020
While I really enjoyed this series this was my least favorite but I still enjoyed it.
Donnie hasn’t had it easy at all and things just go from bad to worse when things finally seem like they are getting back on track he is hit with more bad news regarding his health issues.
I just found Ben buried his head in the sand and let things get too far out of hand it takes him almost loosing everything for him to realise what he has. With easy temptations thrown in his way he just gives in too easily.
I would not recommend reading this unless you have read the first two as you really need to read about these guys from the very beginning to understand their complex relationship.
Donnie hasn’t had it easy at all and things just go from bad to worse when things finally seem like they are getting back on track he is hit with more bad news regarding his health issues.
I just found Ben buried his head in the sand and let things get too far out of hand it takes him almost loosing everything for him to realise what he has. With easy temptations thrown in his way he just gives in too easily.
I would not recommend reading this unless you have read the first two as you really need to read about these guys from the very beginning to understand their complex relationship.
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