I, like most readers, love M/M romance, fully cognizant of the idealized depiction of a perfectly inclusive environment for its LGBTQ+ characters. A world where all men, women, and other-gendered persons are comfortable with their sexuality and have no worry about others not agreoing with how they’ve decided to live. ‘Broken Man’ tells an equally important story–one of internalized homophobia, homophobic violence, and toxic masculinity–along with the HEA of a romance novel.
Gritty and realistic, ‘Broken Man’ tells the story of a hard-fought happy ending between Luke and Tristan. Luke has such insecurity and low self-esteem that he is incapable of giving Tristan what he’s dreamed of his whole life–an open relationship with the man he loves. It takes several years and a near tragedy for Luke to finally vocalize his love for Tristan. There’s plenty of angst throughout the book, but ends on a satisfying note.
I’ve listened to a few David Allen Vargo narrations in the past. In ‘Broken Man’ some of his voices seem a bit strained, but overall his performance conveys the emotional nature of Michaels’ story well.
This review is posted voluntarily after receipt of a requested ARC.
Recommended.