REVIEWED by Anna Lynn
TITLE: The Survivor and his Safe Place
AUTHOR: Rebecca James
PUBLISHER: Self Published
SERIES: The Hedonist #4
LENGTH: 252 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2019
BLURB:
A big, tough biker, Axel Bryant has used his muscle to frighten more than a few people over the years. Which makes it ironic how he’s spent the last three years patiently trying to persuade Caleb Sullivan, the man he’s loved practically at first sight, to stop being afraid of him. A past trauma for which Axel’s looks are a trigger has kept Caleb fearful, but just when Axel is thinking he should give up on the younger man, things take a sudden turn. When Caleb makes it clear he’s interested in Axel, the biker is over the moon. But with his violent past, is he worthy of someone like Caleb?
Caleb has spent the past four years suffering flashbacks of the night his entire family was killed while he hid upstairs in a closet. He’s finally found a good therapist, and, more than anything, he wants to be normal again. Axel’s big, muscular build both attracts Caleb and terrifies him. He can only hope he’s doing the right thing by reaching out to the man and not setting himself back in the recovery he’s only recently made strides in.
REVIEW:
Patience truly is a virtue! Good things come to those who wait!
Trauma can be very bad for our mental health, especially when it involves our loved ones. Sometimes it is so bad that we need to consult with psychiatrists to help us navigate how we feel. Having family or friends can also help a lot for support, both emotionally and mentally.
No matter how much therapy one goes through, there will always be lingering effects of said trauma. It is now up to you to overcome it, by being strong and brave and the determination to be rid of its memories and to be thankful and happy. But will it work? Most of the time, it does.
Caleb has been through a horrific experience and he has been dealing with it for the past three years. He tries hard to heal himself and with the help of his friends, he is slowly gaining back his confidence.
Axel has been in love with Caleb since the first time he saw him over three years ago. He knows what the young man went through and he is willing to give him the time he needs to heal. But his friends are afraid that Caleb might never be ready.
This story tackles the aftereffects of a victim of a home invasion, the trauma he went through and how hard it was for him to heal from it, the triggers that he has no control over, and how hard he wishes to be normal, for himself and for those people who are there for him. There are hopeless times and it was described in this tale poignantly. We read about these kinds of trauma a lot these days and sometimes the victims never heal from it, but herein we see hope and love, not necessarily from blood-family but family in every sense of the word nonetheless.
This is book four of the Hedonist’s series by Ms. James, and I am loving all the couples in it. The story telling is great and keeps the reader captivated. This one is high in angst as compared to the others because of Caleb’s backstory, but it is very significant to both Caleb and Axel’s story. It is a lovely story between two great guys who truly are attracted to each other.
RATING: 
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