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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Dark story but Amazing caracters!!!
Contains: young guy searching for help, domestic violence including seggsual demand off page in past tense, gym owner freshly divorced from a women who have is own trauma bags (ex wife was attackes, mother was murder off page)
Despite all the drama, the trauma and the brain game on their emotional trauma, this book is really axed on going better, being there for each other, developing their own self acceptance, finding themself, making friend, making your own family. Dark subjects but extraordinary caracters.
Contains: young guy searching for help, domestic violence including seggsual demand off page in past tense, gym owner freshly divorced from a women who have is own trauma bags (ex wife was attackes, mother was murder off page)
Despite all the drama, the trauma and the brain game on their emotional trauma, this book is really axed on going better, being there for each other, developing their own self acceptance, finding themself, making friend, making your own family. Dark subjects but extraordinary caracters.
I love that Ben and Colby healed each other. This was cute and I enjoyed how their relationship developed, it was kind of slow burn, but also kind of fast-paced. Colby is just out of an abusive relationship, covered in bruises, with no where else to go he walks into Ben’s gym to apply for a job. Even though Ben is dealing with his own emotional issues, a different type of trauma, he knows he has to help Colby. Even though it discusses some tough topics, it’s pretty low angst and I did find myself wishing for just a bit more. Both MCs were very cute, Ben was super sweet and obviously cared a lot for Colby. They became friends first, but I do wish there had been a little bit more of them getting to know each other on page, but regardless, it was cute.
I love Nicole Dykes M/M stories and this one was no different. Ben and Colby had a lot of healing and by starting a friendship first, it gave them time to help heal one another. While this had angst and triggers, this wasn't as high angst as I had thought it would be. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down and found it to be a pretty quick read. I cannot wait to see what other stories come out of this world.
I love that Ben and Colby healed each other. This was cute and I enjoyed how their relationship developed, it was kind of slow burn, but also kind of fast-paced. Colby is just out of an abusive relationship, covered in bruises, with no where else to go he walks into Ben’s gym to apply for a job. Even though Ben is dealing with his own emotional issues, a different type of trauma, he knows he has to help Colby. Even though it discusses some tough topics, it’s pretty low angst and I did find myself wishing for just a bit more. Both MCs were very cute, Ben was super sweet and obviously cared a lot for Colby. They became friends first, but I do wish there had been a little bit more of them getting to know each other on page, but regardless, it was cute.
I received this ARC as part of Nicole Dyke's Street Team and this is my honest review
I've been waiting for this series ever since [a:Nicole Dykes|13701591|Nicole Dykes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1451592169p2/13701591.jpg] started talking about it, so I was SO excited, and after reading all her mm romances, my expectations were huge, still wasn't ready for the real roller coaster It would be to read Ben & Colby's story: everything about these two was unbelievably sweet, heartbreakingly adorable and very sexy, and as always when I read this author, I have loved ALL of her characters and am especially happy because as this is a series there are many more possibilities to know everyone's stories.
I have to say that when I started reading this book I had a little doubt about Ben's character, his attitude towards Summer and the things that were important to her scared the hell out of me, fortunately that did not last even the first complete chapter of the book, so I was soon able to discover that Ben is a man who has faced tragedy but has known how to continue with his life, not always in the best way and that according to his older brother, and everyone who knows him, he has a hero complex, but what really happens with him is that he is a protector, someone with a huge heart and who is always willing to help people who need it.. He was an incredible character, I really liked reading his personal story, although it was painful, it was also very interesting, his relationship with Roman is full of love and the way they annoy each other was a lot of fun to read and it let me see how much they have supported each other throughout their lives and in the important moments, but the best thing about Ben for me was his way of accepting his sexual attraction and romantic feelings towards Colby, how he helped and supported him from the first moment and how nice he was always with him.
Colby's story is a bit more complex: he is a boy who has just escaped from a violent relationship, he has no job, no place to live, and he feels responsible for the situation he has just experienced, he constantly blames himself and believes that his only quality is his looks. He broke my heart a lot because the consequences of the violent relationship he lived through were portrayed in a VERY raw and real way, which I liked a lot and made me want to protect him as much as Ben. But not everything is bad in his story: when he arrives at Ben's gym he finds the protection, love, acceptance and respect he needed, he resumes his life and in the process his heart begins to open up to Ben and his kindness, even though he believes that everything it comes with a price.
Ben & Colby's love is one of the sweetest and cutest I've ever read, but it's not easy at all: Colby is instantly attracted to Ben, but she knows he's straight, and that their relationship is impossible, for his part Ben believes that his interest in Colby is only because of his protective personality, but little by little he realizes that he makes him feel things that he had never felt before, and the most important thing: it's giving him back the desire to believe in love. These two have an incredible journey, their relationship begins as a purely work relationship, then they become friends who trust each other with the most important things in their lives, they support each other infinitely and in the process of getting to know each other they begin to fall in love, all of this with a perfect rhythm, which made me love it and not be able to stop reading them.
Also, one of the biggest plot points that will connect the books in this series is the Spark of Hope support group, a place where trauma victims can seek shelter and find a place that can give them the help they need, this group was Andrew's idea, he's a therapist with a big heart and who is willing to help those who need it, and although Ben & Colby don't have much faith in this group, both realizing that it could be exactly what they need to heal their pasts, and also help others do the same. Also, thanks to Spark of Hope we know a little more about Roman & Ethan, characters that I hope will be part of the series because they are very interesting.
I've been waiting for this series ever since [a:Nicole Dykes|13701591|Nicole Dykes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1451592169p2/13701591.jpg] started talking about it, so I was SO excited, and after reading all her mm romances, my expectations were huge, still wasn't ready for the real roller coaster It would be to read Ben & Colby's story: everything about these two was unbelievably sweet, heartbreakingly adorable and very sexy, and as always when I read this author, I have loved ALL of her characters and am especially happy because as this is a series there are many more possibilities to know everyone's stories.
I have to say that when I started reading this book I had a little doubt about Ben's character, his attitude towards Summer and the things that were important to her scared the hell out of me, fortunately that did not last even the first complete chapter of the book, so I was soon able to discover that Ben is a man who has faced tragedy but has known how to continue with his life, not always in the best way and that according to his older brother, and everyone who knows him, he has a hero complex, but what really happens with him is that he is a protector, someone with a huge heart and who is always willing to help people who need it.. He was an incredible character, I really liked reading his personal story, although it was painful, it was also very interesting, his relationship with Roman is full of love and the way they annoy each other was a lot of fun to read and it let me see how much they have supported each other throughout their lives and in the important moments, but the best thing about Ben for me was his way of accepting his sexual attraction and romantic feelings towards Colby, how he helped and supported him from the first moment and how nice he was always with him.
Colby's story is a bit more complex: he is a boy who has just escaped from a violent relationship, he has no job, no place to live, and he feels responsible for the situation he has just experienced, he constantly blames himself and believes that his only quality is his looks. He broke my heart a lot because the consequences of the violent relationship he lived through were portrayed in a VERY raw and real way, which I liked a lot and made me want to protect him as much as Ben. But not everything is bad in his story: when he arrives at Ben's gym he finds the protection, love, acceptance and respect he needed, he resumes his life and in the process his heart begins to open up to Ben and his kindness, even though he believes that everything it comes with a price.
Ben & Colby's love is one of the sweetest and cutest I've ever read, but it's not easy at all: Colby is instantly attracted to Ben, but she knows he's straight, and that their relationship is impossible, for his part Ben believes that his interest in Colby is only because of his protective personality, but little by little he realizes that he makes him feel things that he had never felt before, and the most important thing: it's giving him back the desire to believe in love. These two have an incredible journey, their relationship begins as a purely work relationship, then they become friends who trust each other with the most important things in their lives, they support each other infinitely and in the process of getting to know each other they begin to fall in love, all of this with a perfect rhythm, which made me love it and not be able to stop reading them.
Also, one of the biggest plot points that will connect the books in this series is the Spark of Hope support group, a place where trauma victims can seek shelter and find a place that can give them the help they need, this group was Andrew's idea, he's a therapist with a big heart and who is willing to help those who need it, and although Ben & Colby don't have much faith in this group, both realizing that it could be exactly what they need to heal their pasts, and also help others do the same. Also, thanks to Spark of Hope we know a little more about Roman & Ethan, characters that I hope will be part of the series because they are very interesting.
I came over after reading Hostile which I loved. This sounded interesting and I dove in. It wasn't quite what I expected. Ben latched on to Colby so very quick and I didn't really feel like they knew each other. I'm glad that they ended up being each other's person.
I was a little confused on why Roman never tried to get him to press charges against the abusive ex boyfriend because he was literally wearing his police uniform the day that he saw Colby come in all beat up. It just never came up so the guy got off completely free and clear. If we can't get it in real life, please give us convictions in fiction.
I was a little confused on why Roman never tried to get him to press charges against the abusive ex boyfriend because he was literally wearing his police uniform the day that he saw Colby come in all beat up. It just never came up so the guy got off completely free and clear. If we can't get it in real life, please give us convictions in fiction.
Bruised But Not Broken is everything I’ve come to expect from Nicole Dykes - sweet main characters, a cast of interesting side characters, easy romance and low angst.
Ben has a bit of a hero complex - he loves to swoop in and save the day, something he finds himself trying to do often. He owns a gym and is a workaholic - putting his all into making his business a success. After his wife is attacked and springs a divorce on him, he feels adrift and confused until Colby wanders by his gym.
Colby found himself stuck in an abusive relationship for years, something that he thought he deserved. But once he gets himself out from under his boyfriend’s thumb, he’s in need of a job and a place to stay, which led him to Ben’s gym. Once he’s comfortable, Colby starts to recognize that he has some lingering trauma from his past relationship but is drawn to Ben’s stability and safety.
These two went from boss/employee to friends to boyfriends pretty quickly. They started opening up to each other about their pasts since they didn’t feel comfortable sharing at the Spark of Hope trauma support group happening at the gym and they built a relationship from there. Even though Ben hadn’t ever been interested in men before, Colby captures his attention. Once Colby accepts that he’s not just Ben’s experiment but someone who means something to him (and that he deserves it), their relationship turns into something solid and lasting.
I felt a little disappointed with all of the negative talk surrounding therapy. Ben and Roman are extremely outspoken about their feelings and I think it created a negative opinion with all of the gym workers. Since this is the first book in the series, I’m hoping it improves as more people are helped by the Spark of Hope group.
We met a lot of great characters in this series introduction (Roman, Andrew, Ethan, even Brooks at the very end), so I’m looking forward to seeing where this series will go next.
Ben has a bit of a hero complex - he loves to swoop in and save the day, something he finds himself trying to do often. He owns a gym and is a workaholic - putting his all into making his business a success. After his wife is attacked and springs a divorce on him, he feels adrift and confused until Colby wanders by his gym.
Colby found himself stuck in an abusive relationship for years, something that he thought he deserved. But once he gets himself out from under his boyfriend’s thumb, he’s in need of a job and a place to stay, which led him to Ben’s gym. Once he’s comfortable, Colby starts to recognize that he has some lingering trauma from his past relationship but is drawn to Ben’s stability and safety.
These two went from boss/employee to friends to boyfriends pretty quickly. They started opening up to each other about their pasts since they didn’t feel comfortable sharing at the Spark of Hope trauma support group happening at the gym and they built a relationship from there. Even though Ben hadn’t ever been interested in men before, Colby captures his attention. Once Colby accepts that he’s not just Ben’s experiment but someone who means something to him (and that he deserves it), their relationship turns into something solid and lasting.
I felt a little disappointed with all of the negative talk surrounding therapy. Ben and Roman are extremely outspoken about their feelings and I think it created a negative opinion with all of the gym workers. Since this is the first book in the series, I’m hoping it improves as more people are helped by the Spark of Hope group.
We met a lot of great characters in this series introduction (Roman, Andrew, Ethan, even Brooks at the very end), so I’m looking forward to seeing where this series will go next.
3 stars
Ehhhh… didn’t love this.. it was alright but I felt like the relationship was rushed, especially for Colby who came out of an abusive relationship…
Idk if I’ll read Roman’s book… but let’s be real I will because I don’t have another book lined up haha.
Ehhhh… didn’t love this.. it was alright but I felt like the relationship was rushed, especially for Colby who came out of an abusive relationship…
Idk if I’ll read Roman’s book… but let’s be real I will because I don’t have another book lined up haha.
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I have no idea why i waited so long to start this series as i love Nicole’s books . I absolutely loved Ben & Colby and even though Roman was a pain he was so funny please tell me he has a book.