Kisses from Heaven

by Piper Kay

Hayden Montgomery has always been determined, hardheaded, and strong. He keeps his passionate side buried deep within. But shit just went South.
Now, his world is crumbling in front of him. Broken and lost, he’s trapped in an abusive relationship which makes it worse. Hayden just wants a way out of everything. Falling down the rabbit hole, he questions his own life or if he even belongs in it anymore.
Joseph, his very close friend from years ago, returns. They took different roads for a quick minute, but Hayden is overjoyed with his return and the strength and love Joseph has to share.
Unfortunately, Joseph harbors some deep and dark secrets that could get them both killed if he’s not careful.
There is a method to this madness! And many Kisses from Heaven up above.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2019

About the author

Piper Kay was a homegrown country girl straight from the outskirts of Houston, Texas, USA. She was employed with Encompass Ink, Hot Ink Press and CHBB Publishing. (Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing) Whether YA, Erotic Romance, Western, or Drama, she always remained solely dedicated to stories in the M/M and gay romance genres. Piper is a #1 International Best Selling author of LGBT Erotica, and an International Bestselling author of LGBT Erotic romance, gay romance, LGBT drama, gay western and LGBT Childrens YA. Piper brought her passion of storytelling straight to the pages, almost always serving it with a super-sized sprinkle of sexy, a slice of sarcasm and a carafe of crazy.

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Reviews

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRIGGERS: severe emotional, mental, verbal and physical abuse. Please be careful. It is described.
Geez, this was one hell of a roller coaster. I've been in Hayden's shoes many times, wondering when things were going to quit falling down around you. But geez, Hayden just had it rough. I wasn't too happy with the ending. After all that build up and everything that happened, it just was over. You blink and miss it kind of thing. No explanation of who the problem was or anything. Just kind of fell flat for me.
If any man had a reason to drink or something, it was Hayden. The one person in the world that he was closest to had died. His boyfriend was seriously about to kill him. His mother was a bitch, plain and simple. He had nothing to love for anymore. But just when he had no more hope, a glimmer came in the form of his old friend, Joseph. Joseph blew in like a whirlwind and seemed to solve all of his problem. He couldn't bring the dead to life again, but he helped with everything else and brought life back into Hayden. But just when life seemed to be perfect, Joseph had to leave, and devastated Hayden all over again. But Joseph couldn't stay. Hayden knew that, but it didn't help how he felt. For years, it was come and go sporadically. Just when Hayden finally seemed to catch his breath, Joseph would blow in for a day or two and uproot Hayden all over again. But this may be the very last time. The danger that is Joseph’s life may engulf them all. And Hayden doesn't know if he will survive this time.
For the love of Pete, give Hayden a break. Wow. If it wasn't one thing it was something else. And every time he thought he had it together, something else would sweep his feet out from under him. Unfortunately, I know the feeling. It's insane. And Joseph, I was so happy when he found Joseph again. Or more like, Joseph found him again. It was like sunshine finally entered his life. Just sucks that Joseph's job made things harder.
But I understood Joseph's point of view. He wasn't expecting things to happen the way they did. As he wanted to protect everyone he holds dear. He was a danger to those around him. And he would never endanger anyone. It's torment for him, knowing he has to come and go and basically hide from the world. Never being able to really love or have much of a life.
This is a book that will have you all over the place. It's great on minute, devastating the next. It's good, but it's a roller coaster ride for sure.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very hard book for me to rate. My rating is based upon the quality of the writing style, the relatively few editing issues, and the storyline of the first part of the book.

Even though the storyline was not pretty at the beginning, it had potential. It showed a fairly realistic story of emotional and physical abuse, and how even the strongest people can fall prey to this horrible situation.

It showed the love and devotion between a son and his father. It showed the lengths one will go to in order to keep their loved ones safe from the misery that their life has become. And, it showed that after losing the only thing left in this world that means more than life itself, you can begin to take your own life back; no matter what it costs you.

Then Joseph gets involved, and everything gets a bit wonky. At first, he's an angel in disguise, sweeping in to take care of his childhood friend Hayden, and making things better. Then, after YEARS of traumatic abuse, Hayden is able to just let go after a breakdown or two, and he and his friend start a relationship.

But, of course, all is not what it seems with Joseph. Not long after the new relationship begins, and Hayden is starting to regain his footing, Joseph must go away with no details or ETA of his return. So, the story drags as we watch Hayden deal (or not) with the loss of his lover as he tries yet again to put his life back together.

The reader is left to watch as Hayden struggles through the decades. I cannot call this a romance book. I suppose it could have been if Hayden had been left with any real answers. At the lowest point, the reader is aware of a misunderstanding, but Hayden is not, so again the years of sadness, resentment, and loneliness continue. Of course, at the end, Hayden is much more forgiving than I could ever be, and he and Joseph have their HEA.

I suppose some might find this book some kind of epic love story, but I just found it disappointing. I have enjoyed this author's work in the past, the writing style is smooth and flows nicely, and there weren't many major editing issues, but the second half of this book was drawn out and depressing. I did finish the book, and it wasn't all bad. However, a book has to be really bad to go on the DNF pile.

* I received an ARC of this book. *

[Keri Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
An emotionally heartbreaking story of finally finding your Happily Ever After. The road is long and hard. This story will tear you apart with heartache.

The story begins with Hayden being in an abusive relationship. For years he has put up with emotional and physical abuse, but it's time for a change. He's done with it. And with an old friend's help, Joseph, he gets his new start. Unfortunately he suffers more than one loss to get him there.

Joseph becomes his rock. They were best friends throughout school and then lost touch. Now back in contact and rebuilding their friendship which leads to a much deeper connection.

Joseph has lots of secrets. He does what he can to help Hayden start fresh. He never expected to catch feelings. It was never part of the plan. He'll do what he can for Hayden, but he won't be able to stay. His job keeps him from forming relationships. He'll be gone soon and no one knows for how long.

Just when Hayden finds happiness, it's taken from him. This story is about his life and his struggle. You will feel his pain. Your heart will break for him. This story was heart-wrenching. Almost too much pain for one person to endure. My heart just broke for Hayden. He never seemed to catch a break, but he persevered. He existed, he lived but his heart was not whole. Forever took a really long time, but in the end, Hayden finally got his Happily Ever After.

[booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC RECEIVED FOR HONEST REVIEW**
This story, as expected by the title, isn't one full of happy times.
Instead it deals with the reality of love, loss, abuse and addictive tendencies.
When we first meet Hayden, he's going through a rough time. And when I say rough, I mean, HELLISH!
You can tell that emotionally, mentally and physically, he's drained, worn so far down it's unreal.
Then, when things look to be getting worse than possible, Joseph turns up!
Joseph truly is Hayden's saviour, guardian angel and so much more. He's also quite a mysterious character, too, and what follows is a really emotional, well written story that will have you wondering what's going to happen next.
Now, while I really enjoyed the story overall I do feel that the last few chapters could have had more details, explained things more, especially with regards to Joseph and his "job".
I also feel that the time jumps could've been done better, that we could've got more information regarding what Hayden got up to, over those missing years.
I would also have really preferred it if we'd got the full details regarding what Joseph did, the explanation he gave to Hayden, as to why he did what he did, too.
Overall a really good read.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

PIPER KAY....... WOW! I have no words. This is an EXTRAORDINARY book. You have to read it for yourself. I have no words to describe it. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!

[Qin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an emotionally manipulative roller-coaster with enough in the way of literary values to be read from cover to cover without excessive grinding of mollars (though I rolled my eyes many times at the circuitous roads the plot takes and the poor agency on display in too many events), but I felt that the payback was weak in comparaison to the amount of stoic patience one must equip oneself with in order to live vicarious through Hayden for a few hours. For his trajectory suffers from a tastelessly melodramatic delivery that the mandatory happy ending struggles to erase: the usual contrast between heights of shared love and abysses of adversity has been pushed to extremes by Mrs Kay, for whom everything that bafells her hero had to take massive proportions and be described in excruciating detail, as if his issues and blinkers were contestants in the competition of which impediment would take the heaviest toll on the poor lad. To keep the pot boiling, nay bubbling white-hot, the hackneyed canards of miscommunication, white lies leading to enormous untruths by omission and commission, and all-too-easy reliance on the fight-or-flight instinct so soon as the author decides that things must get hairy, had to show their ugly mug and wreak havoc on the narrative, in gross offense to the basics of psychology. By the time Hayden finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel, I was almost as broken as we are told he is, and for this I cannot thank Mrs Kay. Ransacking Murphy's Law for every little drop of ornerily-written agony that can be squeezed out of it is a formula only fit for hurt-comfort original fanfictions; a comparatively ambitious book ought to aim higher as its writer and publisher are telling the reader to part with a fraction of their hard-won wages.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kisses From Heaven is a tough book to review. It's a heart-breaking tale of abuse, love, and agony.

This story is complex, and reads as separate sections. Unfortunately, it is a tough read from start to finish. I definitely found myself riveted, but in the end, I felt it was missing something. Hayden gets his happily ever after, after YEARS of suffering, but the lack of explanations left me confused and wanting more closure.

This book is about Hayden and his pain. And when I say pain, I mean physical abuse, mental torture, and way too much anguish. This is an agonizing read. A really tough read. You will feel every moment of Hayden's pain and suffering and it will hurt. It is truly a tale with horrific levels of abuse.

It's also a story of love. A love so strong and powerful that nothing else matters. The type of love that is all-consuming and has the power to wreck you repeatedly.

When Hayden and Joseph are first reunited, it's an interesting and fun read, as Joseph's never been with a guy before. When Hayden teaches him about gay sex, it's quite the hot scene!

The rest however, is agonizing. There, I've warned you. Now read at your own risk. But, please note that the writing is phenomenal, as I wouldn't be so upset if the writing wasn't so strong. Kuddos to Piper Kay.

[Elaine Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you looking for a very emotional and intense book Kisses from Heaven is the right one for you. We have Hayden who just lost his father and have been in a very abusive relationship for years. His mother is one of those parents who turn the other cheek and blames him for everything that is going wrong in his relationship. We have Joseph who was his best friend at one time but they haven't seen each other in years. Joseph is someone who that helps Hayden and they fall in love. Joseph has a past and he's keeping from Hayden for his protection.
The story is not a feel good but it's the type of book that you can't put down. You can feel all of Hayden's emotions from start to finish and I love the ending.

[Tracy Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I'm finished reading the book, I'm a mess. So much angst & heartbreak, some physical abuse at beginning. What an emotional ride. I cried way to much as in bawling my eyes out cry, I'm just broken... I want to hug Hayden so many times his life was so hard, he went through a lot & it took him way to long for his HFN/HEA. Thank goodness for Joseph but he was in & out of Hayden's life. Ugh... I'm crying now. So hard to express words I'm still so emotional & it's after 4:30am here. If you wanting to read a heartbreaker book, this is a must read!

[Katie Bugs Kindle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good

I would love to give 5 stars but I feel like there are unanswered questions for me. This really needs a sequel or something in Joseph's point of view. But other wise good read.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good and emotional.. interesting and sexy and heartbreaking in so many spots.. it was a good read and i enjoyed it a lot!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense.

Well, that was certainly different. It has left me with a lot of unanswered questions. A very intense, emotional and heartbreaking read.