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See Me
For Raphe Lombardi, life hasn’t been easy.
Permanently disfigured by a car crash at the age of nine that claimed the lives of his parents, set him on a never ending path of doctors and painful procedures.
“Never judge a book by its cover, Il mio piccolo,” Aunt Sophia would always say, tapping the space above her heart. “Trust what’s inside. Even beauty sometimes has an evil lurking beneath.” Over the years her nickname for me, my little one, was shorted to Mio. Calling me little when I now towered over her five foot frame by more than fourteen inches made it even more adorable to hear her say.
Is it best to see someone for who they truly are, or is it safer to hide in the shadows and avoid risking it all?
Potential triggers: Verbal abuse/bullying, physical abuse, self-loathing, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, dealing with death of loved ones.
See Me is a standalone, erotic, MM romance Novel
Permanently disfigured by a car crash at the age of nine that claimed the lives of his parents, set him on a never ending path of doctors and painful procedures.
“Never judge a book by its cover, Il mio piccolo,” Aunt Sophia would always say, tapping the space above her heart. “Trust what’s inside. Even beauty sometimes has an evil lurking beneath.” Over the years her nickname for me, my little one, was shorted to Mio. Calling me little when I now towered over her five foot frame by more than fourteen inches made it even more adorable to hear her say.
Is it best to see someone for who they truly are, or is it safer to hide in the shadows and avoid risking it all?
Potential triggers: Verbal abuse/bullying, physical abuse, self-loathing, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, dealing with death of loved ones.
See Me is a standalone, erotic, MM romance Novel
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2020
133 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
T.L. Travis
94 books624 followersTL Travis is the published author of a plethora of LGBTQ+ Erotica and Romance musings that have earned her a “Best Selling Author” flag in the US as well as Internationally.
In her spare time, when she’s not weaving steamy webs, she enjoys fishing, wine tasting and people watching. Everyone has a story to tell, half the fun is conjuring what it is.
TL’s surrounded by her 4-legged rescue family, her sons and adorable grandson.
She will continue saving furry friends in need for as long as she can. Tl would like to remind you to “Adopt, not shop.” Saving that lost soul may very well save yours.
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In her spare time, when she’s not weaving steamy webs, she enjoys fishing, wine tasting and people watching. Everyone has a story to tell, half the fun is conjuring what it is.
TL’s surrounded by her 4-legged rescue family, her sons and adorable grandson.
She will continue saving furry friends in need for as long as she can. Tl would like to remind you to “Adopt, not shop.” Saving that lost soul may very well save yours.
tltravis@tltravis.com
https://www.tltravis.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/56449...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/20546...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/54276...
https://www.Twitter.com/tltravis1
https://www.amazon.com/TL-Travis/e/B0...
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/search?q=TL+T...
https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-bo...
https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadsco...
https://www.pinterest.com/tl1474
https://www.instagram.com/TLTravis1
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tl-tr...
https://www.queeromanceink.com/?s=TL+...
https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/t...
https://www.tiktok.com/@tltravisauthor
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMT...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
April 4, 2022
I seldom rate DNFs, but I think this one just deserved a review and a rating. Yes. THAT bad.
Raphe Lombardi was in a car accident when he was nine years old. His parents died and he survived with 75% of his left side burned to crisp.
Fast forward 20 years.
*oops* - nope. Whine through 20 pages of self pity and 20 years and we find Raphe, successful IT guy, sitting on the patio of his two story condo in Seattle. Self-pitying himself again. With a view on the gay bar across the street and the dark alley behind it. Where he sees 4 guys beating up a fifth.
Of course he runs out to help! He is 6 foot 4 (actually he should be 6' 2", but he grew between his self pity and the next scene), and despite him never (ever!) been in a fight, nor any mention of him doing any martial arts training, he beats two of the guys unconscious, two others flee.
Meanwhile the victim, who got kicked in his upper body hard, is also unconscious.
Raphe fishes out his cellphone and calls an ambulance.
SCREEEEECH. No! He does not. WHY WOULD HE?
No, Raphe picks the victim (who should have at least broken ribs, probably some internal injuries) up and brings him into his apartment. Lays him on the couch, cleans up his bloody face and .... and .... OMG! The guy is one of the kids that made fun of him 20 years ago for his scarred ugly looks. This is ... Cooper. One of the kids. From 20 years ago. Cooper. Didn't change a bit, I guess.
Cooper wakes up in the dark room where Raphe sits with his back to him.
"Who are you? What do you look like?" - yes, Cooper gets right down to the important stuff. He gets up and walks around - broken ribs be damned! and recognizes Raphe. From 20 years ago. Even remembers his name.
“Why did you save me?”
“Didn’t you know, that’s what monsters do?” I snidely replied.
“I’m sorry, Raphael,”
Ah, he does know my name.
“We were kids. Can you ever forgive me?”
This was an hour of my life I will never get back!
DNF at only 15%.
Raphe Lombardi was in a car accident when he was nine years old. His parents died and he survived with 75% of his left side burned to crisp.
Fast forward 20 years.
*oops* - nope. Whine through 20 pages of self pity and 20 years and we find Raphe, successful IT guy, sitting on the patio of his two story condo in Seattle. Self-pitying himself again. With a view on the gay bar across the street and the dark alley behind it. Where he sees 4 guys beating up a fifth.
Of course he runs out to help! He is 6 foot 4 (actually he should be 6' 2", but he grew between his self pity and the next scene), and despite him never (ever!) been in a fight, nor any mention of him doing any martial arts training, he beats two of the guys unconscious, two others flee.
Meanwhile the victim, who got kicked in his upper body hard, is also unconscious.
Raphe fishes out his cellphone and calls an ambulance.
SCREEEEECH. No! He does not. WHY WOULD HE?
No, Raphe picks the victim (who should have at least broken ribs, probably some internal injuries) up and brings him into his apartment. Lays him on the couch, cleans up his bloody face and .... and .... OMG! The guy is one of the kids that made fun of him 20 years ago for his scarred ugly looks. This is ... Cooper. One of the kids. From 20 years ago. Cooper. Didn't change a bit, I guess.
Cooper wakes up in the dark room where Raphe sits with his back to him.
"Who are you? What do you look like?" - yes, Cooper gets right down to the important stuff. He gets up and walks around - broken ribs be damned! and recognizes Raphe. From 20 years ago. Even remembers his name.
“Why did you save me?”
“Didn’t you know, that’s what monsters do?” I snidely replied.
“I’m sorry, Raphael,”
Ah, he does know my name.
“We were kids. Can you ever forgive me?”
This was an hour of my life I will never get back!
DNF at only 15%.
July 16, 2020
T.L. Travis’ heart-wrenching novel will leave the reader hopeful for new beginnings.
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 12, 2020
Raphael and Cooper.
Quite an extraordinary story. The hurt of being abandoned by all the kids, no friends, and called a monster because of how you look, was extremely painful to watch. Permanently disfigured by a car accident where Raphael lost his parents and he survived heavily injured.
This story tells his life, how he gets through his day, months, years. It tells where he runs into a homophobic bashing and saves a guy who seems to be one of his bullies from school, Cooper.
Cooper finds his way to Raphael pained heart, where trust is a big issue.
Their time together was something special. Raphael’s insecurities and his big fight against himself were well designed
And dang there were several moments where the most perfect emotional sentences were written. Straight into my heart, my eyes blurred by the kindness, by honesty.
Sparkling friends and kind families were a good addition.
Two beautifully flawed men, finding their one and only.
A very well voiced story, captivating, sweet, hurtful, with strong personalities who had an enormously strength to survive.
Quite an extraordinary story. The hurt of being abandoned by all the kids, no friends, and called a monster because of how you look, was extremely painful to watch. Permanently disfigured by a car accident where Raphael lost his parents and he survived heavily injured.
This story tells his life, how he gets through his day, months, years. It tells where he runs into a homophobic bashing and saves a guy who seems to be one of his bullies from school, Cooper.
Cooper finds his way to Raphael pained heart, where trust is a big issue.
Their time together was something special. Raphael’s insecurities and his big fight against himself were well designed
And dang there were several moments where the most perfect emotional sentences were written. Straight into my heart, my eyes blurred by the kindness, by honesty.
Sparkling friends and kind families were a good addition.
Two beautifully flawed men, finding their one and only.
A very well voiced story, captivating, sweet, hurtful, with strong personalities who had an enormously strength to survive.
February 14, 2020
The hands of fate and the cruelty of insensitive young minds breaks the heart of a young boy and the man he becomes. TL Travis has outdone herself with See Me, a simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful rendition of a second chance at life, love and revitalization.
Raphael (Raphe) Lombardi’s life changed in a single moment. At the tender age of nine a crash steals his parents and leaves him with scar tissue covering seventy-five percent of his left side. The torment of youth and self-loathing have him wondering if he would be better off using the Glock resting in his nightstand. Then he would be reunited with his parents, no longer the “Freak”, no longer the “Beast”.
Why can’t they see me for who I really am?
See me for the love I can bring.
See me…
The real me.
The man that I am.
At the very beginning of See Me these words stole my breath and heart, instantly capturing my complete attention through a pair of misty eyes. The burns, pain, and surgeries are enough for a young boy to endure. Throw in the taunts and cruel words from the neighboring kids and it is no wonder the man Raphe becomes lives a lonely life lost in his books, job and video games.
The amazing thirty-year-old man beneath the damaged cover emerges one night. From his balcony Raphe witnesses a hate crime occurring in the shadows across the way. Without reservation nor thought to his own safety he rushes to the young man’s defense. Unknowingly this one act of selfless kindness not only once again brings the torment of the past front and center, but sets his life on a trajectory he could only have dreamt about.
Cooper Dryden has his own share of failures, loss, and self-loathing. Being the brunt of a hate crime is only the icing on the preverbal cake. He feels his life slipping away as he utters what he fears will be his last words, “Please, help me”. When he comes to, he is in the company of a man who knows him. And when recognition dawns, Cooper realizes he knows the man as well. Years ago, their paths crossed in much the same way, but with words causing the pain instead of physical blows. When Cooper leaves a note for Raphe, it further solidifies the delicious torture of See Me.
Words can’t express how much your thoughtless act meant to me. You saved me, plain and simple, and whether or not you like to hear it you’re a hero. One who saved someone who didn’t deserve your compassion.
For years I wondered what happened to that little boy who surfaced from time to time. The little boy who clearly fought a tough battle but wanted so badly to play with the other kids.
You didn’t deserve our harsh words or acts then, and you don’t deserve them now. I will forever be indebted to you. I know you hate me, and I understand why. But if I can ever help you in any way, please let me know.
Raphe and Cooper’s journey is full of obstacles; and, gawd, you agonize right alongside Raphe. Yet, as you watch, Cooper brings Raphe the man back to life and you “see” both men. Sure, they have their ups and downs, but these two guys bring out the best in each other. Raphe’s Aunt Sophia’s words of wisdom, “children can be cruel, Mio. But there is always hope that they’ll become a better adult,” ring loud with each and every step they take.
Words cannot convey the feelings and emotions See Me wrung from me and there won’t be a review written that truly depicts the full impact See Me elicits. It is early 2020 and I’m certain that TL Travis’ See Me will remain at the top of my 2020 reads. I just know we will hear more from Raphe and Cooper when their hilarious diva friend, Adrian gets his time on the page. See you soon guys!
Raphael (Raphe) Lombardi’s life changed in a single moment. At the tender age of nine a crash steals his parents and leaves him with scar tissue covering seventy-five percent of his left side. The torment of youth and self-loathing have him wondering if he would be better off using the Glock resting in his nightstand. Then he would be reunited with his parents, no longer the “Freak”, no longer the “Beast”.
Why can’t they see me for who I really am?
See me for the love I can bring.
See me…
The real me.
The man that I am.
At the very beginning of See Me these words stole my breath and heart, instantly capturing my complete attention through a pair of misty eyes. The burns, pain, and surgeries are enough for a young boy to endure. Throw in the taunts and cruel words from the neighboring kids and it is no wonder the man Raphe becomes lives a lonely life lost in his books, job and video games.
The amazing thirty-year-old man beneath the damaged cover emerges one night. From his balcony Raphe witnesses a hate crime occurring in the shadows across the way. Without reservation nor thought to his own safety he rushes to the young man’s defense. Unknowingly this one act of selfless kindness not only once again brings the torment of the past front and center, but sets his life on a trajectory he could only have dreamt about.
Cooper Dryden has his own share of failures, loss, and self-loathing. Being the brunt of a hate crime is only the icing on the preverbal cake. He feels his life slipping away as he utters what he fears will be his last words, “Please, help me”. When he comes to, he is in the company of a man who knows him. And when recognition dawns, Cooper realizes he knows the man as well. Years ago, their paths crossed in much the same way, but with words causing the pain instead of physical blows. When Cooper leaves a note for Raphe, it further solidifies the delicious torture of See Me.
Words can’t express how much your thoughtless act meant to me. You saved me, plain and simple, and whether or not you like to hear it you’re a hero. One who saved someone who didn’t deserve your compassion.
For years I wondered what happened to that little boy who surfaced from time to time. The little boy who clearly fought a tough battle but wanted so badly to play with the other kids.
You didn’t deserve our harsh words or acts then, and you don’t deserve them now. I will forever be indebted to you. I know you hate me, and I understand why. But if I can ever help you in any way, please let me know.
Raphe and Cooper’s journey is full of obstacles; and, gawd, you agonize right alongside Raphe. Yet, as you watch, Cooper brings Raphe the man back to life and you “see” both men. Sure, they have their ups and downs, but these two guys bring out the best in each other. Raphe’s Aunt Sophia’s words of wisdom, “children can be cruel, Mio. But there is always hope that they’ll become a better adult,” ring loud with each and every step they take.
Words cannot convey the feelings and emotions See Me wrung from me and there won’t be a review written that truly depicts the full impact See Me elicits. It is early 2020 and I’m certain that TL Travis’ See Me will remain at the top of my 2020 reads. I just know we will hear more from Raphe and Cooper when their hilarious diva friend, Adrian gets his time on the page. See you soon guys!
dnf
July 2, 2020DNF @ 15%
Slow and awkward writing style.
Slow and awkward writing style.
May 9, 2020
My heart went out to both characters but Raphe broke my heart. I loved him, he overcame so much. Excellent book, touching characters.
February 17, 2020
¸.•´¸★*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤Perfect Imperfections.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★
"Everyone has their demons to fight. Unfortunately, most of mine live on the surface for all to see and cast judgment upon." ~Raphe
"The imperfections you see are what makes you perfect to me." ~Cooper
I promised myself I wouldn't cry...and I didn't. This was a feat... an emotional, roller coaster of a ride and I am happy with the way it turned out.
Two broken souls find each other in the most unconventional way, only to realize they have history. Can the present heal the past? Can they overcome the hurt and the pain? For Raphael and Cooper, it takes more than mere words. It takes belief, touch and action to prove that the best is yet to come, you just have to fight for it.
I felt as if I were waiting on this book since the author mentioned it and now that I have it in my greedy little hands, I will recommend it 100%. Go grab you a copy and enjoy.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
(¸.★¨*.¸¸.•`★¤Perfect Imperfections.¤★¨*.¸¸.*ˑ˞★
"Everyone has their demons to fight. Unfortunately, most of mine live on the surface for all to see and cast judgment upon." ~Raphe
"The imperfections you see are what makes you perfect to me." ~Cooper
I promised myself I wouldn't cry...and I didn't. This was a feat... an emotional, roller coaster of a ride and I am happy with the way it turned out.
Two broken souls find each other in the most unconventional way, only to realize they have history. Can the present heal the past? Can they overcome the hurt and the pain? For Raphael and Cooper, it takes more than mere words. It takes belief, touch and action to prove that the best is yet to come, you just have to fight for it.
I felt as if I were waiting on this book since the author mentioned it and now that I have it in my greedy little hands, I will recommend it 100%. Go grab you a copy and enjoy.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
dnf
April 30, 2020I had to stop, this was just not a well-developed story. I'm just so unconvinced by the characters. I honestly felt like this was some Beauty & the Beast trope and just really hated how it was executed. The two leads were just milquetoast toast. Rafe is so wrapped up his trauma that he doesn't see anything in the world and then along comes a childhood tormentor and he just opens the door and lets him in. Huh? Whatever .. it was a DNF because I just did not care enough to keep reading past 50%.
May 6, 2020
I’m a sucker for a good damaged character story. Here, the blurb gives a pretty clear picture of what Raphe has endured and continues to endure.
Raphe lives a successful but rather reclusive life. He still has a high degree of anxiety and self esteem/body issues and sees a therapist regularly to deal with them.
Imagine the irony of him saving one of his childhood bullies from a hate crime. People change quite a bit from when they were kids though, and thankfully, Raphe gives him a chance.
Even though the two take cautious steps forward with their relationship, they hit a few snags. Just as things seem to be back on track, Raphe is injured, but that is when the story changes direction and everything that seemed to be causing roadblocks seemed to crumble away.
But I really enjoyed these two together, watching them fit together and fall in love. The main theme seemed to be that how people see themselves is not the same as how others see them, and I enjoyed that aspect as well.
I’ve enjoyed this author before and continue to look forward to more in the future.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
February 10, 2020
SPOILERS
Raphe lost his parents when he was nine. Surviving the accident was just the beginning. The insurmountable pain he endured was crushing. Sustaining burns over 70% of his left side he was considered a freak. Oh how cruel kids can be. He was only 9 when this happened. When he dared venture outside the neighborhood kids would taunt him .Solitude became his friend along with books and video games. At the age of thirty, still alone, staring out from his condo balcony, he witnesses a hate beating taking place. He intervened and the person he rescued is none other than one of the kids from long ago. Cooper sees him and slowly but not easily Raphe begins to let someone in. They both begin to feel things for each other and Raphe gets spooked and sends Cooper away. Realizing his mistake and the fact he did it out of fear he tries to rectify the mess he created. Cooper forgives, takes him back and they begin to build their life. A tragedy tries to threaten their happiness but instead draws them closer . Raphe finally realizes Cooper Sees Him. The real him. This is a beautiful story of learning to look beyond the physical and seeing the real person inside. I loved Raphe and Cooper!
Raphe lost his parents when he was nine. Surviving the accident was just the beginning. The insurmountable pain he endured was crushing. Sustaining burns over 70% of his left side he was considered a freak. Oh how cruel kids can be. He was only 9 when this happened. When he dared venture outside the neighborhood kids would taunt him .Solitude became his friend along with books and video games. At the age of thirty, still alone, staring out from his condo balcony, he witnesses a hate beating taking place. He intervened and the person he rescued is none other than one of the kids from long ago. Cooper sees him and slowly but not easily Raphe begins to let someone in. They both begin to feel things for each other and Raphe gets spooked and sends Cooper away. Realizing his mistake and the fact he did it out of fear he tries to rectify the mess he created. Cooper forgives, takes him back and they begin to build their life. A tragedy tries to threaten their happiness but instead draws them closer . Raphe finally realizes Cooper Sees Him. The real him. This is a beautiful story of learning to look beyond the physical and seeing the real person inside. I loved Raphe and Cooper!
February 17, 2020
SEE ME IS MAGNIFICENT
This is a MAGNIFICENT story about how people see themselves. Raphael was scared by a childhood accident he almost didn't survive. Cooper had lost his Mom at an early age and his father worked long hours. Raphael and Cooper knew each other as children but their paths never truly crossed. This story shows the difference between children and the adults they eventually grow to be. It's about how we see ourselves compared to how others view us. This story moved me, touched me and showed me some truths about myself. What a MAGNIFICENT story. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!
This is a MAGNIFICENT story about how people see themselves. Raphael was scared by a childhood accident he almost didn't survive. Cooper had lost his Mom at an early age and his father worked long hours. Raphael and Cooper knew each other as children but their paths never truly crossed. This story shows the difference between children and the adults they eventually grow to be. It's about how we see ourselves compared to how others view us. This story moved me, touched me and showed me some truths about myself. What a MAGNIFICENT story. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!!
February 14, 2020
All the ugly crying
Oh these sweet men! Raphe was one of my favorite characters, disfigured as a child by a drunk driver and tortured by his peers this loner was heartbreaking. But watching Cooper be so caring and thoughtful as Raphe opened his heart was swoon worthy.
The trigger warnings at the end of the blurb are no joke. There is some intense stuff happening within the pages of this book. The night club scene was one of the hardest I’ve ever had to read.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to more books by the brilliant author
Oh these sweet men! Raphe was one of my favorite characters, disfigured as a child by a drunk driver and tortured by his peers this loner was heartbreaking. But watching Cooper be so caring and thoughtful as Raphe opened his heart was swoon worthy.
The trigger warnings at the end of the blurb are no joke. There is some intense stuff happening within the pages of this book. The night club scene was one of the hardest I’ve ever had to read.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to more books by the brilliant author
February 15, 2020
This beautiful, grab-you-by-the-feels, emotionally charged, raw, gritty, gripping, intense, poignant, powerful, incredible, fantastic, heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful, wonderful, lovely, tug at the heartstrings, definitely different, fresh, original, made-me-shed-tears-of-both-sadness-and-joy, completely unexpected, and totally awesome story is now at the top of my "favorite books of all times" list. I have only one thing to say.....get this book ASAP!!!
February 29, 2020
Interesting
A nice story about letting go and trusting others. It was also about forgiveness. The main characters were interesting both with baggage that looked differently to those who were looking. One went through more than anyone should have endured but had the support of his small family.
A nice story about letting go and trusting others. It was also about forgiveness. The main characters were interesting both with baggage that looked differently to those who were looking. One went through more than anyone should have endured but had the support of his small family.
May 12, 2020
love this so much.. it kinda reminds me of beauty and the beast.. it was sexy and amazing.. the characters are so deep and sweet...i hated how raphe was treated.. he has a heart of gold.. and i loved him so much... cooper is so much fun and curious.. kept me happy and interested. i loved it all
February 20, 2020
3.5 STARS
This ran a little slow for me. The dialogue between, well, everybody actually, just didn’t flow smoothly and I found myself skimming.
This ran a little slow for me. The dialogue between, well, everybody actually, just didn’t flow smoothly and I found myself skimming.
February 12, 2023
2.5 stars. I like this author but I found this book frustrating that it used a tragic event (that may have been preventable if they had reported the original incident to the police) for the relationship, and the plot couldn’t suspend disbelief sufficiently on how they met and interacted, given their history. I liked the characters but not enough.
Read
October 26, 2022MISSING A VERY MAJOR CONTENT WARNING: includes a Pulse-esque nightclub shooting and its aftermath.
Not mentioning that is a big deal!
Not mentioning that is a big deal!
March 21, 2020
See Me
Raphael I see you. You are an amazing character and TL wrote you and your story so well. Cooper I love you too.
Raphael I see you. You are an amazing character and TL wrote you and your story so well. Cooper I love you too.
February 10, 2021
DNF @ 5%.
I couldn’t make it past the first chapter.... it’s just pages and pages of telling us background info. There could have been a way to have more showing. Or some dialogue.
And then there is Travis being made out to be some kind of superstar. He was a whiz kid at video games and would email glitches to developers. He finished school at 15. He makes a living “living building computers, programs, websites, and doing online marketing and technical consulting for major corporations”. He is also developing an app to report crime and to help with suicide prevention. He also does woodworking for a hobby, and makes semi-famous YouTube videos which have resulted in him getting a lot of voice acting roles in commercials etc because of his silky voice. Good thing he has burns covering much of his body, otherwise he’d be unbearably unflawed.
I couldn’t make it past the first chapter.... it’s just pages and pages of telling us background info. There could have been a way to have more showing. Or some dialogue.
And then there is Travis being made out to be some kind of superstar. He was a whiz kid at video games and would email glitches to developers. He finished school at 15. He makes a living “living building computers, programs, websites, and doing online marketing and technical consulting for major corporations”. He is also developing an app to report crime and to help with suicide prevention. He also does woodworking for a hobby, and makes semi-famous YouTube videos which have resulted in him getting a lot of voice acting roles in commercials etc because of his silky voice. Good thing he has burns covering much of his body, otherwise he’d be unbearably unflawed.
May 16, 2021
4.5 stars for a fast paced story told with both povs with feels.
A great start and I feel for Raphael right away to what he's been through and still does. A dramatic first sighting of both MCs as Raphe comes to the aid of Cooper. Yah they knew each other in schooling and weren't friends back then.
A trust and learning on both their sides to let the guards down to love. Raphe's chemistry sizzles for Cooper and its reciprocated back. Yah Adrian is a force to be reckoned with. lol
Includes triggers to be noted.
Raphael 29 years was involved an horrific accident and now lives with the burns disfigures. Raphael had many talents for I.T to woodwork art.
"Why can’t they see me for who I really am?
See me for the love I can bring. See me… The real me. The man that I am."
A great start and I feel for Raphael right away to what he's been through and still does. A dramatic first sighting of both MCs as Raphe comes to the aid of Cooper. Yah they knew each other in schooling and weren't friends back then.
A trust and learning on both their sides to let the guards down to love. Raphe's chemistry sizzles for Cooper and its reciprocated back. Yah Adrian is a force to be reckoned with. lol
Includes triggers to be noted.
Raphael 29 years was involved an horrific accident and now lives with the burns disfigures. Raphael had many talents for I.T to woodwork art.
"Why can’t they see me for who I really am?
See me for the love I can bring. See me… The real me. The man that I am."
February 15, 2020
So many missed opportunities
The premise piqued my interest and I dug in with this only to shake my head and begin skimming after 60%. The insta-love was too much, the history of one being a childhood bully was a non issue and never even discussed, a hate crime not reported to police only to allow more hate crimes, injuries that healed way to quick, and the only repercussions to a violent criminal is a kick in the nuts and then it's all good.
This had promise but stayed so surface that I can't say I'd recommend.
The premise piqued my interest and I dug in with this only to shake my head and begin skimming after 60%. The insta-love was too much, the history of one being a childhood bully was a non issue and never even discussed, a hate crime not reported to police only to allow more hate crimes, injuries that healed way to quick, and the only repercussions to a violent criminal is a kick in the nuts and then it's all good.
This had promise but stayed so surface that I can't say I'd recommend.
dnf
January 6, 2021DNF @49% ... I wanted to like this one so damn much, because it had a ton of factors that just DO it for me. Kudos to the author for coming up with the storyline, but for me, the execution felt too clunky and awkward, and the numerous editing errors kept pulling me out of the story until I finally gave up. 😕
July 7, 2020
Meh. Not for me this one. Too much insta everything, awkward pacing, sloppy spelling or wrongly used words (elude / allude).
April 29, 2020
Before we get started, I need to warn you of several things. One you are going to need tissues from page one. Two, pay attention to the trigger warnings in the blurb. It’s no joke. This gets dark and heavy at some points because of things the main MC has gone through and is still going through so please, please be aware.
Now, I loved the heck out of this story. Although it’s got a lot of darkness in it because of the subjects involved, it is still a beautiful story. And a true one when the phrase says, ‘never judge a book by it’s cover’.
The opening line of the blurb is so true. So very true. Raphe has had the life of horror novels. Caught in a car accident that left most of his body scarred and disfigured and losing his parents, has sent him on a spiral that 20 years later, he’s still trying to cope with. It didn’t help the whole time as a child he craved to be with others but he was bullied for his burns and scars. And that left its mark as well. Now at almost 30, he’s very successful in business, but it’s all behind the scenes. He’s basically a hermit. Any contact he needs with others is done in the dark and with no touching at all. Until one night on his balcony, he sees four men beating one. And he jumps in to save him. And all his old nightmares came to the front. Because he knows this man. And he’s part of the reason some wounds run deep. When Cooper realizes who his rescuer is, he remembers being the little boy who should have stopped the others from bullying. He was always curious about Raphe and now he knows he blew it. But something about Raphe is calling to Coop, and he wants to make things right. If only he can get past the layers to the man underneath and show him that to Coop, his scars just make him who he is.
I guess what got me the most from the beginning, wasn’t just that he was disfigured and scarred or that he lost his parents. For me, I started bawling the minute he was bullied. He couldn’t help what had happened to him, and all he wanted was a little friend. And it pisses me off to no end, how parents teach their children it’s ok to be cruel. Because that very much is a taught behavior. It’s natural to be nurturing and caring, maybe curious, but to be cruel is wrong. And my heart broke for that little boy. And I don’t for one minute blame him for who he became as a man. It hurts less. But I also understand where his therapist was coming from. When you are so lonely, you have to open yourself up a bit to let someone in. And that is a VERY hard thing to do. But I love Raphe, because even with everything he’s been through, he’s done his best to keep going. There were dark days, don’t get me wrong. And he had to resort to some drastic things to get through the pain, but he survived. He’s a survivor. And every time he faces the world, to me he’s a hero. Because he’s doing his best to overcome everything that has crippled him emotionally. And sometimes that’s worse than the physical. Not in this case but often. And while the physical scars may heal, the emotional and mental ones attack when we aren’t looking. So yes, I love Raphe for trying. Even when he felt he wasn’t good enough, even at his lowest point, he tried to reach out to someone to keep going. And sometimes that’s all we have. Because he truly wanted to get better. To be better.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t take a huge thing to be a hero. And that was the case for me with Raphe. The minute he kept trying despite all odds, every single day, to me he is a hero. Because to face your fears, your doubts and the cruelty of others, is a huge thing. And to keep going in spite of it. Doesn’t mean life is easy, but it makes you strong and courageous. And I admire the heck out him for it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Now, I loved the heck out of this story. Although it’s got a lot of darkness in it because of the subjects involved, it is still a beautiful story. And a true one when the phrase says, ‘never judge a book by it’s cover’.
The opening line of the blurb is so true. So very true. Raphe has had the life of horror novels. Caught in a car accident that left most of his body scarred and disfigured and losing his parents, has sent him on a spiral that 20 years later, he’s still trying to cope with. It didn’t help the whole time as a child he craved to be with others but he was bullied for his burns and scars. And that left its mark as well. Now at almost 30, he’s very successful in business, but it’s all behind the scenes. He’s basically a hermit. Any contact he needs with others is done in the dark and with no touching at all. Until one night on his balcony, he sees four men beating one. And he jumps in to save him. And all his old nightmares came to the front. Because he knows this man. And he’s part of the reason some wounds run deep. When Cooper realizes who his rescuer is, he remembers being the little boy who should have stopped the others from bullying. He was always curious about Raphe and now he knows he blew it. But something about Raphe is calling to Coop, and he wants to make things right. If only he can get past the layers to the man underneath and show him that to Coop, his scars just make him who he is.
I guess what got me the most from the beginning, wasn’t just that he was disfigured and scarred or that he lost his parents. For me, I started bawling the minute he was bullied. He couldn’t help what had happened to him, and all he wanted was a little friend. And it pisses me off to no end, how parents teach their children it’s ok to be cruel. Because that very much is a taught behavior. It’s natural to be nurturing and caring, maybe curious, but to be cruel is wrong. And my heart broke for that little boy. And I don’t for one minute blame him for who he became as a man. It hurts less. But I also understand where his therapist was coming from. When you are so lonely, you have to open yourself up a bit to let someone in. And that is a VERY hard thing to do. But I love Raphe, because even with everything he’s been through, he’s done his best to keep going. There were dark days, don’t get me wrong. And he had to resort to some drastic things to get through the pain, but he survived. He’s a survivor. And every time he faces the world, to me he’s a hero. Because he’s doing his best to overcome everything that has crippled him emotionally. And sometimes that’s worse than the physical. Not in this case but often. And while the physical scars may heal, the emotional and mental ones attack when we aren’t looking. So yes, I love Raphe for trying. Even when he felt he wasn’t good enough, even at his lowest point, he tried to reach out to someone to keep going. And sometimes that’s all we have. Because he truly wanted to get better. To be better.
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t take a huge thing to be a hero. And that was the case for me with Raphe. The minute he kept trying despite all odds, every single day, to me he is a hero. Because to face your fears, your doubts and the cruelty of others, is a huge thing. And to keep going in spite of it. Doesn’t mean life is easy, but it makes you strong and courageous. And I admire the heck out him for it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
September 14, 2025
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: Verbal abuse, bullying, physical abuse, self-loathing, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, dealing with death of loved ones.
For Raphe Lombardi, life hasn’t been easy. Permanently disfigured as the result of a car crash at the age of nine that claimed the lives of his parents and had set him on a never-ending path of doctors and painful surgical procedures. “Never judge a book by its cover, Il mio piccolo,” Aunt Sophia would always say, tapping the space above her heart. “Trust what’s inside. Even beauty sometimes has an evil lurking beneath.” Over the years her nickname for me, "my little one", was shorted to "Mio". Calling me little when I now towered over her five-foot frame by more than fourteen inches made it even more adorable to hear her say it. Is it best to see someone for who they truly are, or was it safer for my heart to hide in the shadows and avoid the pain?
The old proverb that we probably all grew up hearing...I heard it from my grandmother in both English and Gaelic..."Pretty is as pretty does" is the main theme of this story. Of course, it means If you're a kind, loving person, you are pretty. However, even if you are very nice looking, but are not good to others, then you are not truly a beautiful person. This proverb may not have been the entire basis of this story, but it rang throughout, and I clearly heard my grandmother's voice when I read it.
Raphe had had horrible treatment from childhood well into his adult years, due to his misfortune as a kid. Something that was in no way his fault. The car crash was not his fault. The severe burns to more than half of his body...was not his fault. My heart broke for this poor boy/man. He was 9-years old when this accident happened, so he had suffered this torment for more than half his life. Growing up, people didn't take any of that into consideration when their paths crossed with him. All they saw was a "freak". The poor kid/man was never given a chance, nor did anyone once ever take a chance to get to know him. Until.......
Cooper Dryden was one of the name-calling mean kids from Raphe's childhood. He may not have done or said anything directly to Raphe, but he never stood up for him either. So...at no time in Cooper's life did he deserve any kindness from Raphe. But remember..."pretty is as pretty does". Raphe shocked Cooper one night when he saved Cooper's life from a hate crime. Raphe recognized Cooper from his childhood, yet he still acted like the "better person" and helped him when he could have simply walked away and left him to die.
Cooper knew who his hero was, and now he no longer saw the ugly, burned "freak" from his childhood, but the most beautiful man he had ever seen. It was the Ralphe's beautiful actions of that allowed Cooper to finally see past the scared, burned, ugly exterior and see the beautiful man beneath that was Raphe. Raphe never thought he would ever find kindness, much less happiness and true love ...but that one selfless act changed his life forever.
This story is a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Raphe and Cooper finally come to the point in their lives where acceptance drowns out the fear. Cooper accepts Raphe as the beautiful, kind person he is, and Raphe accepts the kindness and love that he so truly deserved. From that point on, the two begin the soulmate journey to the rest of their lives.
It's not an easy read but stick with it. It's well worth it.
For Raphe Lombardi, life hasn’t been easy. Permanently disfigured as the result of a car crash at the age of nine that claimed the lives of his parents and had set him on a never-ending path of doctors and painful surgical procedures. “Never judge a book by its cover, Il mio piccolo,” Aunt Sophia would always say, tapping the space above her heart. “Trust what’s inside. Even beauty sometimes has an evil lurking beneath.” Over the years her nickname for me, "my little one", was shorted to "Mio". Calling me little when I now towered over her five-foot frame by more than fourteen inches made it even more adorable to hear her say it. Is it best to see someone for who they truly are, or was it safer for my heart to hide in the shadows and avoid the pain?
The old proverb that we probably all grew up hearing...I heard it from my grandmother in both English and Gaelic..."Pretty is as pretty does" is the main theme of this story. Of course, it means If you're a kind, loving person, you are pretty. However, even if you are very nice looking, but are not good to others, then you are not truly a beautiful person. This proverb may not have been the entire basis of this story, but it rang throughout, and I clearly heard my grandmother's voice when I read it.
Raphe had had horrible treatment from childhood well into his adult years, due to his misfortune as a kid. Something that was in no way his fault. The car crash was not his fault. The severe burns to more than half of his body...was not his fault. My heart broke for this poor boy/man. He was 9-years old when this accident happened, so he had suffered this torment for more than half his life. Growing up, people didn't take any of that into consideration when their paths crossed with him. All they saw was a "freak". The poor kid/man was never given a chance, nor did anyone once ever take a chance to get to know him. Until.......
Cooper Dryden was one of the name-calling mean kids from Raphe's childhood. He may not have done or said anything directly to Raphe, but he never stood up for him either. So...at no time in Cooper's life did he deserve any kindness from Raphe. But remember..."pretty is as pretty does". Raphe shocked Cooper one night when he saved Cooper's life from a hate crime. Raphe recognized Cooper from his childhood, yet he still acted like the "better person" and helped him when he could have simply walked away and left him to die.
Cooper knew who his hero was, and now he no longer saw the ugly, burned "freak" from his childhood, but the most beautiful man he had ever seen. It was the Ralphe's beautiful actions of that allowed Cooper to finally see past the scared, burned, ugly exterior and see the beautiful man beneath that was Raphe. Raphe never thought he would ever find kindness, much less happiness and true love ...but that one selfless act changed his life forever.
This story is a roller coaster ride of twists and turns. Raphe and Cooper finally come to the point in their lives where acceptance drowns out the fear. Cooper accepts Raphe as the beautiful, kind person he is, and Raphe accepts the kindness and love that he so truly deserved. From that point on, the two begin the soulmate journey to the rest of their lives.
It's not an easy read but stick with it. It's well worth it.
May 14, 2020
Simply lovely !
What a heart warming tale of overcoming one's past demons, stepping out of your comfort zone to expose your heart to love, the struggles that come along with self acceptance and finding the one....
The one who may not be perfect, maybe flawed and haunted by the ghosts of their own making, but will be willing to look beyond..not to cope/compromise, but stand by your side as the knight-in-not-so-shining armor.
'See me' is a beautifully written story of Raphael who's shut himself off from the world and it's unforgiving, judging eyes.
The story follows his journey as he not only finds true love, but triumphs over the nightmares of his past.
I really like the way the author highlighted the importance of therapy, caring counselors and kind souls that will continue to care, no matter what.
I loved every bit of it. Right from their initial meetings, the way Cooper put Ralph's fears to rest, the way he handled the lows, expressed his undying love to Raph. The power of real love. So beautiful.
Words..such beautiful words.
I loved the way they discovered physical intimacy in a slow, tender but so erotic-to-read fashion ( That frottage scene was *HOT*).
Complemented by the authors brilliant writing style and a great cast of side characters (I really do wanna read Coop's bestie-Adrian's Story), this novel is just the perfect hurt comfort read and will leave you with a big smile of your face and with a yearning for such true love.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a well-written, hurt-comfort read.
ARC provided in exchange for a honest review thanks to GayRomanceReviews
What a heart warming tale of overcoming one's past demons, stepping out of your comfort zone to expose your heart to love, the struggles that come along with self acceptance and finding the one....
The one who may not be perfect, maybe flawed and haunted by the ghosts of their own making, but will be willing to look beyond..not to cope/compromise, but stand by your side as the knight-in-not-so-shining armor.
"If someone really, truly loves you for who you are, then they will take the good along with the bad. Sometimes it’s that love– a love that's so honest you feel it all the way down to your bones, that helps us grow and work through that which plagues us.”
'See me' is a beautifully written story of Raphael who's shut himself off from the world and it's unforgiving, judging eyes.
"I wasn’t born damaged, but tragedy made me the man I am. On the outside, at least, which is where you’ll find the so-called…Beast."
The story follows his journey as he not only finds true love, but triumphs over the nightmares of his past.
I really like the way the author highlighted the importance of therapy, caring counselors and kind souls that will continue to care, no matter what.
I loved every bit of it. Right from their initial meetings, the way Cooper put Ralph's fears to rest, the way he handled the lows, expressed his undying love to Raph. The power of real love. So beautiful.
"“This is not the man I’m in love with. This is your past, the part that made you the strong man you are today. The scars are proof you’re a survivor. A warrior. Look past them, into those gorgeous chestnut eyes. So full of life. When the light catches them just right, gold flecks appear. It's mesmerizing. I get lost in them more times than I could tell you."
Words..such beautiful words.
I loved the way they discovered physical intimacy in a slow, tender but so erotic-to-read fashion ( That frottage scene was *HOT*).
Complemented by the authors brilliant writing style and a great cast of side characters (I really do wanna read Coop's bestie-Adrian's Story), this novel is just the perfect hurt comfort read and will leave you with a big smile of your face and with a yearning for such true love.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a well-written, hurt-comfort read.
ARC provided in exchange for a honest review thanks to GayRomanceReviews
April 3, 2023
2.5 stars
There was a beautiful story here that got lost in some terrible writing (and this is a “best selling author?).
Raphael was an extremely broken man due to a tragic childhood and the general cruelty of children and adults alike. Cooper falls hard for him and they begin the very difficult journey to their eventual and well-deserved happy ending.
But in spite of a storyline that should have pulled me deeply into the story, I found the writing kept throwing me out. The author really needs to get over their love affair with the comma; it was sooooo overused.
There were so many oddities and inconsistencies throughout, especially with timelines. For example: Raphael goes to his aunt’s for Sunday dinner, three days later he get a supply order delivered to his garage (he lives in a condo). He works in his garage shop (again, he lives in a condo), then works out and thinks about a steak dinner as the perfect date, stating “It is Saturday night afterall.” Huh? Unless I missed something, it should be Wednesday! And I never knew there were condos with their own individual, and attached, garages!
Early on, the story introduces Dr. Taylor, Raphael’s psychologist. With only one exception, where she is referred to as a psychiatrist, the psychologist label is consisently applied. There are also frequent mentions of the medications Dr. Taylor has prescribed for him for anxiety and depression. The problem is that, is psycholists cannot prescribe medication, only psychiatrist can.
Stange phrasings appear which I presume are really editing errors. Such as: “Memories without Raphael beside me. Something I hoped to one day make permanent.”. Huh? Or: “graciously lubing my cock.” Or “one fail swoop” vicd one fell swoop.
But the ultimate Oh No No No! moment that just ruined what little kept me hanging on was that whole New Year’s Eve mess. It was not something that was appropriate for this kind of story. It took me completely out of the story and into the real life news cycle. Horrible! The trigger warnings in the blurb really should include extreme violence, terrorism and murder.
There was a beautiful story here that got lost in some terrible writing (and this is a “best selling author?).
Raphael was an extremely broken man due to a tragic childhood and the general cruelty of children and adults alike. Cooper falls hard for him and they begin the very difficult journey to their eventual and well-deserved happy ending.
But in spite of a storyline that should have pulled me deeply into the story, I found the writing kept throwing me out. The author really needs to get over their love affair with the comma; it was sooooo overused.
There were so many oddities and inconsistencies throughout, especially with timelines. For example: Raphael goes to his aunt’s for Sunday dinner, three days later he get a supply order delivered to his garage (he lives in a condo). He works in his garage shop (again, he lives in a condo), then works out and thinks about a steak dinner as the perfect date, stating “It is Saturday night afterall.” Huh? Unless I missed something, it should be Wednesday! And I never knew there were condos with their own individual, and attached, garages!
Early on, the story introduces Dr. Taylor, Raphael’s psychologist. With only one exception, where she is referred to as a psychiatrist, the psychologist label is consisently applied. There are also frequent mentions of the medications Dr. Taylor has prescribed for him for anxiety and depression. The problem is that, is psycholists cannot prescribe medication, only psychiatrist can.
Stange phrasings appear which I presume are really editing errors. Such as: “Memories without Raphael beside me. Something I hoped to one day make permanent.”. Huh? Or: “graciously lubing my cock.” Or “one fail swoop” vicd one fell swoop.
But the ultimate Oh No No No! moment that just ruined what little kept me hanging on was that whole New Year’s Eve mess. It was not something that was appropriate for this kind of story. It took me completely out of the story and into the real life news cycle. Horrible! The trigger warnings in the blurb really should include extreme violence, terrorism and murder.
February 16, 2020
4.5 Stars!
Okay, so first off, read the trigger warnings, because trust me, they're there for a reason.
I loved Raphael/Raphe from the first moment, he had such a hard life from when he was a little kid and now, nearly, thirty, things still weren't quite good for him. Yes, he had the love of his Aunt and his quasi-parents/friends, Heath and Cindy, but he was lonely and hurting and dealing with the physical and psychological sequels from the accident that killed his parents and left him scarred. He was dealing with PTSD and anxiety and selfworth issues and it was difficult to see him even thinking of taking his own life. I wasn't quite sure what to think of Cooper at first. Raphael rescued him from a situation that could've been way worse and Cooper came on to Raphe pretty strong afterwards. I will admit that perhaps Raphael needed Cooper being that pushy, but it grated me the wrong way at first. However, Cooper definitely proved himself worthy of Raphael's love by being there for Raphe, supporting and loving him and giving him the space when Raphael needed some.
I loved that Cooper being in Raphael's life didn't automatically cure Raphael of all his issues, that he still needed therapy and that it was a work in progress, but I was left feeling confident that they could actually make it. They were just great for each other.
I adored Aunt Sophia, Heath, Cindy and of course, Adrian, they were all great secondary characters and added a lot of substance to the story.
Overall, this was a fantastic, emotional hurt/comfort book. I loved being privy of Raphael's journey and how Cooper's presence in his life impacted it so much. If you're anything like me, you'll definitely need some tissues, but it's so worth the read. Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Okay, so first off, read the trigger warnings, because trust me, they're there for a reason.
I loved Raphael/Raphe from the first moment, he had such a hard life from when he was a little kid and now, nearly, thirty, things still weren't quite good for him. Yes, he had the love of his Aunt and his quasi-parents/friends, Heath and Cindy, but he was lonely and hurting and dealing with the physical and psychological sequels from the accident that killed his parents and left him scarred. He was dealing with PTSD and anxiety and selfworth issues and it was difficult to see him even thinking of taking his own life. I wasn't quite sure what to think of Cooper at first. Raphael rescued him from a situation that could've been way worse and Cooper came on to Raphe pretty strong afterwards. I will admit that perhaps Raphael needed Cooper being that pushy, but it grated me the wrong way at first. However, Cooper definitely proved himself worthy of Raphael's love by being there for Raphe, supporting and loving him and giving him the space when Raphael needed some.
I loved that Cooper being in Raphael's life didn't automatically cure Raphael of all his issues, that he still needed therapy and that it was a work in progress, but I was left feeling confident that they could actually make it. They were just great for each other.
I adored Aunt Sophia, Heath, Cindy and of course, Adrian, they were all great secondary characters and added a lot of substance to the story.
Overall, this was a fantastic, emotional hurt/comfort book. I loved being privy of Raphael's journey and how Cooper's presence in his life impacted it so much. If you're anything like me, you'll definitely need some tissues, but it's so worth the read. Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
May 5, 2020
Good subject but did not quite live up to my expectations😕
3.5🌟stars
The idea of making one of the romantic leads a heavily scarred recluse attracted me to this book. "Beastly" scarred Raphael had a tragic backstory and he's still working on the mental issues that resulted from his injuries, his lost parents, and the cruel treatment he endured. I found him a very sympathetic character who has succeeded professionally despite the bad blows life has dealt him. I wanted Raphael to find the fellow who could "see him" rather than his scars. I just did not connect with his romantic interest Cooper who seems too open, accepting and supportive from minute one to be believed.
This story also dragged for me and I found myself just going through the motions after the big action climax to get through to the end. And I just did not understand why Cooper kept harping on about how flawed and messed up he was. I know he was trying to make Raphael feel more confident in their relationship but it did not really make sense to me. The writing was not the best and I thought there was a major inconsistency vis a vis the villains.
***Spoiler alert ***
The major villain appears twice in the story over two months apart. But he has supposedly traveled from Alabama and left a path of suspicious incidents on his way to Seattle. Why would he stick around in Seattle so long before making serious trouble?
***End spoiler***
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and opinions expressed are completely my own.
3.5🌟stars
The idea of making one of the romantic leads a heavily scarred recluse attracted me to this book. "Beastly" scarred Raphael had a tragic backstory and he's still working on the mental issues that resulted from his injuries, his lost parents, and the cruel treatment he endured. I found him a very sympathetic character who has succeeded professionally despite the bad blows life has dealt him. I wanted Raphael to find the fellow who could "see him" rather than his scars. I just did not connect with his romantic interest Cooper who seems too open, accepting and supportive from minute one to be believed.
This story also dragged for me and I found myself just going through the motions after the big action climax to get through to the end. And I just did not understand why Cooper kept harping on about how flawed and messed up he was. I know he was trying to make Raphael feel more confident in their relationship but it did not really make sense to me. The writing was not the best and I thought there was a major inconsistency vis a vis the villains.
***Spoiler alert ***
The major villain appears twice in the story over two months apart. But he has supposedly traveled from Alabama and left a path of suspicious incidents on his way to Seattle. Why would he stick around in Seattle so long before making serious trouble?
***End spoiler***
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and opinions expressed are completely my own.
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