Damaged Hearts: The Boys of Venice Beach Book 1, Jan St. Marcus

Life doesn't always end up how we plan.  For Michelangelo and Brandon it seems that life is the complete opposite of how we'd hoped to live, but in their moments of grief and fatalism they find someone to lift them up and give them something new to hope for.

They didn't have a meet-cute, that's for sure, but what brought them together was something that both men needed.  For Mike it was doing something for someone else that opened a door to more.  For Brandon, it was a chance for someone to care that he was alive and worth that care.  The romantic portion of their story was a bit of a slow-burn with a lot of confusing feelings that kept them on edge until they admitted what they were feeling and grasped it tightly with both hands.

I can't say I'm a fan of their voices.  Their young age was incredibly apparent both in expectations and expressions.  And it was their inner voice that kind of irritated because I felt like I was reading the rambling, slightly vapid thoughts of a teenager.  Well, in Brandon's case that's an accurate age, but it felt younger, like early high school and I felt that was inappropriate to the life Brandon led.  It was immaturity that came across rather than simply youth.  Sometimes, especially in Brandon's case, they would seem to break the fourth wall so it was confusing in its narrative because it would jump from describing thoughts, feelings, sights, impressions, etc. to inviting the reader in as if they were talking to us specifically.  The flow wasn't exactly smooth.

If we took out the drama, the government involvement, the Grant bits of the story, I don't believe there was enough development of the characters or their relationship to support the story's intent.  We get distracted by all the stuff going on around and behind the scenes and lose sight of the actual relationship building stuff that will make me believe they're solid, healing, and good for the long-haul.

Overall though, the story was nice with surprisingly little angst and a lot of honesty.  The language and voice were less-than awesome, but I didn't not like the story and while I thought there could have been more balance and depth, it was a pleasant read.

*$3.99 on Amazon

When 19-year-old military veteran Brandon Hawkins is attacked on Venice Beach by a gang of frat boys, he is saved by Michelangelo Curtis, a passerby.

Michelangelo was roaming the boardwalk grieving the death of his twin brother six months earlier. The two men’s unexpected encounter forges a strong bond between the damaged and lonely men.

Inviting the homeless Bran to his place for some food and a shower, 25-year-old Michelangelo finds himself drawn to the younger man. Neither of the men is gay. But before long, their friendship morphs into something like love and takes them both by surprise.

And they have something else in common: The frat boys are out for revenge.