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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Genre/Tropes: MM, Bi-Awakening
POV: 1st, Dual
Series: Spark of Hope, #1
STEAM LEVEL:
Bruised But Not Broken is the first book in a series exploring characters who have experienced trauma. It was a beautiful story, that yes, was at times sad, but it was also playful, and sweet, and sexy. Two genuine and kind men who have their past pain and the struggles that have left them with. But together they learn how to heal and forgive (themselves and others).
Ben and Colby complement each other wonderfully. They are fun and flirty with one another, but also there for the tough stuff. As Colby learns to believe in himself, Ben learns to stop hiding behind his need to ‘save’ people. In short, they are pretty adorable together, and nothing can be better than them getting their happy ending.
This story is deep and covers difficult topics, but it didn’t feel oppressive or draining. Rather the opposite, in fact, it definitely had an optimistic vibe.
< ARC provided and this is my honest review >
Ben and Colby complement each other wonderfully. They are fun and flirty with one another, but also there for the tough stuff. As Colby learns to believe in himself, Ben learns to stop hiding behind his need to ‘save’ people. In short, they are pretty adorable together, and nothing can be better than them getting their happy ending.
This story is deep and covers difficult topics, but it didn’t feel oppressive or draining. Rather the opposite, in fact, it definitely had an optimistic vibe.
< ARC provided and this is my honest review >
Nicole Dykes hits it out of the park with her first book in the Sparks of Hope series, Bruised but Not Broken. This book does great in introducing not only Ben and Colby and their romance, but the Sparks of Hope group that will be the foundation for the entire series. She also does an amazing job with showing that there is more than one way that people deal with trauma. That said, there are triggers in this book that absolutely NEED to be heeded.
But let's get into the meat and potatoes of the story.
Ben is a gym owner. When his brother's best friend comes to them with a proposal, he's hesitant. A group therapy meeting, twice a week, at his gym with Ben and Roman teaching self-defense after. He's not a believer in therapy and thinks the whole group therapy thing sounds kind of cultish. But he allows it, mainly because he has a saving people thing. It showed with his ex-wife and it shows again when he meets Colby outside of his gym and offers him a job and a place to stay within just a few minutes of knowing him.
There's reasons that Ben is like that, why he has a saving people thing, and it is explained throughout the course of the book. And it is heartbreaking, his past trauma. However, the book doesn't focus a lot on that, leaving me to believe that we'll see more of that history in his brother's book.
The relationship between Colby and Ben grows relatively quickly. There's an instant attraction and they begin to bond in after hour visits. Colby, despite his bad history with a very recent ex-boyfriend, develops feelings for Ben very quickly and Ben, despite a recent divorce and always thinking he's straight, develops feelings back just as quickly. I do like that Ben doesn't go through some crisis in his bisexual awakening. He just accepts that he has feelings for Colby and that maybe they were always there but he never noticed attraction to men because he'd gotten with his wife when he was still in high school.
The romance between them is very sweet and despite the speed of them falling in love, feels organic. The characters themselves seem very three dimensional and once again, Nicole proves that she is amazing at her characterizations with her side characters as well. Everyone from Ben's ex-wife to the people who work the front desk of the gym to the other group members feel real and developed and I found myself invested in all of them.
I cannot wait to read more of this series as it gets released. Needless to say, I have another new favorite series to add to my ever growing list of series that I yearn for the next release of.
** DISCLAIMER: I recieved an ARC of this book from GRR for fair and honest review. **
But let's get into the meat and potatoes of the story.
Ben is a gym owner. When his brother's best friend comes to them with a proposal, he's hesitant. A group therapy meeting, twice a week, at his gym with Ben and Roman teaching self-defense after. He's not a believer in therapy and thinks the whole group therapy thing sounds kind of cultish. But he allows it, mainly because he has a saving people thing. It showed with his ex-wife and it shows again when he meets Colby outside of his gym and offers him a job and a place to stay within just a few minutes of knowing him.
There's reasons that Ben is like that, why he has a saving people thing, and it is explained throughout the course of the book. And it is heartbreaking, his past trauma. However, the book doesn't focus a lot on that, leaving me to believe that we'll see more of that history in his brother's book.
The relationship between Colby and Ben grows relatively quickly. There's an instant attraction and they begin to bond in after hour visits. Colby, despite his bad history with a very recent ex-boyfriend, develops feelings for Ben very quickly and Ben, despite a recent divorce and always thinking he's straight, develops feelings back just as quickly. I do like that Ben doesn't go through some crisis in his bisexual awakening. He just accepts that he has feelings for Colby and that maybe they were always there but he never noticed attraction to men because he'd gotten with his wife when he was still in high school.
The romance between them is very sweet and despite the speed of them falling in love, feels organic. The characters themselves seem very three dimensional and once again, Nicole proves that she is amazing at her characterizations with her side characters as well. Everyone from Ben's ex-wife to the people who work the front desk of the gym to the other group members feel real and developed and I found myself invested in all of them.
I cannot wait to read more of this series as it gets released. Needless to say, I have another new favorite series to add to my ever growing list of series that I yearn for the next release of.
** DISCLAIMER: I recieved an ARC of this book from GRR for fair and honest review. **
I loved this story! It was a great read that pulled me in from beginning to end. I adored these two characters and how they built their relationship. Colby has just left an abusive relationship that he's been in for years and Ben has given him a job and a safe place to stay that gives him a real shot at not going back. I loved the way that Ben interacted with Colby and saw him. He didn't see him as a broken individual but instead one that was bruised and still strong. I loved the way that Ben handled this being his first interest in a guy. It was all about the person and I loved that. It really made it work for me. I loved the talking that they did to really get to know each other on a deep level and also a lighter one. That is where the attraction really built itself up for them and where I fell in love with these two. Both are leery of therapy and what it can do but they both see the benefit of what talking can do. How it can make a difference just to speak out loud the thoughts and truths that are in your head. I truly adored this story and I can't wait for more in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This is a wonderfully written first book in this new series by Nicole Dykes. Both MC's have experienced trauma along with discussions from others who attend the new support group so be sure to read trigger warnings.
Ben, bless him, has a habit of saving people. He did it with his wife and now when Colby walks in bloody, bruised and wet from the rain, he instantly offers the job in his gym and a studio flat above it. Colby has finally taken the biggest step in leaving Christopher but isn't sure how long he'll have the strength to stay away for. Luckily, Ben and the group of people around him are supportive, caring and bring a bit of light to his darker existence. It reminds me a little bit of Kelly Fox's Wrecked series with people have trauma in their past and a sense of found family.
Ben and Colby's friendship is definitely tentative at first, understandably so, and when they both see in each other what they truly want, then all bets are off. Colby has to learn to trust in himself and Ben, not the negativity in his head whilst Ben has to trust in Colby and the young man's inner strength that slowly comes into it's own. They really make a great couple, clearly attracted to each other and building a really strong relationship. The support group that is set up, something Ben is a bit reluctant about and definitely doesn't consider it something he needs but seeing those people, week after week, shows him the hope and strength that it can bring to those who need it.
There's some great characters that support the two MC's, Roman especially (Ben's older brother). I think annoyingly charming and just plain annoying are quite good descriptors for him but from the end of this story, I'm hoping it's him up next in the series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Ben, bless him, has a habit of saving people. He did it with his wife and now when Colby walks in bloody, bruised and wet from the rain, he instantly offers the job in his gym and a studio flat above it. Colby has finally taken the biggest step in leaving Christopher but isn't sure how long he'll have the strength to stay away for. Luckily, Ben and the group of people around him are supportive, caring and bring a bit of light to his darker existence. It reminds me a little bit of Kelly Fox's Wrecked series with people have trauma in their past and a sense of found family.
Ben and Colby's friendship is definitely tentative at first, understandably so, and when they both see in each other what they truly want, then all bets are off. Colby has to learn to trust in himself and Ben, not the negativity in his head whilst Ben has to trust in Colby and the young man's inner strength that slowly comes into it's own. They really make a great couple, clearly attracted to each other and building a really strong relationship. The support group that is set up, something Ben is a bit reluctant about and definitely doesn't consider it something he needs but seeing those people, week after week, shows him the hope and strength that it can bring to those who need it.
There's some great characters that support the two MC's, Roman especially (Ben's older brother). I think annoyingly charming and just plain annoying are quite good descriptors for him but from the end of this story, I'm hoping it's him up next in the series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
3.75
Finding love after an abusive relationship can be difficult & For a story about trauma its not too angsty.
•lots of pining
•
Finding love after an abusive relationship can be difficult & For a story about trauma its not too angsty.
•lots of pining
•
Nicole Dykes and a new M/M book, say less! I knew before I even started this book I was going to love it, and I was not wrong. This one is a little different from her other work but still everything you expect from a Nicole book.
There could not be a more perfect title for a book. All of the characters but especially Colby are bruised, mentally and physically, but far from broken. This book is filled with all the emotions. The trauma these characters went through were very different but the way it was all written and their journey of healing was beautiful.
Ahh I loved Ben and Colby together. At first I wasn't sure about them but as their tentative friendship grew into more and slowly became love it was everything. I'll never doubt Nicole again! There is very light steam to this one, but I didn't miss it. I really enjoyed reading the thoughts, feelings, and insecurities the guys went through. I love when an author can make you connect with the characters on an emotional level, and Nicole did that.
AND it's the beginning of a series!!! Just that one page at the end has me so excited for Roman, I can't wait!
There could not be a more perfect title for a book. All of the characters but especially Colby are bruised, mentally and physically, but far from broken. This book is filled with all the emotions. The trauma these characters went through were very different but the way it was all written and their journey of healing was beautiful.
Ahh I loved Ben and Colby together. At first I wasn't sure about them but as their tentative friendship grew into more and slowly became love it was everything. I'll never doubt Nicole again! There is very light steam to this one, but I didn't miss it. I really enjoyed reading the thoughts, feelings, and insecurities the guys went through. I love when an author can make you connect with the characters on an emotional level, and Nicole did that.
AND it's the beginning of a series!!! Just that one page at the end has me so excited for Roman, I can't wait!
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent