Friday 25 March 2016

♥ Broken ♥ Nicola Haken ♥ Blog Tour & Giveaway ♥





When Theodore Davenport decides to switch his mundane job for a career, he walks into Holden House Publishing with enthusiasm and determination to succeed. As he settles into his new role, makes new friends, and dreams of making it to the top, everything is going to plan.

Until he meets James Holden, CEO of Holden House.

James Holden hasnt been able to stop thinking about his encounter with the timid man he met in a club bathroom last week, and when he discovers the one haunting his dreams is an employee, he cant seem to stop himself from pursuing him.

Just a little fun ­ thats what James tells himself. He cant afford to care for someone who can never reciprocate, not once they find out who he really is. James believes nobody deserves the burden of being attached to him. Hes a complicated man. Damaged. Difficult. Demanding.

Broken.

Is Theodore strong enough to confront James demons? More importantly, is James?

(M/M romance. Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age due to language and sexual content. ***Please note*** This book contains scenes of self harm, mental illness and suicidal ideation which may pose as a trigger, or be uncomfortable for some readers.)




ARC received for an honest review

Broken.

That is exactly how I feel after finishing this book. 

Broken was a difficult read for me.  Not because it was a bad book.  On the contrary, it was brilliant.  But the subject matter hit a bit close to home.

I could completely relate to James.  His thoughts, his feelings, his justifications for his actions.  I have been in his shoes.  Felt those feeling, had those thoughts.

In Theodore and James' family, I could see my family.  Their helplessness, their pain as they tried to help me.

Broken went from zero to 100 in the first couple of chapter!  All I could think was


For the first 45% of the book there was an amazing push/pull between Theo and James.  I just wanted them to get their act together.

Then at about 50% my heart shattered along with Theodore's.  I couldn't read through the tears.  I am sure the neighbours were wondering what animal was dying with the ungodly noises that came from me.  Ugly, snotty crying ensued.


Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

Ms Haken hit every emotion.  I was heartbroken.  I laughed.  I cried.  I felt... hope.  It made me want to call my mum at midnight to tell her sorry for what I put them through.

Even now, writing this review I am feeling emotional.  I have a lump in my throat.  I could easily burst into tears.

Reading the synopsis, I wondered whether James' demons might have been of the mental illness variety.  I certainly was not expecting how deep Broken delved, or the visceral reaction I would have to it.

So thank you Ms Haken for taken the darkness that is mental illness and bringing it out into the  light.  It is sad that even in 2016 there is still the stigma surrounding mental illness, and it is about time it goes.

We all need to speak up about it.  If you feel that something is not right with a family member, friend, loved one - go with your gut instinct.  Ask them about it.  They will be reticent, but please please please, don't let it go.

This is a wonderful m/m romance.  Yes, it touches on deeper issues, but beneath it all it is about love.











Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (six if you include the dog and cat!) She is the author the author of the m/m romance Souls of the Knight series, and is currently working on a standalone with new boys, James and Theo, due for release early 2016.

When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties. Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they're sleeping...