Reviewed by Kat

TITLE: Three Wrong Turns 

AUTHOR: Tarian P.S.

PUBLISHER: Talon P.S./TPS Publishing

LENGTH: 666 Pages

RELEASE DATE: August 7th, 2024

BLURB:

Pika never wanted to leave his Hawai’ian home, but his father ripped that from him. Now, every day, he lives under the threat of his ol’man’s fist and the toxic malediction from a new stepmother. He’s learned to cope within this hellish existence, while keeping all eyes out towards the horizon where his escape into freedom and a better life awaits him. He just needs to keep his head down low, long enough to finish school, then he’ll be free to get away forever. Adding to his responsibility, he does all he can to shield his new stepsister, Ripley, from the same abuse.

Upsetting the status quo, wouldn’t you know it? A cool, tall drink of Japanese alluring adventure walked into his life, tempting his heart with an invitation of love, and pointing the way towards a happy life, while putting him all that much more at risk.

The prospect of this new relationship is starting to strangle him, cornering him into a no-win situation, as he juggles between personal fulfillment and hope against masking under isolation for the sake of self-preservation.

Coming-of-Age Gay Fiction / A Masterpiece / Drama / Teen Trauma / Mixed Race / Wallflower Teen / Surviving Abuse / Hawai’ian Culture & Language & Pidgin Dialect / Endure for a Better Life / Life Against all Odds / Psychological / Protects a Step-Sibling / First Dates / Toxic Home / Abuse / Trauma / Refuse to be Broken / Best of Best-friends / Love is a Simple Life / Overcoming Hate / Meet-Cute-First love / Everyone Can See It / Grief & Coping / Finding a New Beginning / Bittersweet Survival / Gut-wrenching / Ugly cries / Trigger Warnings / Bittersweet HEA / Hard Earned HEA

REVIEW:

I have always admired Author Tarian P.S. and their strength on taking on the really hard subjects that plague our society. This book touched deeply because of my years in education working with some of our most vulnerable students. Please be prepared, the warnings posted in the blurb in red are there for a reason. However, if you think this book won’t trigger anything personally I highly recommend this deep dive into what children do endure daily at the hands of those that were suppose to love and protect them. I also hope it opens your eyes to what may be happening around you and hopefully push you to make a call to protect these kids.

Pika had never wanted to move to California with his ol’ man after his mother’s tragic death. He was a Hawaii boy, born in the warm waters on the north shore of Oahu,  and he was deep in its culture and traditions. But that wasn’t his choice and the courts sent him back to his abusive dad who could careless about what Pika wanted. Just shut up and stay in school. And if he didn’t graduate in time was no concern to his ol’ man. Just go another year. But Pika had other plans. Graduate early and find a safe place for his step-sistah and him to get away from the constant physical and mental abuse they were forced to endure under the hands of their parents. When a gorgeous Japanese boy takes a fancy to Pika he knows he must resist the temptation. His ol’ man is a homophobic abuser that will explode if he gets any clue that Pika might be gay. But temptations are hard to resist when they show a better life and love Pika hasn’t experienced since his Mom’s death.

I’m going to warn you straight up…this story is an emotional rollercoaster that shreds your heart apart. The atrocities that were committed against both Pika and Ripley no child should ever be subjected to. The fact that CPS, the police, teachers and neighbors bore witness to the injuries they both were repeatedly subjected to was a total failure. But, unfortunately it happens, especially when the mother of a minor is a porn star that will do anything to get the people responsible to watch out the look the other way or flat out ignore it. And this wasn’t some slum area. They were in a house and the father was gainfully employed at a very successful business. And Pika and Rip were repeatedly threatened if they ever told the truth. But that truth can wear a child down and they no longer see a way out. Unfortunately Rip could no longer see a way to the light. What she chose was also for what she saw as a way to save her step-brother after years of him protecting and saving her. No, it wasn’t the way out but the only way she could see any more. She could no longer see any kind of hope 😞

If you can find yourself able to read this tragedy, which I really hope you can, my hope is that it opens your eyes to what is around you. Kids are suffering every day at the hands of those that are suppose to love and protect them. This novel is not some sweet MM romance. It is gritty and its purpose, in my humble opinion, is to get awareness out so more children do not wind up like Pika and Ripley. And to hopefully save them to the fate that Rip finally caved to.

RATING:

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