Review: Its lovely intensity and stellar characters captivated me
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 15, 2013
A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER isn't an easy book with its depictions of abuse survival but its lovely intensity and stellar characters captivated me.Sean barely survived his ex-lover and abuser and he's not about to risk his heart or body to another.  But tattoo artist Riordan's gentle pursuit and acceptance of Sean and his history make Sean want to try.Sean made my heart bleed, not just because of the abuse he suffered but for his strength to rebuild.  I loved his character and couldn't help but root for him to open his heart and life to Riordan.  Some readers may think Sean took too long in denying gentle Riordan but I thought the novella captured the powerful conflict between Sean's hope and ingrained mistrust.Riordan gently pursues Sean but I love that he doesn't crowd Sean.  Riordan has an innate understanding that if he grasps at Sean, he'll lose him quickly, so Riordan woos Sean into bed and his life.  This is a complicated romance that some readers may not have the patience for but I adored it for its refusal to gloss over a dark romance.Riordan's life as a tattoo artist and nurse is well integrated into the story and offered a little levity to this dark novella.  His best friend is the only other character in the novella and I liked him a lot and hope we'll get to read about him in a future book.  The specter of Sean's ex-lover is chilling and will have readers thinking about the reality of partner abuse.  Again, maybe this novella will push too many readers' buttons but I loved it for its complexity.My one slight quibble with this novella is that I wanted a tad more resolution at novella's end.  I see why the author ended the novella where she did but the romance lover in me couldn't help but hope for just a little more emotional closure.A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER is one of those dark romances that I couldn't get out of my head.  I thought about these complicated characters long after the final page and think other MM readers looking for something different may feel the same way.Reviewed by J9for TheRomanceReviews.com