Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Jonathan’s Hope 

SERIES: Jonathan Trilogy #1

AUTHOR: Hans M. Hirschi 

PUBLISHER: Beaten Track Publishing 

LENGTH: 226 pages 

RELEASE DATE: June 10, 2015 

BLURB: 

Abandoned to freeze to death in a winter forest by his father because of his homosexuality, Jonathan desperately struggles to survive, until he accidentally stumbles upon Dan, who owns a cabin in the woods.

Dan has been fighting his own demons since the death of his lover Sean. Having retreated from big city life, he is content to live in solitude, but he never counted on meeting Jonathan.

Given the dire circumstances, Dan must set his own needs aside to help Jonathan reclaim his life, but he soon finds that the ghosts of both their pasts won’t die so easily. 

REVIEW: 

Touched, I feel so deeply touched by this amazing and poignant love story. This book was so hauntingly beautiful. So tragic yet wonderfully and thoughtfully written and it is a great love story. Gut wrenchingly sad but gripping and fabulous. It had all the triggers in it that I should have hated. Child abuse and endangerment being the top two of my triggers. Add to that child abandonment by parents because they are gay. This book should have been a disaster for me but it was the exact opposite. I couldn’t put it down and read well into the wee hours of the morning.

I was so entranced by the story of Jonathan’s survival and all that was being thrown at him at such a young age. Then you add in Dan’s story of loss and grief and you would think that this would be the most depressing book ever written. Yes, it was gritty, raw and, at times, dark and horrific but the love and caring that each of these men battled with and had in them was captivating and strong. Their internal battles were heart wrenching. Their love, through these problems, was inspiring and eternal. Bonds that are formed through tragic events can cement a relationship at times. These men survived tragedy to be supportive and loving life mates.

This is the second book in a row that I have read that also touched on an age gap, something I have always heard referred to as a May/December romance. I have read comments from people saying that this type of relationship is doomed from the start but it just wasn’t true here. These men fell in love and age simply had no bearing.

Love is love, and that is what the bottom line is in this book…true love. Love that perseveres, triumphs over all adversities and remains loyal and strong. I know that these might be very tough subjects for a lot of people to read about and I have to admit, I was quite leery, but I am so glad I took the chance. Even difficult and trying storylines can be great books…if written with thought and purpose. This book is that. It is a fabulous book on how resilient people can be through horrible adversities. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. 

RATING:  

BUY LINKS:

Beaten Track Publishing

Amazon

ARe