Isolated by the dark secrets he carries, Grant Wilkinson, the damaged and decorated war hero, has always seen himself as a monster. He’s finally getting his life on track by embracing the help he needs from Renata Koreman, the equally damaged little mouse.André Chevalier saw Grant and Renata’s ragged edges as puzzle pieces that would fit flawlessly together. He made the right decision when he put … when he put the Monster and the Mouse together.
There’s just one problem:
Did Grant murder his father?
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This isn’t the telling of a story, in as much as it’s like watching the struggles of two people being guided by our beloved Andre’ Chevalier….Renata Koreman, just a child really when she came to him, mostly broken from a childhood of neglet & abuse, both pysically and mentally. .When she was 13, she and her foster brother Jamie ran away together, they lived on the street and slept in cardboard boxes, ate from trash cans, to her it wasn’t any different than living at home. She felt like she fit in with street people and felt “normal” for the first time in her life. She did enjoy sexual intimacy with many, she felt pleasure, affection and love. Jamie was her protector and best friend until one morning she woke to find Jamie dead beside her. Her Uncle Bob is called from a Psychiatric hospital about his niece , who will be 18 in three months, has been admitted. His friend , Doctor Jay Johson gave him Andre’s name. He will pay any amount to be rid of her. He is running for office and can’t have this embarrassment.
She is now 22 years old, has a degree in Psycology and works as a Sexual Surrogate that recieves payment for her Therapeutic servies. She has has worked with many refered to her by Andre’, but she wants someday to fall in love, have a home and children.
The second person I refer to is Grant Wilkinson, an ex-Army Ranger. He is badly disfigured and saw himself as a monster. He also carries aorund a lifetime of secrets and guilt that makes him isolate himself He is also an alcoholic, as was his father who is now dead. Drunk, he fell to his death. ..He left the Army on his 28th birthday and sought out Andre’ Chevalier five months later. He was highly recommended as one who helps people with deal with PTSD, stress and sexual problems…..Now, we know how smooth Andre’ is and his talent for getting to the heart of the matter, and so , over the coming months, sessions comsist of everything from hiking to camping and Grant opens up with Andre’s guidance and speaks of the games, the sexual abuse that went on at the hands of his own father. He speaks of the guilt & shame he feels for not protecting his younger brother when it started for him. His father committed the blackest of sins, but as a child,there was nothing he could do. After one such session, Grant felt mentally & physically beat, worn-out, but lighter somehow. Relieved, unburdened. Freed. In another session Andre’ brings up women. He learns that Grant has no experiwnce with women, they make him nervous, He has only had sex that he has paid for. Never a relationship.
Andre’, says “Mon ami”.. his dark eyes shine with enthusiasm. ” This is most auspicious. Oui, oui, most auspicious. I have exactly the perfect woman for you”
Now don’t go thinking that this is a boy meets girl kind of thing, they fall in love and live happily ever after……Oh hell no! there is so much more going on between the lines here and people I haven’t mentioned, on purpose. I never saw this coming, so you shouldn’t either! There is so much more to come….. Niiki, you went above and beyond with this one Girl! Too bad there’s only 5 stars!
I was so afraid of Grant being accused that I never stopped to consider how I would react. This rollercoaster of joy, elatiin, and growth is shadowed by the trauma and wide reaching dark cloud that is Grant’s father.
I can only cling to my hope like Grant that more facts will muddy the waters. Its safe to say Mr. Wilkinson deserved what he got and more…
I just hope our mouse and our monster get their happily ever after.
#audiobookobsessionreviewer
Loved it
Grant and Renata are slowly helping each other heal. The past abuse still plays a huge role in their lives, but it is so touching to watch them work through it, together. They fit perfectly together. Where one is weak, the other is strong. They completely understand each other. I love Grant and Renata together. But once again, the road is not smooth. Grant is accused of killing his father. The twists and turns become intense. I found myself holding my breath and I certainly could not stop listening. I had to immediately jump into the last book in the series.
Robert Scarlato consistantly narrates André in a swoon worthy manner. Robert is able to narrate every emotion, fear and attitude Grant has and bring him to life. So many times, I felt as if I was right there witnessing the struggles. Renata is just as intricate of a character as Grant. Robert narrates her just as I imagined her. Mr. Scarlato’s narration enhanced the story experience.