Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: A Healing Story
SERIES: Stories #3
AUTHOR: Abrianna Denae
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
RELEASE DATE: July 9, 2020
LENGTH: Novel
BLURB:
Matthias Harthorn is drowning. For years he’s hidden his pain by hurting the one person who should have been able to rely on him—his younger brother, Jameson. Years of guilt, regret, and confusion build up until he’s barely able to get through the day sober.
Then one night a handsome stranger comes along and offers him a reprieve from it all. Making him question everything he thought he knew.
Neil Denning is the last man Matthias should be spending time with. Not only do his dark, piercing eyes see things that they shouldn’t—things that no one has before—but his connection to Jameson makes their budding friendship all the more off-limits. Yet no matter what the excuse, Neil doesn’t let Matthias get away with anything, forcing him to address his problems. Soon its not just Neil’s calm and matter of fact attitude that has Matthias ensnared.
With every touch and laugh shared together they grow closer. Until the door to Matthias’ ugly past swings back open, forcing him to deal with emotions and memories long since buried, in order to finally be happy. But the path that leads to healing will force Matthias to be honest with not only himself and Neil, but also the brother he so callously threw away. He’ll need to choose between letting go and living open or lose everything he’s come to care about.
*Though this book can stand alone, the author suggests that book 1, A Love Story be read first for better enjoyment.*
REVIEW:
Matthias almost lives in a bottle. He fights a battle between his life, conscience, and a controlling, manipulative mother. He is unhappy and confused about his sexuality. Matthias has cravings for something a lifetime of indoctrination has taught him is wrong. For years he has survived, not lived. As a result, Matthias loathes himself. He wants to change and atone for his behavior but doesn’t have a clue how. His brother Jamie got out (with scars), and Matthias is envious.
Neil knows a closet case when he sees one, and usually gives them a wide birth. But, having studied Matthias, there’s something about the man that draws Neil in. He recognizes Matthias’s haunted looks, and it worries him. A blow-job in the bathroom confirms his thinking, and Neil offers Matthias the hand of friendship.
It isn’t long before friendship turns into wanting something more. The question is whether Neil is willing to take the chance of being hurt and whether he inspires Matthias to stand up for himself?
A Healing Story is the third of a series, written in the first person, primarily from the viewpoints of Matthias and Neil. However, other views are used later in the story. There are also clearly labelled flashbacks. It can be read as a standalone, but the author mentions in the blurb that it is advantageous to have read book one – A Love Story. Book one revolves around Jamie, (Matthias’s brother) and Alexander. Neil works for Jamie. Other characters from books one and two make an appearance, but their backstory is not vital to understanding the arc between Matthias and Neil.
The manuscript I read was not the final proof. Therefore, I will not comment on the technical side of things. However, certain aspects are writing style. There is the odd autonomous body part – not as many as previous books in the series, so kudos for working on that. There is also the familiar scenario of giving hope with one sentence and taking it away with another. Though, again, the habit is less evident in this instalment.
Matthias can be a complete dick, but he tries, and I wanted to hug him. His controlled upbringing fostered resentment, jealously, and a raft of insecurities that kept him a loner. Essentially, Matthias is lost, and that anguish comes through loud and clear.
Neil hails from a background of trials, and out of it, he has a family that is protective of each other. How Neil guides Matthias through the nuances of the LGBTQ community and coming to terms with his past/sexuality is sweet and informative. He is firm, sets boundaries, and is understanding. I also liked the way that space and time are allowed for the acceptance of feelings, the budding relationship, family issues, and other aspects of the world in which Matthias and Neil live. Nothing is a quick fix. There are ups and downs, and many characters are in therapy. But, to read the journey the two take, was lovely.
For me, A Healing Story is my favorite of the three. The tale flowed well, and the storyline was one I kept track of and enjoyed. There was also a delicate balance between home, work, love, drama—a well-rounded story.
RATING: 
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