Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: In the Absence of Light
AUTHOR: Adrienne Wilder
PUBLISHER: Self Pub
LENGTH: 333 pages
BLURB:
For years Grant Kessler has smuggled goods from one end of the world to the next. When business turns in a direction Grant isn’t willing to follow he decides to retire and by all appearances he settles down in a nowhere town called Durstrand. But his real plan is to wait a few years and let the FBI lose interest, then move on to the distant coastal life he’s always dreamed of.
Severely autistic, Morgan cannot look people in the eye, tell left from right, and has uncontrolled tics. Yet he’s beaten every obstacle life has thrown his way. And when Grant Kessler moves into town Morgan isn’t a bit shy in letting the man know how much he wants him.
While the attraction is mutual, Grant pushes Morgan away. Like the rest of the world he can’t see past Morgan’s odd behaviors.
Then Morgan shows Grant how light lets you see but it also leaves you blind. And once Grant opens his eyes, he loses his heart to the beautiful enigma of a man who changes the course of his life.
REVIEW:
“The light is a funny thing, Grant. We think it shows us what we need to see but in reality it blinds us. That’s why I brought you here. I wanted you to see me.”
There is something so painfully beautiful about Adrienne Wilder stories. There is no question about the fact that I absolutely adore this author’s writing style. She’s able to take these controversial issues, issues that regularly don’t touch your life, and make them incredibly personal to you. I know going into every story of hers that I will be raked over the coals, emotionally. I know that I will feel every emotion under the sun including some emotions I never even knew I had. I love knowing when I pick up and Adrienne Wilder book, I will feel things that I don’t feel on a regular basis. This book was no exception.
Grant Kessler knows a thing or two about making the most of a not so great situation. Recently betrayed by his ex-lover, he’s holding up in a tiny town, fixing up a new house he bought while biding his time. The majority of Grant’s life has been lived in the fast lane. He single handedly built a successful business that may or may not have been completely on the up and up. When things started taking a toll on his conscience he knew it was time to pack it up and start over. He has it all planned out. Wait a few years, spend his time fixing up his new house, all the while hoping the authorities lose interest in him. What he didn’t anticipate was attracting the attention of the small town local, Morgan.
Morgan sees and experiences life, a lot differently than others, he’s severely autistic so social situations tend to be difficult for him. Even though he comes off different, even odd, Morgan is unquestionably intelligent and wonderfully compassionate. He’s immediately attracted to Grant and does everything in his power so Grant will notice him.
These two men together are a beautiful force of nature. Grant struggles with society ideals of mental disorder and initial guilt of what he perceives as taking advantage of Morgan. Morgan works relentlessly to show Grant that he knows his mind and his heart.
The passion Morgan and Grant share in this story almost blew the top off my head, it was so amazingly hot. The power struggle, the push/pull dynamic was euphoric. I loved it.
I’d be remiss in this review if I didn’t mention the remarkable townspeople of Durstrand. These side characters made this whole story so much more deep and rich. I absolutely fell in love with all of them right along with Morgan and Grant.
This book was pure magic, on so many wonderful levels. This author writes amazing things. And it’s not because what she writes is so profound. It’s how her characters bring her words to life, and how they touch your soul. In the Absence of Light is an absolute must read, one of the best books I’ve read all year.
RATING: 
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