Reviewed by True

TITLE: Proof of Life: An MM Hurt Comfort Romance

SERIES: Scars and Stripes Trilogy #1

AUTHOR: Raquel Riley

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 322 pages

RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2024

BLURB:

Love heals even the deepest wounds.

-West

After giving twelve years of my life to the service, I didn’t just lose my leg. I lost everything, including my career. When the dust settled, the only person still standing by my side in the rubble was Brandt —the single lifeline I had left to a world I didn’t want to live in anymore.

With painstaking care, he healed my body and my mind. When he eventually started healing my heart, I realized I didn’t just need him in my life, I needed him in ways I’d never wanted him before.

-Brandt

Watching West struggle every day was tearing me apart. If he could only see what I do, he wouldn’t see flaws and hopelessness. He’d see a courageous, selfless, brilliant leader. A guy with no filter, who always makes me laugh. Someone who never asks questions before offering to bail my ass out of trouble.

He’d see the man I’ve come to love as more than just my best friend.

Proof Of Life is a double bi-awakening MM romance between best friends, with a heavy dose of healing and angst. These courageous vets prove that when all is lost, love heals even the deepest, most painful wounds. Book one of the Scars And Stripes Trilogy.

REVIEW:

A unique friendship, that goes beyond being friends! Buddy’s for more than twelve years. Not afraid to show their affection for each other.

Both are stationed in Afghanistan, a team working together, until there’s a devastating grenade impact, and there are only two left.

What they have been through is indescribable, I had to stop reading more than once because of my tears.
My heart hurt for them. On the other hand, they are so bluntly downright with their dark sense of humor, I laughed out loud.
The author did such a great job of keeping the much needed humor present.

“Just…Don’t ever feel sorry for me. If I thought you pitied me, I would kill myself in a hot second.”

West understands he has to survive if only to save Brandt, they need each other more than ever.
Brandt doesn’t want to lose the only thing that matters in life, West!
Watch how both men are going through all the matters to understand they also have to keep living for themselves! Glorious!

If there’s any read where hurt palpable is, it’s here, in this story! Two men drowning, fighting to keep their heads above the water.

“Three legs. You can’t fall with three legs.” My heart, when you understand the circumstances it’s spoken!

Feelings are all over the place, not just some, nooo, everything is in square.
Love, hate, guilt, angst, anger, sadness, selflessness, joy, laughter.
All those demons to overcome.
Visible or hidden scars and injuries, they hurt like a mf!

Step by step, pun taken, they get in tune with the world again, and even more with each other, something I did not doubt about. There’s so much love and respect!

“We’re a fucking tripod, baby.”

Brandt, sweet sweet selfless Brandt, my goodness what a guy I loved him so deeply, and West, man you did so good, applause and deep bow.

Another deep bow for the author! What a glorious heartfelt story!

My first 5+++ stars rating of 2024

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon