Ben’s life appears perfect. He has a career to shine in and a beautiful family. But his marriage is over, and being a small-town cop is turning into a dead-end job.Hot-headed troublemaker Donnie is used to being side-eyed by the fuzz. Getting dragged into the station for a crime he didn’t commit is no big surprise – but a cop who gives a damn sure is.Ben has no clue how much a second encounter … second encounter with the secretive redneck will shake up his life. Donnie’s sullen vulnerability arouses a passion Ben hasn’t felt for a long time. Soon, nothing matters but helping Donnie fight his demons. Can they carve a new life together out of the ashes?
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This is an angst filled romance. That does not mean it is a bad storyline, just a lot of worrying and depressing scenes.
I’m always happy to read about characters that are not GFY. That trope is okay when I’m in the mood, but in this book, one MC is bisexual, and the other is gay (as far as I can tell).
We meet Ben as he is being told his wife wants a divorce. He seems to have his head on straight, and deals with situations as they arise. However, he is a worry wart, which adds a bit to the angst.
Donnie, on the other hand, is introduced when Ben’s partner gets a little overzealous and brings him in to be charged for a crime. Ben sees right away that perhaps his partner is out of line, and shows kindness to this stranger.
This is not an Insta-attraction trope, which is also refreshing. It’s not until a chance encounter brings the MCs together again that the MCs actually speak. This is a slow burn romance that is complicated due to circumstances both of past relationships and of mistakes from the past.
One of the things I would have liked to see would have been a a little more about Donnie and his brother’s past, although we do get enough to tide us over. But, it is mentioned several times, even toward the end, that Ben feels like Donnie might be reluctant to reveal certain things.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It kept me engaged, even through the angst.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. *
Mel Gough is a completely new author to me, and this first book absolutely blew me away. There’s a lot going on, with Ben’s marriage, Donnie and his brother (and all of their secrets), Ben’s best friend and hothead Jason (somehow instantly unlikeable – or is it just me?), Ben’s dissatisfaction with his job…. And yet Gough manages to bring all of that together, spending enough time on each relationship and storyline to feel like everything is moving along and you’re getting to know most of the characters. That’s a hell of a feat in one book which is also setting the scene for a series. I liked Ben a lot as a character, kind and considerate, but I gotta admit to a big soft spot for the self-effacing Donnie who I just want to cuddle until his self esteem grows. There’s a good few emotional moments in this book, including (not wanting to give any spoilers) one serious pull-at-the-heartstrings bit with Donnie and Floyd that I was so struck by I couldn’t even cry.
Not my usual pink n fluffy read, but so beautifully done I forgive everything.
Recommended with tissues to hand.
I received this book as an ARC. The above is my honest review.
Ben’s life isn’t going the way he thought it would. With a marriage failing, a daughter he doesn’t see enough, and a job that’s going nowhere the overwhelming feeling above everything is loneliness. When he encounters a defiant yet vulnerable younger man in his partner’s handcuffs he doesn’t fully realize just how much change is headed his way. But Donnie’s life is nowhere near ready for the affection and devotion Ben could offer. If they can’t find a way to bridge the gap between their worlds, their loneliness and demons just might swallow them whole.
From start to finish there was so much pain. For most of the book there wasn’t a feeling of when it would end, though small moments of peace were there. Their journey is traumatic, gritty, and heartbreaking. Knowing their story will be continued in A New Life doesn’t exactly help matters, it only serves to prolong the feeling of angst and apprehension. But with all the raw emotions and situations they faced, they forged a connection that was tested and came out victorious in the end.
The writing style for these characters was pretty jarring. Especially Donnie’s perspective. It was stilted and awkward to say the least. I’m not sure what the overall feeling trying to be achieved was, but it just read awkwardly. The confessions came a little early for my tastes because it was after emotional and physical chaos, during vulnerability, and without a lot of foundation to support it. Not that I didn’t believe that they could feel it, just that it wasn’t exactly revisited in a way that felt grounded and stable. I also felt that the connection between them was lacking. With more of a build-up or things shared in common it would have been more genuine. The ending was pretty nice with a few things wrapped up and reconciliations that spoke of an open hope. Whether their story stays happy, though, that’s the question. I don’t know how much more angst I can handle as they live their new life.
I’ve read through some of the older reviews of this book, which listed issues that I didn’t see in the version I read. The British sayings and overuse of “buddy” weren’t here. Nothing distracted me from the fact that this was a very complicated and sad story.
Ben was dealing with the end of his marriage when he met Donnie, and Donnie was coping with an incredibly sad life. Both men were lonely and in need of someone who cared. They became that for each other, and I was happy about that. I found both men to be good hearted and determined, and I loved how each wanted to support the other. Though Ben seemed to be more emotionally stable than Donnie, there were times when that wasn’t the case. Donnie really stepped up then. They fell for each other quickly, but I didn’t have a problem with that in this instance. Surrounded by chaos, everyone needs to cling to something or someone real. Ben and Donnie were that for each other.
Though my heart was heavy throughout much of this book, I was unable to turn away. These men needed and deserved happiness, and I was very pleased with their efforts to find that. I felt that each was a good influence on the other, and with the help of some good secondary characters, I think the end of this book was positive and hopeful. I’m very glad I read this, and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
–This one’s hard- 4 star plot, 2.5-3 star execution–
I’m learning to always expect an interesting and different story when I pick up a book by this author. A World Apart was definitely that. The unique plot and burdened characters instantly grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. I loved how Donnie and Ben came into one another’s life unexpectedly, but right when their unwavering support and love was needed most. The gentle connection between the men was perfect, and though the romance progressed quickly, these two fit so well that I didn’t find myself questioning things. I also liked how A World Apart resolved, leaving room for the couple to grow as the series continues but also delivering a satisfyingly happy conclusion.
Despite having a unique plot with beautifully flawed characters, there were aspects that caused A World Apart to fall short for me. I read the second edition of this novel and though overall it reads okay, some parts disrupted the flow. Most of the book is told from Ben’s point-of-view. The pace and style was a little stilted, but generally good and natural. Alternately, the few times the narrative is told from Donnie’s point-of-view, it’s stylized very differently. Not only is the text italicized, but there’s also an awkward switch to past tense that significantly jumbled the story’s flow. Honestly, it reminded me of horror or ghost stories where some unknown third party has a point-of-view, and just didn’t work for me in this story. I also found the intimate scenes between Donnie and Ben disjointed and almost uncomfortable. Some of that was purposeful and did a great job at getting the characters’ uneasiness across to the reader, but those scenes never melted me as much as the emotional exchanges the characters shared. Overall, A World Apart offered up a unique and memorable story with intriguing characters and I’m tempted to continue reading the series. If you can look beyond some execution baubles, Donnie and Ben’s story is definitely worth it.
*eARC received via author’s ARC group*
Ben is a police officer whose picture perfect life is going nowhere good. A marriage that is falling apart – fears of losing his child when his wife needs to put distance between them. And his job feels like a dead end. Then he meets Donnie.
Donnie is a rabble-rouser used to being in the sights of the law. But he isn’t used to the hot cop who seems to care about getting to the real truth. Meeting again at an AA meeting leads to a life changing connection. But life is complicated, even with an instalove connection.
A World Apart by Mel Gough is the first book in the Loving Again series. it is not a light read. This book covers some heavy subject matter, including domestic violence/abuse, illness, and addiction. It is a well developed and well written story with relateable and likeable characters. Its an emotional read… with a mix of sweet moments, suspenseful situations and intense drama. You care about these strong but hurting men and you want them to have a Happily Ever After. Like real life though, that wont come so easy. I am looking forward to continuing the journey with Nen and Donnie in book two.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
A World Apart was everything I’ve come to expect from the author, compelling characters and an engaging storyline that instantly pulled me in. Another enjoyed read from Mel Gough.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
I really enjoyed this story. Certainly wasn’t a pretty, easy story. But I like how Donnie and Ben’s story was told. Their story wasn’t easy but I liked that problems weren’t ignored or hidden from each other. It was hot and sexy as well, but the struggle to get to the other side of their romance is definitely the integral part. I enjoyed how these two men from different worlds found a way to each other. I definitely recommend this story.