Braving His Past

Wow! I absolutely loved this book and adored Graham and Quinton. They are both amazing and brave people.

I fell in love with this story from the first chapter. Both Q and Graham have traumatic pasts. Q was gaslighted by the one person he should have trusted, his boyfriend. For months he was controlled by the sociopath. After a series of unfortunate events, he now lives holed up in his house.

One New Year’s Eve eight years ago turned Graham’s life upside down. He was never the same again. One night Quinton needed help, and by fate Graham was there to help him. They were instantly attracted to each other. Q tried to push Graham away but he was undeterred. The relationship between them is very beautiful and precious. And little Clementine is just so adorable.

Overall I loved this book very much. If you are a fan of found family, romantic suspense, MM romance then I highly recommend reading it.

Audiobook Review:

The narration for this book truly brought all of the emotion of the story to the next level. Greg Boudreaux breathed all of the strength, but also vulnerability, that we've learned to expect from Graham, and made that wee bit of sarcastic humor Graham carries just shine from the page. As newcomer Q, Tim Paige layers on this sensitive edge to each scene, making the abuse, healing and ultimate coupling of these men a vivid experience for the listener.

There are also several scenes - some emotional, while others are simply a joy for long-time fans of the series - that are just THAT much better hearing them outloud. Revisiting the book in this way was a fantastic escape, and one I'd highly recommend.

Original Review:

Braving His Past is a wildy emotional story, and as such an awaited release in Patricia D. Eddy's Away From Keyboard series, it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Romantic and intense and heartbreakingly real.

As a new introduction to the series, Quinton is a character who you'll instantly fall for, and the way Eddy writes his trauma speaks to the reader on such a deep, gut-wrenching level that you can't help but *feel* every moment of the abuse he faced. Graham has been an intriguing presence ever since his introduction into Ryker's team, and his backstory and journey with Q are no less an addictive romance than any of Eddy's normal F/M couplings.

There are so many moments littered throughout the book that will speak to anyone who's felt they weren't enough, who was made to feel they weren't enough... to those who are desperately seeking healing.

"If the past few years have taught me anything, it's that the part of us we think are broken? Those are the parts that make us who we are."

I loved it. Longtime fans of her AFK series will be welcomed by the same nail-biting suspense, acceptance and hesitant romance that's a familar staple throughout the other books. Newcomers won't find themselves lost (as past situations are touched on enough for context, while the book could easily be enjoyed as a standalone), but will likely have them clamoring to dive into book one (which is usually free, so there's no reason not to!).

Graham is a fighter but in order to save others he must first face his own fears. Which I think he did a great job at.