Review: Author delivers mostly solid writing with complex characters
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 25, 2013
Eight months after Gabriel Thatcher, known as Red, gained his freedom, he finds himself struggling to find a job and regain his life. After a lifetime of trying to protect himself and his younger sister, Mila, from the abuse of their alcoholic father, he's forced to do the unthinkable when his father goes on a violent rampage. He mightn't be in jail any longer, but he still carries the scars on his back from his father and memories of five years of the cruelty he was subjected to in prison.Although a bit uneven at times and with a few inconsistencies, the author delivers mostly solid writing with complex and interesting characters that I quickly came to care about. I freaking adored Silo. He had such an infectiously bubbly personality. Easy going, but not a pushover. Joyful, mischievous and playful despite his past. Not unaffected by the time spent in jail and what was done to him there, but with an amazing resilience and determination to not allow it to control him. I was so glad when Red realised he loved him, even if he wasn't ready to admit it to Silo straight away. Red, as the narrator, really grew throughout the book as he learned to let go of his anger and bitterness.The first three quarters of the book was really strong. Great characterisation, good story development and believable actions. This was very close to a four star book for me. The last quarter of the book wasn't as strong; the whole secret admirer scenario seemed a bit manufactured, easy to spot a mile off and not really necessary. Overall, I did enjoy it. I liked the MCs and was invested in what happened to them and their relationship. The subject of their times in prison and the violence they were subjected to wasn't too in your face, but was still dealt with without being flippant. I loved the connection the MCs had with each other and when things did get going in the romance department, the sex scenes were pretty hot.Read the full review at Live Your Life, Buy The Book