As I Am
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4.8 • 12 Ratings
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Will Madden is healing.
Thanks to therapy and a growing support system, he's taking baby steps into a promising future. One of those steps leads him to an online chat room, where he quickly bonds with fellow PTSD sufferer Taz Zachary.
Despite their virtual connection, Taz is initially freaked out at the idea of meeting Will face-to-face. A sexual relationship may be the last thing on his mind, but his craving for human interaction—and more of the way Will makes him laugh—gives him the courage he needs to take the next step.
In person, the chemistry between them is undeniable. But Will is hurt when Taz doesn't seem to be in any rush to get him into bed. Still, acceptance, love and happiness all seem within reach for the first time in forever—until demons from the past threaten the future they both finally believe they deserve.
Book three of the All Saints series.
This book is approximately 95,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!
Customer Reviews
4.5 Deep & Emotional Stars
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
I love the gradient colors on the covers in this series, another wonderful addition, visually.
Plain, easy to read title and author fonts. Synopsis sounds like it has the potential to be another deeply emotional story.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person.
WARNING: This story is about two broken young men that suffered sexual and/or physical abuse IN THEIR PAST. They both suffer PTSD, anxiety and depression as a result. This is a story of how they are TRYING to overcome their brutal pasts to LIVE again in the most normal way possible. They DO have flashbacks, they do have panic attacks. Their pasts ARE moderately detailed. May contain triggers for more sensitive readers. But, my gawd... if they are strong enough to make it though, I hope you can be as well, this is one that I hope you'd not want to miss!
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I've only read a handful of AM Arthur's books, so I was not familiar with all of the secondary characters (from BELONGING and RESTORATION series'), but recognized a few from previous All Saints books, if only by mention of name. Will was a minor secondary character that managed to catch many readers' attention early on. I noticed him in the background of Come What May, I believe, and he left a haunting impression on me. I am so very glad that Ms Arthur finally allowed him his story.
I've read some broken characters before and love my flawed and imperfect lead roles, but Will broke my heart so many times in this one book. His past, the struggles.... and Taz! Taz's situation, while so very different, was no less traumatizing nor painful. Taz and Will were amazing together, so well-balanced for one another. I can honestly say, I was not sure where the plot was going to go with Peter. I mean, I was suspect of him but the plot did not go exactly how I'd thought it would. I loved so many of the secondary characters, they provided a rich, full and supportive cast. The story was dynamic, it had depth and tons of emotion. Fluidity was smooth, from start to finish. The conclusion was solid and satisfying, providing an implied HEA in a short fast-forward Epilogue.
Overall, I love this author's ability to dig deep into her characters' personas and make the reader feel what they are feeling, the conveyances and portrayals are so very real and lasting. The series is incredible, and the secondary characters have made me realize that there are MANY more books from this author that I will NEED to read, not to better understand this story because it read strongly on it's own, but because the characters were so magnetic that I have to read their stories, too (particularly Romy's - and Ezra... he seems like a force of nature)!
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.425 ~ Stars: 4 (4.5 if I could!)
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐