A review by fresholivebread
Ascendent by Tal Bauer

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Spin off from The Executive Office series, Sasha had finally found acceptance and love with Sergey. But his fears continue to affect his relationship with Sergey, and he needs to heal and find the courage to love openly. I understood his push pull from Sergey - there's a lot trauma and pain for him to process and his struggle is so difficult. 

But Sergey! I simply adored him. He's so patient, so loving and so supportive. Losing Sasha is his biggest fear, yet he lets him go for his spiritual healing, having faith that Sasha would return to him. The need for Sasha to be whole comes from a place of deep love. There's so much yearning, trust, passion and love, and their reunion is *everything*. This book made me cry in the best way. The HEA is bittersweet, though political threats still loom... 
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